Members of the United States military deploy to locations around the world.
Various traditions have developed as ways to recognize and support deployed service members.
One such tradition is wearing red on Fridays, commonly referred to as RED Friday.
This practice is intended to acknowledge deployed troops and maintain public awareness.
1. What is RED Friday?
RED stands for Remember Everyone Deployed, and the term describes civilian and military families’ efforts to show their support for those deployed.
To show support, civilians and military families wear red on Fridays.
It isn’t easy to pin down the origins of this act of remembrance.
However, two stories illustrate the beginning of RED Friday.
In one story, an email circulating asked people to wear an article of red clothing on Friday and share the email with friends and family.
Others say the Canadians began the RED Friday by wearing red to support their soldiers.
Those in the United States picked up on the tradition.
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2. How Can I Participate in RED Friday?
Anyone can be a part of RED Friday.
You could wear a red tie, tee-shirt, or any other red visible article of clothing.
Some choose to wear a plain red piece of clothing, while others prefer to buy their RED shirts from companies that support non-profit organizations.
Others take a more subtle approach and wear a red tie pin or another article to demonstrate their support.
You can also work with the culture of your workplace by encouraging others to take part in the tradition of wearing red to show support of our troops.
If wearing red is not an option for you, there are other ways to support deployed service members.
For instance, Operation Gratitude sends care packages and letters to deployed troops to show appreciation.
Also, the United Service Organization (USO) is another way to support deployed troops and their families.
The USO is a highly adaptable organization that helps service members while on deployment, traveling, and transitioning back home.
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What People Get Wrong About RED Friday
RED Friday is often assumed to be an official military observance.
It is an informal tradition rather than a program endorsed by the Department of Defense.
Some believe RED Friday has a single, documented origin.
The exact beginnings are unclear, and multiple accounts describe how the practice spread.
It is also commonly misunderstood that participation is limited to military families.
The tradition is open to civilians and does not require military affiliation.
Another misconception is that wearing red on Fridays directly supports specific military operations.
The practice is symbolic and intended to show awareness and recognition rather than provide operational support.
Conclusion
Being away from home on deployment is often challenging for both the soldier and their family.
However, there are many ways you can show your support of our troops.
One way to visibly show your support is by wearing a red article of clothing on Fridays.
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