Monday, December 31, 2007

To Remember Landen and The Amazing Staff at Children's


Our son Landen was born into the NICU at Children's St. Paul on October 2 2007 14 weeks early. He weighed 1 pound and was 10 1/2" long at birth. We told ourselves we would wear the hospital bracelet given to us at his birth until he came home. I had always joked that I would need to buy some sort of bracelet because I got so used to wearing the one from the hospital. Landen passed away at the hospital peacefully in our arms on December 19 2007. That night I cut the hospital band from my wrist and it has felt strange ever since. My wife and I will wear our Memorial Bracelets where the hospital band once was to remember Landen and the amazing staff at Children's.
Thank You
John and Megan
St. Paul Park, MN  

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Because My Mother Wore a Vietnam POW Bracelet

I just bought a Memorial Bracelet, and I will wear it proudly because my mother taught me to do so.  She wore a bracelet from the Vietnam War and through all those years, she took very good care of it, wore it proudly, asked me to pray for the man when I was growing up, and when she didn't wear it, she kept it safe and close, in her night table drawer.  She passed away 3 years ago, and I found the bracelet recently.  I contacted the person looking for that bracelet, and hopefully will be sending it to that man's family soon.  I will wear my bracelet proudly, and pray like I did growing up, like I was taught to do. 

Megan

Monday, December 24, 2007

For a Marine I served with at Chu Lai

I recently sent for a Memorial Bracelet in remembrance to a marine corps officer I served with at Chu Lai in 1969. I was one of the last marines to see him alive on March 17,1969, and although it's been several decades since that night the memory is still so vivid in my mind. Capt. Armitstead was a fine officer, a great pilot and it truly was a privilege to serve with him for the short time we had together. I only hope that his supreme sacrifice is appreciated by those at home in our country and those he gave his life to protect.
Sincerely,
Tom
sgt.u.s.m.c.1967-1971

For a Fallen Comrade From My Home State

I purchased this Memorial Bracelet to honor a fallen comrade. I chose Sgt Alloway because he was from my home state of NH and the branch I proudly served in for six years. I served in the USAF during Vietnam, but never went there. I wore a bracelet for many years but it was misplaced. I have been looking for a replacement for years. If I had my way every american would wear one. We should never forget those that have served and especially the ones that have fallen, not just Vietnam but all the wars and conflicts. Without their sacrifice we wouldn't enjoy the freedom we all have now!!! God Bless America and the American Military!!!

Dennis

Sunday, December 23, 2007

For David and Orville Cooley

As editor of the Cooley Family Association newsletter, I was researching Cdr David L Cooley and Lt Orville D Cooley when I discovered memorialbracelets.com.
David's F111A went down near Quang Bien in Laos, but no wreckage was ever found. Orville's C1A crashed into the Gulf of Tonkin after takeoff from the USS Kitty Hawk.

Friday, December 21, 2007

To Support Vietnam MIA Colonel Whitford and His Family

When I was in high school, in Richardson, Texas in 1974 / 1975, I had a very good friend named Nancy Whitford.  She lived with her mother and older brother in Dallas.  I became aware, that her father was missing in action in Vietnam.  The family still held out hope, because POWs were still being held in North Vietnam at that time.  Mrs. Whitford granted me an interview for the high school newspaper.  During that interview, I was made aware of the details of his last mission and the clues which made her think that he was still being held prisoner.  I vividly remember, the special days, where the Whitford family would gather to listen to some reel to reel tapes that Colonel Whitford had sent home.  My friend Nancy, would have been about 10 or 11 years of age, when he was flew his final mission.  I always felt very bad for the family and I read each new finding report from southeast Asia, hoping that one day, they will receive the news which will give them closure.   I have always wanted a MIA bracelet, supporting Colonel Whitford and his family.  I thank you very much for the opportunity to get one.  That damn war has greatly affected my life and my feelings for the government of this country.  But that is nothing, compared to the pain of my friend and her family.

Paul

Frisco, Texas

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

For the Father of a Local Business Still MIA From the Vietnam War

I love the quality and craftsmanship of my Memorial Bracelet.  I have always wanted to wear a Memorial Bracelet for a long time now.  I am a combat veteran myself so knowing the sacrifice it takes to serve is close to my heart.  I always looked for a bracelet (in army/navy stores) but never found one that stood out.  A few months ago I learned that the owner of a local business had a father that was still MIA from the Vietnam war.  His mother even started a "Where is LT Joe Dunn?" campaign and recently published a book about the experience.  The owner and his wife are such good genuine people I felt it appropriate to make a bracelet to honor his father's sacrifice and remind me that he will come home.
 
Respectfully,
Joshua

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

For Brent Marthaler and 18 Other USAF Members at Khobar Towers

I ordered my Memorial Bracelet due to having some what of a personal connection to the individual, (A1C Brent Marthaler, USAF), I am honoring and remembering.  It was April 16, 1996 and I was sitting in the living room of our suite at Khobar Towers, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, King Abdul Aziz Air Base, 4404th Wing.  We had cleaned out our bedrooms and were awaiting our replacements from Eglin Air Force Base in the living room of the suite.  We had been there since January 1996, and the second tour from Eglin AFB was coming in to finish out our 6-month commitment at Dhahran.  As our fellow airman were coming into the suite to take their assigned bedrooms I saw A1C Brent Marthaler walk in.  I paid more attention to A1C Brent Marthaler, than the others, not because he was carrying his luggage but a pillow with a cartoon pillow case and due to him taking the bedroom I had just vacated.  Time has robbed my memory of the specific cartoon on the pillow case but I remember thinking how funny it was that even in a potential hostile environment how we all brought certain things with us to help give us some symbolism of home and attempt to make the time more bearable.  Myself and the first half of the tour then left Dhahran later that day and returned to Eglin AFB, FL.  On June 25, 1996 a truck filled with explosives was parked across the street from that very building A1C Brent Marthaler was living in and detonated.  As a result of the explosion A1C Brent Marthaler along with 18 other USAF members were murdered that day.  I have no way of knowing A1C Brent Marthaler's specific location inside that building at the time of the explosion, but can only hope and pray that his death along with the 18 others was quick and painless.  He worked on the flight line as a F-15 crew chief I believe.  I was an Ammo Troop assigned to the 33rd Munitions Flight but had seen A1C Brent Marthaler on the flight line at different times while stationed at Eglin AFB.  So I have chosen to remember A1C Brent Marthaler with this bracelet, not because we were the best of friends, (because I don't think we had ever spoken to one another), but for his ultimate sacrifice he paid for his country on June 25, 1996.  It has been over 11 years since God has seen fit to take A1C Brent Marthaler and the other 18 USAF members home to heaven and as the years pass I find myself remembering these events more often.  And because of this I suppose I need to know that their deaths have not been in vain which is why I choose and am proud to wear this bracelet.  Thank you Memorial Bracelets for allowing me to do so.  

Monday, December 17, 2007

Because so Much Sacrifice is Going On

Got the bracelet. It's awsome. I had a difficult choice between 2 soldiers I had read a great deal about...both KIA and great men...tough, smart, but gentle and loving family men. I would definitely recommend this site to others. I still have a POW/MIA bracelet from Vietnam and it reminds me how much sacrifice is going on.  I serve on a VFW Rifle Squad and I will wear it and my father's ring (he was a WWII Merchant Marine) when I go to a serice....because it's for all of them.

Thanks,
 
Paula (Capt-USAR-Ret)

Saturday, December 15, 2007

For My Great Uncle Who Fought In WWI


I just received my Memorial Bracelet from you guys and let me just tell you all, it is great!.  Thank you for a great craftmenship.  

I love the bracelet.  I have worn it for a few times already when I have gone outside the wire on convoys and it has gotten a bit cover in stuff.  But it cleans up nicely and just as new as the day I got it.

I order my bracelet after doing some research on family relatives that have served in the military throughout the past.  I came across a great-uncle who joined the Infantry in 1918 for WWI and found out that during his ship crossing of the Atlantic Ocean to go to Europe, his ship hit another ship and sank, thus leaving him to drown.  After seeing other family relatives that have served in different wars, I felt that it would be fitting to have a bracelet worn in his honor and while I am serving over here in Iraq.

Attached, you will find a picture of me wearing my new bracelet.

Thanks again,

SGT Eric

For My Husband on his 3rd Deployment


My husband is on his 3rd deployment since 2001.  We are expecting our second child in a few weeks (we have a 7 year old daughter) and he will be able to come home for that at least.  I hear other women talking about their husbands being gone for a few weeks and I have to laugh anymore.. after an 8 mo, 18 mo, and now a 12 mo tour, their few weeks are like an AT drill for us (national guard).

I have enclosed a pic of the bracelet I have ordered for my/his family.  We will wear it until he comes home and every time he is deployed.

Thank you,
Mrs. Arnold

Friday, December 14, 2007

To Replace My P.O.W. Bracelet for Roger C. Hallberg

Back in 1973 or 74 we had a new girl move into town.  She came from California wearing a nickel plated P.O.W. bracelet.   None of us in Florida had ever seen one and we were all curious.  Of course after she told us what it was all about we all wanted one, so she provided order forms for all who were interested.  I believe the cost of the bracelet at that time was around $5.  Before long, so many of us high school students were wearing our own P.O.W. bracelets to honor Vietnam P.O.W.'s and M.I.A.'s.  I wore my bracelet until it broke - rarely removing it from my wrist.  
 
Recently, my college student son was in Washington D.C. on a trip.  He  was on his way to visit the memorial wall so I asked him to look up the name on the bracelet I wore in high school.  His name is Roger C. Hallberg and he became missing on 3/24/67.  Well, his name was not on the wall.  I wondered why, so I googled his name and discovered that he was instrumental in saving many lives, but he and his partner were never recovered.  (If you want more details, google him to learn about his final mission.)  He still has not been recovered - like so many other heroes.
 
I would love to hear from someone in his family.  I'd like them to know that someone they have never heard of or even knew existed was thinking about and praying for their loved one for many years.  He will never be forgotten as long as I am around.  From doing the investigation of Roger on the internet, I came across MemorialBracelets.com.  I ordered a bracelet with Roger's name on it and am once again wearing his name around my wrist.  (I got a leather one this time.)  I challenge everyone who, like me, wore a bracelet years ago to get an updated bracelet to wear now.
 
Thanks, Rob, for what you're doing.  Our heroes should never be forgotten.
 
Lynne

For SGT Roderick Soloman

I recently ordered and received my bracelet with the name SGT Roderic Soloman name inscribed on it.   During OIF 1, I was SGT Soloman's Platoon Sergeant.  On 28 March 2003 at approximately 0230 hrs, My platoon was moving from a checkpoint to a screenline mission,  when the bradley fighting vehicle that SGT Soloman was riding in drove into a 45 foot deep hole.  I watched in horror through my night vision as A21 disappeared from sight.  I was the first one to reach the hole,  the bradley was vertical, standing on its front end,  Of the 12 men on board, only 2 were uninjured.  After we got everyone out of the vehicle, our medics had arrived and began to render first aid to my injured men.  I cradled SGT Soloman's head in my lap as I held a oxygen mask over his face while the medic's did everything in their power to revive him.  He was pronounced dead as soon as he was medavac'd to a field hospital.      There hasn't been a day that has gone by since then that I haven't relived that night. 
 
A good friend of mine, SSG Michael Webb, my gunner from OIF 1, recently told me about your website.  I immediately ordered a Memorial Bracelet with SGT Soloman's name on it.  I will wear it in his honor for the rest of my life.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
SFC Dennis

For Lost Solder SGT Roderic Soloman

I recently ordered and received my bracelet with the name SGT Roderic Soloman name inscribed on it.   During OIF 1, I was SGT Soloman's Platoon Sergeant.  On 28 March 2003 at approximately 0230 hrs, My platoon was moving from a checkpoint to a screenline mission,  when the bradley fighting vehicle that SGT Soloman was riding in drove into a 45 foot deep hole.  I watched in horror through my night vision as A21 disappeared from sight.  I was the first one to reach the hole, the bradley was vertical, standing on its front end.  Of the 12 men on board, only 2 were uninjured.  After we got everyone out of the vehicle, our medics had arrived and began to render first aid to my injured men.  I cradled SGT Soloman's head in my lap as I held a oxygen mask over his face while the medic's did everything in their power to revive him.  He was pronounced dead as soon as he was medavac'd to a field hospital.  There hasn't been a day that has gone by since then that I haven't relived that night. 
 
Sincerely,
 
SFC Dennis

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

For the Fiance of SGT Matthew Soper

I think Memorial Bracelets are a great way to show sympathy for the families that have lost a service member, a tribute to those who have served, and a wonderful way to support the ones still serving. 

I randomly searched for Memorial Bracelets to give to my fiance for a christmas gift. After about a half an hour of finding sites that didnt meet my standards, I came across MemorialBracelets.com.  I was so pleased to see all the names listed and the number of options available.

The story behind the bracelets I ordered is one that breaks my heart. My fiance served 14 months in Tikrit, Iraq with the 1461st Combat HET Unit out of Jackson, MI. In June of 2007, with two months left to serve, one of the men in his unit was hit by an IED and was killed. Twenty-six year old SGT Matthew Soper, born and raised in Jackson, MI.  Matthew was one of eight children. I feel like this bracelet is a tribute to him and a wonderful gift to give to fiance. My heart goes out to the Soper family & the other families and loved ones who have lost a service member in OIF and those who have been taken from this world in any other war, and or way.

Thank you for the magnificent gift and the amazing opportunity for people to show their support and share their stories.

Kendra

Monday, December 10, 2007

For My Fellow Recruiter Joe

I met Joe about 4 years ago while we served as recruiters in the east Tennessee area, Kingsport to be exact. He had a young lady named Jen he wanted nothing else but to marry, he did. They were the perfect match for one another and had life by the tail and knew it. They loved their pets and treated them as their children.  Jen and Joe had a bond that overcame the stresses of the job. 
Joe knew that one day he was going back to the infantry, his first love and second to Jen. Mission was to make it day by day in Kingsport and get back to the job he had joined the Army for in the first place, lead infantry soldiers. He as an Active Duty recruiter an me as a Reserve Recruitier worked together to make out lives in USAREC bearable. I heard Joe say many times, "I can't wait to go back to the real Army", he wanted a squad of infantry soldiers to lead. I looked up to Joe even though he was an E6 and me an E7, I knew he had what it took to be a leader. So many good soldiers end up on a tour like recruiting and it makes them doubt their abilities. Joe was not a person to doubt his abilities.  
All Joe wanted was to lead an infantry squad. The last thing I remember him saying on a tv interview was "My biggest fear is losing a soldier in battle". We lost a great soldier, giving his life for his soldiers and the American people. Jen we love you and you will survive. Joe we miss and love you with all that is in us. You will forever be in my family's heart. I pray for you every day. I pray for healing for your family. You are a true American hero. Jen you are a hero as well, never let anyone take that away from you. You have stood beside a great man, a true Warrior, not a paper soldier you seen in his previous command 
Memorial Bracelets, you give us the means to hang on to that patriotism. Thank you for the things you are doing and I can assure this bracelet will never leave my wrist. I ordered two so on can be placed in the most special place to me. It will be displayed next to my Bronze Star earned during Desert Storm. It will always come before any award I have ever been given.

SFC RUSTY

Because A Good Friend Joe was Lost

Rob,

I met Joe about 4 years ago while we served as recruiters in the east Tennessee area, Kingsport to be exact. He had a young lady named Jen he wanted nothing else but to marry, he did. They were the perfect match for one another and had life by the tail and knew it.    Jen and Joe had a bond that overcame the stresses of the job. Joe knew that one day he was going back to the infantry, his first love and second to Jen. Mission was to make it day by day in Kingsport and get back to the job he had joined the Army for in the first place, lead infantry soldiers. He as an Active Duty recruiter and me as a Reserve Recruitier worked together to make out livings in USAREC bearable. I heard Joe say many times, "I can't wait to go back to the real Army", he wanted a squad of infantry soldiers to lead. I looked up to Joe even though he was an E6 and me an E7, I knew he had what it took to be a leader. So many good soldiers end up on a tour like recruiting and it makes them doubt their abilities. Joe was not a person to doubt his abilities but you have so many persons, I won't call them soldiers, who wear rank and expert infantry badges, airborne wings and other badges you earn by attending school, yeah right, schools. Leadership that has never lead soldiers only they have had the power given by USAREC to show real soldiers what they think it takes to make a soldier. As an example I give you a Command Sergeant Major that has never held a platoon sergeant position in a line platoon and has never earned his recruiter ring, yet, he is going to tell Joe, a soldier who was detailed with recruiting duty and earned his ring in 2 years by telling his story as an E6. All Joe wanted was to lead an infantry squad. The last thing I remember him saying on a tv interview was "My biggest fear is losing a soldier in battle". We lost a great soldier, giving his life for his soldiers and the American people.  

Sunday, December 09, 2007

For Donald Burris Because He Lived In A Town Close to Me

I received my Memorial Bracelet  and  I am very happy with it.  What prompted me to order one was the fact that I found an old POW bracelet in one of my drawers and it reminded me of what an important issue this is.  I adopted Donald Burris as he was someone that lived in a town close to mine.  I plan to write to  government officials about this.  I am too new to computers to create a web site for CW2 Burris but maybe in the future I will be able to do so.  The other bracelet I have is John Bischoff and I ordered another one, Gomer Reese for a friend for his birthday.  I think these bracelets make wonderful gifts and plan to tell everyone I know about them.

To Remember How Important the Vietnam POW Issue Still is

What prompted me to order one was the fact that I found an old POW bracelet in one of my drawers. It reminded me of what an important issue this is. I adopted Donald Burris as he was someone that lived in a town close to mine. I plan to write to government officials about this. The other bracelet I have is John Bischoff, and I ordered another one with the name Gomer Reese for a friend for his birthday.

Saturday, December 08, 2007

For His Boot Camp Roommate

My son asked for a bracelet memorializing his friend,
after seeing others wearing them.  He just got back
from Iraq and asked for one for Christmas.  I told him
I'd try to find out how to get one, so I Googled
something (can't remember what words I used) and came
to your site.  

His friend was his roommate in Marine Boot Camp and
SOI.  He was killed in Iraq less than a year after he
became a Marine.  My son has such great memories of
staying up most of the night talking to his buddies in
the bunks next to his.  One of the buddies was Anthony
Butterfield, whose bracelet he'll be wearing soon.

Thank you!

Francine

In Memory of My Son's Friend Anthony Betterfield

Hi, Rob.

My son asked for a bracelet memorializing his friend, after seeing others wearing them. He just got back from Iraq and asked for one for Christmas. His friend was his roommate in Marine Boot Camp and SOI. He was killed in Iraq less than a year after he became a Marine. My son has such great memories of staying up most of the night talking to his buddies in the bunks next to his. One of the buddies was Anthony Butterfield, whose bracelet he'll be wearing soon.

Thank you!

Francine

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

To Honor My Neighbor Killed on 9/11

I honestly can’t remember how I found out about your web site; probably a related link through either Rolling Thunder or the Yellow Ribbon Foundation or some other POW/MIA/veterans-related site. Either way, I am glad I did. The initial motivation for buying the bracelets was to honor my neighbor, Michael Gann, who was killed on 9/11 (he was in NYC for a meeting; he lived here in Atlanta). All stories from that day are sad but Mike’s was particularly tragic. He had only recently remarried for the second time and their blended family included five children who adored him. He was active with youth ministry at the local Catholic parish. Ironically, he had resisted going to NYC for the meeting; he had had a premonition that something might happen. He had asked his boss if he could stay behind and (from what I have heard) he was told that if he didn’t go, his career would be in jeopardy. So he went. He was on a high floor (in the 100s) in the north tower when the first plane hit. Apparently he called his wife Robin from his cell phone (she wasn’t available) and he left a voice message assuring her that they were all certain they would be rescued soon. Shortly afterward, he left her another message—a goodbye message—telling her he loved her and the children. His wife heard the messages later. I’m sure they haunt her to this day. They never found Mike’s remains; he was memorialized 6 weeks after 9/11 and at the service, each one of his children brought something to the altar that reminded him or her of their father/stepfather. One brought a guitar, a reminder of Mike’s propensity to play for the kids and the youth group. Another brought a pair of running shoes—reminding them of Mike’s love of sports. It was a gut-wrenching service. One year later, I was teaching high school part-time (in addition to my “regular” business) and I had my students prepare a large canvas and sign it with “thank you” messages for the New York City firefighters. I flew to New York, also carrying a laminated version of the bulletin from Mike’s memorial service. On Sept. 10 I gave the canvas to a firehouse in the Chelsea district in lower Manhattan that had lost many of its firefighters in 9/11. On Sept. 11 I tied Mike’s bulletin to the fence next to St. Paul’s church, across from the WTC site, and stood on the steps of a nearby building as they read off the nearly 3000 names of the dead or missing, Mike’s among them. I was alone during the trip and, to be honest, it was a very emotional experience. At 3 different times during the day on Sept. 11, 2002, I encountered three different woman who walked or talked or just stayed with me for periods of time—sort of like 3 angels sent to comfort me. I don’t even know their names. I will never forget them.

So that is the motivation for my initial purchase. There is a post-script as well. Although I grew up mostly in the South, my parents are from New York City and I have many cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. still there. On 9/11, two of my cousins (a father and son) were in the South tower. The son got out after the first plane hit but his father was still in the building, around the 55th or so floor. Police cleared the area and sent the son away, not knowing for 8 hours whether or not his father got out. In the meantime the second plane hit the south tower. The father started making his way down the stairwell but after about 20 floors, he could no longer walk (he has serious knee problems) so he just sat down and gave up. A man came along and practically carried him down the remaining 30 floors; they made their way up the street just seconds before the south tower came down. For years the father and the man who saved him had a reunion on 9/11 (the father has since moved to Florida). The son’s wife also worked in the WTC area but she had called in sick that day or she would have been trapped underground in the train tunnels. So 9/11 is very close to my heart.

That is probably more than you wanted to know but there it is. The other bracelet I ordered is for Sgt. Matt Maupin, whose case I became familiar with intimately as result of meeting his parents two years ago at the Memorial Day Rolling Thunder event in WashingtonDC. I was in high school and college during the Vietnam war and we all wore POW bracelets then. I had hoped we would not have to do it again. Thank you for providing this opportunity for people like me to honor and remember those who are lost or missing. 

God bless you and your work!

Christine

For 9/11 Victims and Matt Maupin

The initial motivation for buying the bracelets was to honor my neighbor, Michael Gann, who was killed in 9/11 (he was in NYC for a meeting; he lived here in Atlanta). All stories from that day are sad but Mike’s was particularly tragic. He had only recently remarried for the second time and their blended family included five children who adored him. He was active with youth ministry at the local Catholic parish. Ironically, he had resisted going to NYC for the meeting; he had a premonition that something might happen. He had asked his boss if he could stay behind and (from what I have heard) he was told that if he didn’t go, his career would be in jeopardy. So he went. He was on a high floor (in the 100s) in the north tower when the first plane hit. Apparently he called his wife Robin from his cell phone (she wasn’t available) and he left a voice message assuring her that they were all certain they would be rescued soon. Shortly afterward, he left her another message—a goodbye message—telling her he loved her and the children. His wife heard the messages later. I’m sure they haunt her to this day. They never found Mike’s remains; he was memorialized 6 weeks after 9/11 and at the service, each one of his children brought something to the altar that reminded him or her of their father/stepfather. One brought a guitar, a reminder of Mike’s propensity to play for the kids and the youth group. Another brought a pair of running shoes—reminding them of Mike’s love of sports. It was a gut-wrenching service. One year later, I was teaching high school part-time (in addition to my “regular” business) and I had my students prepare a large canvas and sign it with “thank you” messages for the New York City firefighters. I flew to New York, also carrying a laminated version of the bulletin from Mike’s memorial service. On Sept. 10 I gave the canvas to a firehouse in the Chelsea district in lower Manhattan that had lost many of its firefighters in 9/11. On Sept. 11 I tied Mike’s bulletin to the fence next to St. Paul’s church, across from the WTC site, and stood on the steps of a nearby building as they read off the nearly 3000 names of the dead or missing, Mike’s among them. I was alone during the trip and, to be honest, it was a very emotional experience. At 3 different times during the day on Sept. 11, 2002, I encountered three different woman who walked or talked or just stayed with me for periods of time—sort of like 3 angels sent to comfort me. I don’t even know their names. I will never forget them.

So that is the motivation for my initial purchase. There is a post-script as well. Although I grew up mostly in the South, my parents are from New York City and I have many cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. still there. On 9/11, two of my cousins (a father and son) were in the South tower. The son got out after the first plane hit but his father was still in the building, around the 55th or so floor. Police cleared the area and sent the son away, not knowing for 8 hours whether or not his father got out. In the meantime the second plane hit the south tower. The father started making his way down the stairwell but after about 20 floors, he could no longer walk (he has serious knee problems) so he just sat down and gave up. A man came along and practically carried him down the remaining 30 floors; they made their way up the street just seconds before the south tower came down. For years the father and the man who saved him had a reunion on 9/11 (the father has since moved to Florida). The son’s wife also worked in the WTC area but she had called in sick that day or she would have been trapped underground in the train tunnels. So 9/11 is very close to my heart.

The other bracelet I ordered is for Sgt. Matt Maupin, whose case I became familiar with intimately as result of meeting his parents two years ago at the Memorial Day Rolling Thunder event in Washington, DC. I was in high school and college during the Vietnam war and we all wore POW bracelets then. I had hoped we would not have to do it again. Thank you for providing this opportunity for people like me to honor and remember those who are lost or missing. God bless you and your work!

Saturday, December 01, 2007

To Honor Pvt. Byron Fouty

I am from the State of Michigan. I have attended every vigil held on behalf of Pvt. Byron Fouty, since his capture on May 12, 2007.  The vigils are held in his honor, so that we never forget or give up hope.  His family misses him terribly and I will wear it proudly, as a remembrance to him in his honor.

I am also a Blue Star Mother, with a son also currently serving as a 10th Mountain soldier.

So we Never Give up Hope for Pvt. Byron Forty

I am from the State of Michigan. I have attended every vigil held on behalf of Pvt. Byron Fouty, since his capture on May 12, 2007. The vigils are held in his honor, so that we never forget or give up hope. His family misses him terribly and I will wear it proudly, as a remembrance to him in his honor. I am also a Blue Star Mother, with a son also currently serving as a 10th Mountain soldier.