The Story
First Lieutenant Jonathan Edwards is a graduate of Texas A&M University, and is currently stationed in Fallujah, Iraq with the United States Marine Corps. He serves as the supply officer for the 3rd Marine Air Support Squadron (MASS-3).
Motorcars Ltd has always “Supported the Troops” in one form or another over the years, and about a year ago, we started wearing “red shirts” on Fridays in a show of a company and personal expression of “Support for Our Troops”. The number of our people wearing red shirts has steadily grown to the point where it is hard to not find a red-shirted member of our staff on Fridays.
Recently, employees of the company packed three boxes of “needed things” and sent them to Jonathan in hopes that it would make him smile… it did far more than make him smile – it made him and his fellow Marines happy – there were lots of “sharable” items in the boxes. That made us happy as well. But what really caught our attention was a note in one of the letters that “it was really nice to know that we had not been forgotten”.
To think that even one of these brave young men would ever believe that was disturbing to some of us, and we decided to simply take a picture of everyone in red shirts on a Friday and just send it to Jonathan. Our thought was that the Marines could put the picture on the wall in their “office” and know that Motorcars Ltd was behind them 100% and that we did more than just provide moral support – we wanted them to know that we were REALLY behind them.
The idea took a life of its own, and everyone started throwing ideas into the pot – “Why not have some Marines come over and have the picture taken with us?” They did. “Why not have some RED T-shirts made with “MASS-3” on them?” We did and everyone wore one. “Why not have a small BBQ and say thanks to the Marines that are coming over for the picture?” We did and everyone enjoyed talking to the young Marines. “Why not invite the media?” We did. “Why not invite the Marine Mothers?” The Marine Mothers were present and brought 85 Bandanas with the 91st Psalm on them, to give to MASS-3 for each of the Marines in the unit. We had a great turn out, the day ended with a group picture taken of all of the people who attended, wearing red shirts in support of Jonathan and his Marines in Fallujah.
Let there be no doubt: “They have NOT been Forgotten”.
Everyone in attendance signed a Texas A&M flag to be sent to Jonathan.
Yes, this was celebration and a demonstration of support, and we want any and all to know our message and to help us send that message.
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We Support Our Troops - Picnic and BBQ - Friday 15 February 2008
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