Jessica Barker

R.E.D. Friday stands for “Remember Everyone Deployed.” It is a grassroots tradition in which civilians, veterans, and military families wear red clothing every Friday to honor service members serving overseas. The movement emerged in the mid-2000s from a U.S. chain email and Canadian events led by military spouses Lisa Miller and Karen Boier. Red symbolizes sacrifice, valor, and blood shed in defense of freedom. Participants simply wear a red shirt, tie, or accessory as a visible, non-political reminder that deployed troops and their families are not forgotten. The weekly gesture aims to boost morale among those far from home and keep their service in public awareness amid daily life. It requires no official organization—only the choice to remember those standing watch abroad. The practice remains widespread among supporters who want a simple, consistent way to show solidarity. @TrumpRocksAgain @RealPeteBennett @River_City @Cairnlodge1 @apgumbeaux @GabiNga1 @ToniLL22 @MFischerHawley @knmnng9b8t @James067348351 @MelissaLand87 @jexykabarker @JustaGina @WeDoNotKneel @LanieASassyVet @RedTsunami77 @SMHatLibs @RighterThanRigh @kevanhubbell @Baldo04555156 @LindaNTx @Outs45 @1109Patricia @rebel_jyn @Beth_2727 @NancyMar2025 @bandsmom1_no @A_RottieLover @UNCgirl33 @lah3309 @NoFknTrains13 @rosejam181920 @MikePIMarine

Biden’s Afghanistan Withdrawal: Chaos, Casualties, and Stupidity. The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 under President Biden was marked by rapid collapse of Afghan forces, a chaotic evacuation from Kabul, and significant losses. Critics described the process as poorly executed, with an abrupt timeline that left partners exposed. Thirteen U.S. service members—11 Marines, one Navy corpsman, and one soldier—were killed on August 26, 2021, when an ISIS-K suicide bomber detonated at Abbey Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport. The attack also killed approximately 170 Afghan civilians. Beyond the 13 Americans, thousands of Afghan interpreters, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and other partners who had worked with U.S. and NATO forces were left behind or stranded as the Taliban seized control. NATO allies had formally agreed in April 2021 to withdraw in coordination with the United States after Biden announced the September 11 deadline. However, several European officials later complained that detailed operational consultation was limited and that the U.S. decision effectively dictated the alliance’s timeline, including the early closure of Bagram Airfield. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated allies were consulted, yet some governments said the execution felt unilateral. U.S.-provided equipment that remained after the Afghan government’s collapse totaled an estimated $7.12 billion, according to a 2022 Department of Defense report to Congress and SIGAR findings. This was material previously transferred to Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, not U.S. troop equipment (most of which was removed or destroyed). Key categories included: Aircraft and helicopters: 78 aircraft valued at $923 million, including UH-60 Black Hawks and other rotary-wing assets. Many at Kabul airport were demilitarized; others were flown out by Afghan pilots or captured. Vehicles: Over 40,000 of roughly 96,000 provided, including thousands of Humvees and MRAPs (value ~$4.1 billion). Small arms and weapons: More than 300,000 of 427,300 items, encompassing rifles, pistols, machine guns, and other firearms (value $512 million). No complete item-by-item public list of every handgun exists. Munitions: 9,524 air-to-ground munitions plus additional ammunition stocks. U.S. forces rendered much equipment at the airport inoperable before departure. The Taliban subsequently displayed and, in some cases, operated captured items. The withdrawal ended 20 years of U.S. military presence but left a mixed legacy of lives lost and hardware remaining in Afghanistan. @RealPeteBennett @RealRandyWade1 @LindaNTx @MelissaLand87 @River_City @UnsinkableDolly @WeDoNotKneel @LanieASassyVet @PecanC8 @1109Patricia @jexykabarker @ToniLL22 @emma6USA @NancyMar2025 @Outs45 @MichaelNix7314 @bandsmom1_no @Todd4USA @tikiangels2 @sunshinentan2 @missusotomro @RamboGirl1234 @A_RottieLover @Okieboy63 @thejavawitch2 @pr0ud_americans @MagaGrunt1 @JCook8382 @Edajr1978 @RedTsunami77 @Libby4Liberty0 @Libertys_Belle @JLF_FineArt