Last term, my female student worker observed that I wear red every Friday. It's very simple, but it's not my idea. My father worked with a bunch of prior military folks who all banded together each Friday to wear red shirts. RED stands for Remember Everyone Deployed. It's a simple thing they do to remind them of people elsewhere doing some heavy lifting in a way that's not too much in your face but that brings some espirit de corps not only to his work group but also to the military assets the organization supported. In some ways, it's similar to the poppy in the UK, but the poppy is worn less frequently, and it's an additional accoutrement attached to the rest of your garb and sold on top of regular shopping for special programs in favor of the fighting man. The red shirt is simple, and that's why it appeals to me.
At the simplest level, the red shirt serves as a way of remembering people. In particular, this observance remembers particular people- people who are elsewhere in dangerous places doing things to make our lives better. Specifically, this observance keeps its eye on military members, but even if you don't know anyone in the military, you do know people who put their lives on the line both literally or figuratively speaking to improve yours. Red, the color of blood, signifies at least in one way sacrifice. We are taught that those who lose their lives in the service of others have the highest degree of love, and when you wear red to remember them, you show you value their sacrifice. Other organizations adopt similar color schemes like Red Nose Day or Red ribbons, or what have you. It's a way to remember those who lose their lives so that we can find a better one for ourselves.
Wearing a red shirt gives you an opportunity to make an outward sign that is not obvious. A lot of people like to proudly proclaim what organization/movement they support. We frequently festoon ourselves with pins or brands or other signets so that people know what we advocate. Sometimes those outward conveyances attract people to us; other times, people assume based on something that they should shy away. I know people have decided based on what I share publicly to part with me permanently. However, wearing a shirt of a particular color without any other provisos besides the color and extent of color doesn't alarm anyone who doesn't know. Being vague as to pattern differentiates you from having gang colors. People who know in secret will recognize you openly, and people who don't know just know you wore a red shirt.
One of the best things about red shirt Friday is the way it provides for a chance to regularly show solidarity as and for a group. We all know about Casual Fridays or Pajama Day in school and similar things, and some people like to wear uniforms or camouflage which might be to show solidarity for military personnel, but we know that sometimes people do that in order to pretend and portend to honors they have not earned. Each Friday, members of my father's workplace proudly don a red shirt and show solidarity not only for the unit but for units of servicemen everywhere. Although those people may not see it, many of them know that's what's happening at home, and the show of support even unseen helps bolster morale.
Many people have fuzzy memories and short lived relationships with people. I see people with note cards, strings around their fingers, tatoos, patches, pins, ad infinitum, all of which they use to help them remember what is urgent and important. Now, you may not agree with our fighting men, but they are urgent and important to someone. They have family, battle buddies, units, neighbors, friends, and often lovers who think of them often and highly. The red shirt is an invitation to remember that there are people out there doing heavy lifting for you. It is said that only 3% of Americans serve in the military voluntarily. For them, it's a small thing, but if you are alone, cold, hungry, and under fire, it's probably nice to know that someone somewhere's thinking about you, remembering you, and showing solidarity with you even if they're not physically there. It's nice to be remembered.
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