Military Community · Community Spirit
RED Friday:
Remember Everyone Deployed
Every Friday, communities across America wear red to honor the men and women serving overseas. Here's what RED Friday means — and how Santa Clarita Valley can show up.
Published July 10, 2026 · by Sam Silver
If you've ever seen someone in a red shirt on a Friday and wondered why — there's a good chance they're participating in RED Friday. It's a simple, powerful tradition that says to our deployed service members: we haven't forgotten you.
As a U.S. Army veteran, I can tell you from personal experience that one of the hardest parts of deployment isn't the danger, the heat, or the long hours — it's the wondering. Wondering if people back home are thinking about you. Wondering if your sacrifice is seen. RED Friday is a way for communities to answer that question with a resounding yes.
In this article, I'll explain what RED Friday is, where it came from, why it matters — and how Santa Clarita Valley can make it a community-wide tradition.
What Is RED Friday?
RED Friday stands for Remember Everyone Deployed. It's a weekly tradition — typically observed every Friday — where supporters wear red as a visible sign of solidarity with military members currently serving overseas, far from their families and homes.
The concept is beautifully simple: put on something red on Friday — a shirt, a bracelet, a ribbon, a hat — and you're telling the world, and especially the families of deployed service members, that their loved ones are not forgotten. It costs nothing. It takes no special planning. And yet its impact resonates.
RED Friday has roots in military spouse communities and has grown through social media and word of mouth into a nationwide movement. You'll see it at schools, workplaces, sporting events, churches, and community gatherings — everywhere people want to show that support for our troops is more than a bumper sticker.
Why This Matters to Me
When I served in the Army, I deployed like so many others — leaving behind family, friends, and the daily life I knew. And I can tell you: those small gestures from home meant more than people realize. A letter, a care package, a photo from a hometown parade — they were reminders that the sacrifice had purpose, that someone on the other side of the world was carrying you in their thoughts.
RED Friday distills that into something anyone can do. You don't need to write a letter or send a package. You just need to wear red and be willing to explain why when someone asks. That conversation — "I'm wearing red to Remember Everyone Deployed" — is itself an act of awareness and gratitude.
"When you're deployed, the distance isn't just physical — it's emotional. Knowing that people back home are thinking about you, wearing red for you, carrying your name in their hearts — that closes the gap. It makes the mission bearable."
I've carried that understanding into my civilian life. As a Special Olympics coach, as a community advocate, and as someone who works with veterans and military families every day in Santa Clarita Valley, I see how powerful it is when a community rallies around its people. RED Friday is one of the easiest, most visible ways to do that.
How SCV Can Rally Around RED Friday
Santa Clarita Valley has a proud military community. Here are practical ways our neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and organizations can make RED Friday a valley-wide tradition.
Local Businesses Display Red
Restaurants, shops, and offices across Valencia, Saugus, Newhall, and Canyon Country can display red ribbons on their doors, hang "Remember Everyone Deployed" signs in their windows, and encourage employees to wear red every Friday. It's free visibility and genuine community spirit.
Schools Wear Red
SCV schools — from elementary campuses in Saugus to Hart District high schools — can designate RED Friday as a spirit day. Kids love spirit days, and this one teaches gratitude and civic awareness. Teachers can share age-appropriate stories about what deployment means and why community support matters.
Community Groups Share Stories
Neighborhood associations, HOAs, church groups, and service organizations can use RED Friday as an opportunity to highlight local deployed members — with their families' permission — sharing photos, letters, or stories on community boards and social media. Humanizing the acronym makes it real.
Post & Tag on Social Media
Share a photo wearing red every Friday with #REDFriday and #RememberEveryoneDeployed. Tag local SCV pages and groups. The more visible it is, the more families of deployed members feel seen — and the more people learn about the tradition.
Host a RED Friday Gathering
Organize a monthly or quarterly RED Friday event — a casual meetup at a local park, a coffee morning, a cookout — where military families and veterans can connect. The City of Santa Clarita's Veterans Historical Plaza in Newhall is a natural gathering spot.
Send Care Packages
Take RED Friday one step further by assembling and sending care packages to deployed units. Local organizations like Guardians SCV and VFW posts can help coordinate. Include snacks, toiletries, letters of encouragement, and a note that says "Santa Clarita Valley remembers you."
Why Red?
Red is the color of courage, of sacrifice, and of the blood shed by service members defending our freedom. It's also the color of the red ribbon — a universal symbol of awareness and remembrance. Wearing red on RED Friday connects you to a lineage of patriotic observance that stretches back through generations of American military history.
There's also something beautifully direct about the color. When you see a sea of red at a school assembly, a Friday night football game, or a local coffee shop, the message is immediate and unmistakable: we remember.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does RED Friday stand for?
RED Friday stands for Remember Everyone Deployed. It's a weekly tradition observed every Friday where people wear red to show support for military members who are currently deployed overseas, far from their families and homes.
When is RED Friday?
RED Friday is observed every Friday of the year. There is no single designated date — the tradition is ongoing and week-round. Many participants wear red every Friday, while others observe on specific Fridays that hold personal or community significance, such as the Friday before Memorial Day or Veterans Day.
How can I participate in RED Friday?
Participation is simple: wear something red every Friday — a shirt, a hat, a bracelet, a ribbon, a tie, or any red accessory. When someone asks about it, share the meaning behind RED Friday. You can also post on social media with the hashtags #REDFriday and #RememberEveryoneDeployed, display a red ribbon at your home or business, or organize a RED Friday event in your neighborhood or workplace.
Who started RED Friday?
RED Friday is widely attributed to military spouses and family members who wanted a simple, visible way to show solidarity with deployed loved ones. It grew organically through military communities and social media into a nationwide movement. There is no single founder or organization behind it — it's a grassroots tradition born from love and gratitude.
Is RED Friday only for military families?
Absolutely not. RED Friday is for everyone. While it was started by military families, the tradition has been embraced by civilians, businesses, schools, churches, and community organizations across the country. Anyone can participate — you don't need a personal connection to a deployed service member to show your support and gratitude.
Are there RED Friday events in Santa Clarita Valley?
RED Friday is a grassroots tradition, so participation varies. Schools, churches, and community groups in SCV have embraced it informally. If you'd like to help organize a RED Friday event — a gathering, a care package drive, or a social media campaign — reach out through santaclaritaevents.com and we can help spread the word.
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Service Before Self
RED Friday is personal to me. I've been on the other side of that deployment — far from home, wondering if anyone back home remembered. I can tell you: they did. And that knowledge carried me through.
If you're a military family in Santa Clarita Valley — whether you're currently dealing with a loved one's deployment, navigating the transition back to civilian life, or just looking for a community that understands — I'm here. And if you're looking for a home in a valley that takes care of its own, let's talk.
This article was written by Sam Silver for santaclaritaevents.com. RED Friday is a grassroots community tradition and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any branch of the U.S. military or the Department of Defense. Information is provided for community awareness and support purposes. This is not intended as a solicitation if you are currently working with another real estate broker. All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified.
