On Fridays, We Wear Red
May is Military Appreciation Month, a chance to celebrate and thank our active service members and veterans, as well as the spouses and families that support them. This year, our Military & Allies Resource Council (MARC) BRG is kicking off R.E.D. (Remember Everyone Deployed) Fridays. CDW coworker Andy Gorski led the initiative.
Andy
Regional Manager - Healthcare
I’ve always been very patriotic and in awe of our military. However, my love for “those who serve” went to a whole new level when my son enlisted in the US Army and headed to boot camp last July. Over the past ten months, I’ve learned a great deal about the sacrifices those who serve and their families make every day. I learned about RED Fridays from the Fort Benning support group, which is made up of military parents and spouses who help new military families like mine understand what is happening and why. RED stands for “Remember Everyone Deployed” and wearing red on Fridays helps to recognize those who have and are serving. From the first time we heard about RED Fridays, my wife Paula and I have worn red every Friday.
When I joined MARC last year, I put together an outline for CDW to support RED Fridays and my idea was met with excitement and support from my MARC teammates. Over the past few months, we’ve gotten incredible support from Coworker Services, Talent Acquisition and Marketing to help launch this.
It makes me proud of our company to see us recognize, remember and celebrate those who have and currently serve. CDW has current coworkers who are deployed around the world, so I’m hopeful that they hear about this and know we’re thinking of them.
CDW partnered with OscarMike.org to produce the official CDW RED Fridays shirts. OscarMike.org is a great organization that helps and encourages wounded warriors to compete in sports. Read on to learn why participating in RED Fridays is important to our coworkers and hear some of their favorite memories with MARC.
Mike
Director - Software Solutions
What do RED Fridays mean to you? It reminds me to recognize the ones that sacrifice to help protect and serve our country, and of my father who served in the Army as a MP.
Rocky
Field Solutions Architect - Collaboration
Retired, US Marine Corps
What do RED Fridays mean to you? I remember the times I was deployed. Sometimes to some very isolated places. It’s amazing how the smallest thing like a letter, email, or just knowing that people back home know you’re out there can mean so much. It’s important to always remember and acknowledge the men and women that are from home getting the job done.
Sarah
Sr. Manager - Small Business Marketing
What do RED Fridays mean to you? It is a great reminder to think of those service members that are currently deployed. It gives me a way to show my support for those service members who are protecting our freedoms and way of life.
What is your favorite MARC memory? Having our virtual lunches where we get to learn about all members and have some time together.
Dave
Manager - Configuration Center
US Navy, 1996-2007
What is your favorite MARC memory? I started out as a contractor at CDW. One of my earliest supervisors was an Army Vet and in the MARC group. He knew that I had a lot of underutilized talent, and he told me CDW was a large supporter of the military and discussed all that the company stood for. His words about the culture and always being dependable for his promises convinced me to stay, and once hired I joined MARC. Many promotions and a lot of hard work later I am currently a manager for the department and a proud supporter of the CDW way.
Mary
Bid Desk Manager, Bid Program Management Team
What is your favorite MARC memory? I am so proud to be a part of this amazing BRG! I have been a member of MARC for a little under a year and was introduced to many members during the Fort2Base event. It was so fun supporting the runners, cheering them on, and representing MARC and CDW!
CDW Coworkers
May is Military Appreciation Month, a chance to celebrate and thank our active service members and veterans, as well as the spouses and families that support them. This year, our Military & Allies Resource Council (MARC) BRG is kicking off R.E.D. (Remember Everyone Deployed) Fridays. CDW coworker Andy Gorski led the initiative.
Andy
Regional Manager - Healthcare
I’ve always been very patriotic and in awe of our military. However, my love for “those who serve” went to a whole new level when my son enlisted in the US Army and headed to boot camp last July. Over the past ten months, I’ve learned a great deal about the sacrifices those who serve and their families make every day. I learned about RED Fridays from the Fort Benning support group, which is made up of military parents and spouses who help new military families like mine understand what is happening and why. RED stands for “Remember Everyone Deployed” and wearing red on Fridays helps to recognize those who have and are serving. From the first time we heard about RED Fridays, my wife Paula and I have worn red every Friday.
When I joined MARC last year, I put together an outline for CDW to support RED Fridays and my idea was met with excitement and support from my MARC teammates. Over the past few months, we’ve gotten incredible support from Coworker Services, Talent Acquisition and Marketing to help launch this.
It makes me proud of our company to see us recognize, remember and celebrate those who have and currently serve. CDW has current coworkers who are deployed around the world, so I’m hopeful that they hear about this and know we’re thinking of them.
CDW partnered with OscarMike.org to produce the official CDW RED Fridays shirts. OscarMike.org is a great organization that helps and encourages wounded warriors to compete in sports. Read on to learn why participating in RED Fridays is important to our coworkers and hear some of their favorite memories with MARC.
Mike
Director - Software Solutions
What do RED Fridays mean to you? It reminds me to recognize the ones that sacrifice to help protect and serve our country, and of my father who served in the Army as a MP.
Rocky
Field Solutions Architect - Collaboration
Retired, US Marine Corps
What do RED Fridays mean to you? I remember the times I was deployed. Sometimes to some very isolated places. It’s amazing how the smallest thing like a letter, email, or just knowing that people back home know you’re out there can mean so much. It’s important to always remember and acknowledge the men and women that are from home getting the job done.
Sarah
Sr. Manager - Small Business Marketing
What do RED Fridays mean to you? It is a great reminder to think of those service members that are currently deployed. It gives me a way to show my support for those service members who are protecting our freedoms and way of life.
What is your favorite MARC memory? Having our virtual lunches where we get to learn about all members and have some time together.
Dave
Manager - Configuration Center
US Navy, 1996-2007
What is your favorite MARC memory? I started out as a contractor at CDW. One of my earliest supervisors was an Army Vet and in the MARC group. He knew that I had a lot of underutilized talent, and he told me CDW was a large supporter of the military and discussed all that the company stood for. His words about the culture and always being dependable for his promises convinced me to stay, and once hired I joined MARC. Many promotions and a lot of hard work later I am currently a manager for the department and a proud supporter of the CDW way.
Mary
Bid Desk Manager, Bid Program Management Team
What is your favorite MARC memory? I am so proud to be a part of this amazing BRG! I have been a member of MARC for a little under a year and was introduced to many members during the Fort2Base event. It was so fun supporting the runners, cheering them on, and representing MARC and CDW!
CDW Coworkers
