Movement shows support of U.S. military

Participation is easy – just wear red on Fridays

Looking at the Yuma Sun’s weekly column, Veterans Scene, one can’t help but notice a reoccurring theme for Fridays, as several organizations note: “wear red to support troops.”

Out of curiosity, the Yuma Sun editorial board decided to look up the movement online and found several websites dedicated to the idea.

One such site, redshirtfridays.org, notes the movement is about “showing support for our troops past or present; whether deployed, at home or abroad by wearing red every Friday.”

MarineParents.com, meanwhile, reports that the movement started in 2005, stating “This act of solidarity is intended to let American service members know that their sacrifices are recognized and appreciated, and that a grateful nation hasn’t forgotten what those service members do for us on a daily basis.”

It’s a symbolic gesture, but one that in a military town such as Yuma can have an impact.

After all, Yuma is home to two military installations: Yuma Proving Ground and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, as well as countless veterans of every Armed Forces branch in America.

The joy of a movement like this is the simple fact that showing support is free.

To participate, one does not have to buy a fancy shirt, or spend a fortune on a red jacket. One simply has to remember to wear something red on Fridays.

That in turn is enough to send a message of support to those who know what the movement is. And for those who don’t, wearing red on Fridays several weeks in a row might spark a question. “Hey Tim, why do you always wear red on Fridays?,” which opens the door to sharing the message of support with others.

In what other ways do you show support for the military, Yuma? Let us know. Share your thoughts at www.YumaSun.com, or send us a Letter to the Editor at letters@yumasun.com.