Are you wearing red today?
Today is the first part of a four part series on the Red Friday Ladies. They are the women behind the huge movement here in Canada known as Red Friday. I hope this series will give you a better understanding of exactly what Red Friday is, why we do it and why it is something I fully stand behind.
What is Red Friday?
Red Friday is a way for Canadians to show our troops and their families that we support them. It is about showing our pride, gratitude and appreciation. When we have lost a soldier it is a way to show their families that they are not alone and our thoughts and prayers are with them. Yes our words can do the same but while wearing red we can say it all without saying a word.
How did Red Friday begin?
Red Friday began in 2001 via an e-mail circulating around the internet in the US. It had the same basic message however it was also very political so people did not latch on to the idea. In 2005 the e-mail started making it’s way around Canada. However again it was still very political and had a negative message. Karen and Lisa thought the message itself of wearing red was a wonderful idea. So they re-wrote the e-mail to be patriotic, non-political and a positive message. They then sent their version to local media and started spreading the message across the internet. The media loved the idea and the message and in no time Karen and Lisa were talking to local media about it. The message was also making leaps and bounds across the internet and people across Canada were stating to get on board. Red Friday was officially here.
Please come by next Friday when I will be introducing you to Karen and Lisa.
Attention readers in the Ottawa/Petawawa Region!!
On May 6th the 3rd annual Run for Military Families will be held starting in Ottawa and finishing in Petawawa with a Red Friday Rally. For more information visit Commissionaires Ottawa or the facebook event page.