“Thousands of men and women have died in Iraq and Afghanistan since we invaded and toppled Saddam Hussein.  It’s become easier to ignore the casualties over time.  What follows is my attempt to make us care about just one of those fallen soldiers.  And in doing so, maybe we come to care about all of them.” - Mike Redding, Journalist

My friend Mike Redding is one of the most gifted writers in my business.  He has two National Edward R. Murrow Awards, 28 Emmys, 11 Associated Press awards, three National Gabriel Awards and one Missouri Broadcasters Association Award.  Therefore, it didn’t surprise me when I couldn’t stop crying after reading his fallen-soldier story called “One Soldier’s Death”  (link is below).  And, it didn’t surprise me that after reading that same story I thought a little harder and cared a little deeper for our military families.  And now, it still doesn’t surprise me to learn how that one story, about that one soldier, is sparking a national campaign to thank our troops.  It’s not only a reflection of Mike’s talents, but a reminder of how important it is to thank our military families.  This is why I feel compelled to share his story with you.

Mike traveled to Arlington National Cemetary with Sgt. Baldesingh’s wife and three young children for the burial of their husband/father.  The Marine was killed in Iraq on the last day American soldiers occupied Baghdad.  Mike wrote about his life, death, relationships, the last time he talked to his wife and the children whispering their goodbyes to daddy.  It was a moving piece and brought reaction from other soldiers.

Mike said men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan started reading the story and emailed him about how much it meant to them.  They felt like no one in America cared about their sacrifices anymore.  It broke Mike’s heart to think these men and women were risking their lives everyday and felt ignored by their own country.

This is how the Gratitude Wave came to fruition.  Mike wanted a way for more of us to say, “We still care, love and pray for you.”  He picked a date, time and is asking as many people as possible to change their Facebook pages and Twitter status to some brief words of gratitude for our troops.  Mike writes to me in an email, “You’ll be amazed at how many in the military are connected to social media…even on the front lines.”

Mike is calling it the Gratitude Wave and hopes you’ll take part at noon on Tuesday, November 24 (the week of Thanksgiving).

I strongly encourage you to log onto Mike’s website and read his touching story “One Soldier’s Death” and take part in the Gratitude Wave.

Thank you to our military and their families.  We do love you and have not forgotten!  ~ Ainsley