Thursday, May 29, 2008

For the Solders that I Worked with at the Army National Guard Bureau

I am very happy with my Memorial Bracelets.  The two names from the Pentagon attack on 11 Sep 01 were of (A) an officer I had worked with at the Army National Guard Bureau and (B) an officer who had been an ROTC cadet at the college where I was an Assistant Professor of Military Science.  I applied for return to active duty from retirement and to be deployed to Iraq because of their deaths and my reaction to the attacks of 9/11.

For the 3 SF Solders I was With When They Died

I am a US Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controller (I tell all kinds of aircraft where to drop bombs, shoot guns, etc) who supports the US Army Special Forces.  I have deployed to combat seven times in my career, five since 9/11.  I have known quite of few Special Forces soldiers who died, but I was never with them when it happened.  This last time I was deployed in Iraq, three SF soldiers I was with died.  I knew all three personally having trained with them and being on their Forward Operating Bases (I was moved around to three locations in my seven months, since my skill is both highly desired but there aren't too many of us).

Sergeant Major Brad Connors, Sergeant First Class Adrian Elizade and Sergeant First Class Nate Winder were my friends.  The bracelets will be my small way of remembering them as well as a conversation piece so others who see them will never forget that we all care.

Master Sergeant Lance

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Replacing a Bracelet From my Childhood

I ordered a POW Bracelet with the same name I wore as a young girl over 40 years ago. It saddens me to think he was never found. I hope his family has found peace.

In Memory of my Friend Vince D'Anna


Hi my name is Angela, I am ordering this Memorial Bracelet in memory of my friend Vince D'Anna. He was killed last august by a drunk driver. I am going to wear this bracelet in honor of him. He was riding his motorcycle on august 26th when he was struck from behind by a drunk driver. The driver tried to flee the scene and he ran over my friend and dragged him 160 feet. He died early the next morning (only a few hours after the accident). The pictures below are of my friend Vince D'Anna. A great person and great police officer. (he was off duty when he was killed)

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

For Someone I read About in a Book

My Memorial Bracelet is for Snyder Pattishall Bembry who was killed in Vietnam on November 17, 1965. I never met this man. I read a book when I was 14, I can't even tell you the name of it. It must have been a school assignment or something, but there were a few short sentences written about this man. I am now 27 and his name has never left my mind. I think of him almost daily and the words I had read about him. His memory and short life have eternally burned a hole in my heart and I know that I will never forget him.

Monday, May 19, 2008

A Solder from my Hometown, Hompstead

I ordered my Memorial Bracelet in honor of SSG Jeffery L Hartley. A soldier from my home town of Hempstead, Tx. I have been friends with Jeff's father for many years and knew SSG Hartley as well as I also served for 21 years. SSG Hartley's father is also a long time police officer of our city. SSG Hartley served in the US Army for 6 years and served 5 combat tours in Afganastan and Iraq. He served with the 75th Ranger Battalion and was serving in the 3rd ID when he was KIA on 08 April 2008. Jeffery will be greatly missed by all that knew him. He was a remarkable young man of only 25 years old. He not only answered the call of this great country, but paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we could continue living free.

Rest in eternal peace young soldier, you will not be forgotten. Your mission is complete.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

In Memory of Raphael Killed in Iraq

The Memorial Bracelet I ordered is of someone I watched grow from a 2 year old until he turned 15 then my ex and I split in 1994 and that was the last time I saw him and just lost contact with the family. How I heard that he was killed in Iraq was during our lunch break at work, and his name flashed across the screen. I immediately called the family and sent them my heartfelt condolensences. I often think about Raphael I wish I had the chance to see him grow into the fine man he was, he has left behind 3 children his last he never got to meet because he was killed 2 days before he was to go home. I have been wearing this bracelet everyday since I received it so I can feel close to him as I was when he was alive. God bless you Raphael, someday we'll meet again in the arms of an angel.

Monday, May 12, 2008

For my Wife's Uncle Who Was Killed In Vietnam

I ORDERED THIS MEMORIAL BRACELET FOR MY WIFE. HER UNCLE DIED IN VIETNAM FIVE YEARS BEFORE SHE WAS BORN. SHE HAS HEARD MANY STORIES OF HIM AND REGRETS NEVER MEETING HIM. HER DAD NEVER GOT THE CHANCE TOO SAY GOODBYE TO HIS BROTHER BEFORE HE LEFT FOR VIETNAM. HE WAS ONLY 15 WHEN HIS BROTHER DIED, HE LOST HIS BROTHER AND BEST FRIEND. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT INFORMATION FOR HIM ON HOW HE DIED. THAT IS HOW I FOUND YOUR SITE AND ORDERED MY WIFE THE BRACELET.

DAN

Thursday, May 08, 2008

For my Husband and his Brother


I just received my Memorial Bracelet today...and I absolutely love it! Attached is a picture of me wearing the bracelet.  I chose your site because it was the only one I could find that would allow me to include both names on the same bracelet...I'm only authorized to wear one in uniform.

Our story is this. Before we joined the Army, my husband, the first name on the bracelet, his brother, my best-friend, the second name on the bracelet, his brother, and myself all stayed together because we had no one but each other for various reasons. My husband's brother was the first to join the Army...he's currently on his third tour in Iraq. Shortly after, my then fiancee (we were married according to Canadian law, but not according to US law, so according to the Army, he was my fiancee) was next to join the Army. Around the same time, my best-friend's girlfriend died giving birth to their daughter. As soon as my best-friend and I turned 17, we joined the Army together, leaving his daughter with his brother. In January of 2006, my "fiancee" was killed in action ten days prior to our American wedding. In March, I lost our son at about six months. In April, my best-friend, who'd been in the same unit as both my husband and his brother, was also killed in action. I know have joint-custody of his daughter with his brother. I wear a ring on my wedding finger with three diamonds, one for my husband, one for our son, and one for my best-friend that was given to me by my husband's brother and my best-friend's brother...and now I wear the bracelet with both of their names.

Thank you for everything!

Sincerely, SPC Joni

In Memory of my Cousin Christine

Hi, My name is Jenny. My husband is currently in the Army and we are stationed in Germany. He wears three different Pow/Mia braclets to remember other service members that have been listed as missing in action to honor their memory so that their story is remembered and their sacrafice never forgotten. When I was just 18, my cousin Christine. L. Mayes was killed in the Gulf War better known as Operation Desert Storm. I went on the site and found her name listed there. I wanted to wear it so that I could honor her service and memory just like the other unfortunate soldiers who lost their lives so tragically, so that what she gave up wouldn't be forgotten and could be remembered. It's a great cause and I'm glad to do my small part. She was a distant cousin that I only met once. They lived in Rochester, while I lived in Franklin. I started work at a local amusement park where I met her sister Pam and we became good friends never knowing that we were cousins. We met again at Christine's funeral. It was really hard watching my friend and cousin bury her sister and at the same time realizing that a life so young could be taken so quickly. Christine was honored with full military burial, and I couldn't help but be touched by the ceremony honoring her for giving the greatest sacrifice anyone can give! I am proud that such a brave soldier represented our country but also to learn that that same soldier represented a part of my huge family is an honor. My husband as well as other family members and many friends are soldiers as well and I am one of many that hope to never have to deal with a loss like hers!!!

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

For my Mentor SGT Unruh


SGT Unruh was a damn fine NCO, a professional, a mentor, and he was a friend and a brother. He will be missed but not forgetton. His boots will be tought for anyone to fill. I wish you a safe journey to your final OP, SGT Unruh.

R.I.P. Brother,
CPL Ray

Thursday, May 01, 2008

For Joseph "Goody" Goodrich, my Girlfriends Friend

I wanted to write to you real quick to tell you a little info about the Memorial Bracelet I ordered. My girlfriend, soon to be fiancee, is a nurse and has just secured a job with the Veterans Affairs Hospital in the Pittsburgh, PA area. Being a "civilian", one of her patients was telling her she didn't understand loss and brotherhood.

She explained she had lost a friend in the Iraqi Freedom efforts and how "Goody" (Joseph Goodrich), her and I all worked together. We were police officers in a local amusement park over the summer months and she was a medic in the same park. We worked 16 hour shifts usually 7 days a week during the summer. And it definitely wasn't for the money, it was because we worked closely with great friends we all trusted.

Ssgt. Goodrich "Goody" was a wonderful man that was larger than life. We all miss him and are very proud of him. He fearlessly made a decision to fight for his country and made the ultimate sacrifice because of his honor and beliefs. These are attributes that us "civilians" learn to emulate through his memory. We feel that wearing this bracelet will not only keep the memory of Goody alive, but also show that this conflict has effected all of us in some way, soldier and civilian alike.

Thank You. Thanks for doing what you do and taking a minute of your time to hear a little bit about a great man. As I'm sure every man and woman listed here was.

Take care and God Bless.
J