Red Shirt Brigade honors deploying, returning troops

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gaddie
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Whether it's sending local troops off for a deployment or welcoming them back home, Eglin's Red Shirt Brigade lets service members know they care.

The Red Shirt Brigade is an all-volunteer group of individuals from the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, who show their appreciation to incoming and outgoing service members by meeting and greeting them at the local airport.

The idea to form the group began with a conversation at the Exchange in September 2008.

"Ron Dougherty, the exchange's general manager at the time, decided we needed to do something to support the troops in our community," said Christi Cook, Red Shirt Brigade coordinator. "They're always there for us, always doing things for us, but we just couldn't decide what we could do. We didn't want to be intrusive, we just wanted to let them know we were there for them."
Dougherty came up with the idea of an all-volunteer group who could be at the airport and see off every outgoing or incoming deployed member.

"We dubbed it the Red Shirt Brigade because at the time, we had red AAFES shirts," Cook said.

Embroidered on each shirt is 'AAFES Red Shirt Brigade. We go where you go,' which is the AAFES motto.

"Our very first farewell was with security forces at o-dark-30 in the morning," Cook recalled. "We went out there to tell them we appreciate them, thank you for being here, be safe and return home. We just wanted them to know AAFES cared."

Since then, Cook estimated the Red Shirt Brigade has said hello and goodbye to more than 3,000 men and women from both Eglin and Hurlburt Field.

"Whether it's one person deploying or a team of 13 returning, no matter the time of day or night, Christi and her team of red shirts never miss a chance to be on hand to show their support by unfurling that huge 'Welcome Home' banner, which is a sight for sore eyes," said Senior Master Sgt. Roy Grubbs of the 96th Security Forces Squadron.  "It makes me feel really good to know we have that much support from not only the exchange but from private citizens as well. I really appreciate the Red Shirt Brigade's efforts to make our Airmen feel so appreciated for their sacrifices."

Outgoing troops receive gift bags containing a card stating 'AAFES thinks you're aces!', along with AAFES coupons and a deck of playing cards.

Cook remembered the first return group the Red Shirt Brigade greeted. In the group was a young airman who had no one there to meet him.

"It broke my heart," she said. "I decided at that point that no matter what I was doing, I would be there. It didn't matter if it was 1 a.m., or if I was the only person there, I would be there to welcome them home. Every man and woman in the armed forces deserves our support. That's why I do it."

Heather Goudy, also an AAFES employee, saw firsthand how a warm greeting can affect a deployed member's morale. As a Red Shirt Brigade member, she welcomed home her husband, Airman 1st Class Joshua Goudy, 96th SFS.

"It's really nice to be there to support the troops, and to be there for the spouses as well, because they have a hard time with the separations, too. I think they appreciate it. I know I appreciated it when my husband deployed."

Cook said anyone who wants be a part of the group can call 678-6842, ext. 221.