As we approach our nation’s 250th Independence Day, R.E.D. Friday military support is more vital than ever to honor our troops. While we prepare to celebrate at home, it is vital to remember that our freedom is maintained by the dedication of those serving far from home. This R.E.D. (Remember Everyone Deployed) Friday, we pause to honor the U.S. military personnel currently stationed overseas, ensuring our liberty remains secure.
Why R.E.D. Friday Military Support Matters
The R.E.D. Friday tradition encourages us to wear red to remember everyone deployed. For those in the military, knowing their community back home supports them provides a morale boost.
The Global Presence of U.S. Forces and R.E.D. Friday Military Support
The reach of the U.S. military is expansive, with personnel deployed globally to maintain security.
- Humanitarian Response: Military personnel are currently supporting earthquake relief in Venezuela.
- Maritime Assistance: The USS Fort Lauderdale and USS Billings are providing critical aid to support military operations.
Status Update: U.S.-Iran Relations
The geopolitical landscape in West Asia remains a focal point for our service members. As of July 1, 2026, the diplomatic situation is defined by a de-escalation effort, including a memorandum of understanding signed on June 17, 2026, to terminate military operations.
I am not a veteran. I am a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the United States Air Force Auxiliary. But in 1991, personal loss brought me to a place I never left.
Over two decades later, that loss led me to the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, Connecticut, where I took on the coordination of Wreaths Across America — which grew into the largest and fastest growing veterans program in the state. I didn’t do it for recognition. I did it for them.
In 2016 I founded the Connecticut Veterans Bulletin. Not because I served, but because I believe those who did deserve to be honored, connected, and kept alive.
Twenty-two veterans die by suicide every day. I knew about that number before it became a hashtag. I knew it personally, long before anyone was talking about it.
This publication exists because that number is unacceptable. Because every veteran in Connecticut deserves to know someone gives a damn.
That someone is me.