Monday, September 20, 2010

For my Lifelong Friend 1SGT Michael Barnhill

I ordered a Memorial Bracelet for my lifelong friend, Michael Barnhill. We grew up together in a very small town, so when I heard he was killed in Iraq, it was like losing a member of my family. I will wear this Memorial Bracelet to honor him as a hero and his sacrifice for this country, to remember him as a friend and good man that he was and to never forget what this country has gone through and sacrificed since September 11. Always Remember!. "All gave some, some gave all".

Respectfully,

Dawn M. G.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

For PFC Bowe Bergdahl

I was a Viet Nam era Army wife, so I know what it is like to have someone on foreign soil, putting their life down on the line to preserve the freedoms and rights we citizens of the U.S. have and often take for granted. During the Viet Nam war, I wore a MIA/POW bracelet for an Army Colonel for 7 years, but he was never found or recovered, so I put it away for safe keepings. Every year I search the Army List, but still his name has never appeared.

So one day on Facebook, I saw an Ad in the Right column about the Memorial Bracelets and clicked on it to see what it was all about. When I discovered they were similar to the heavy, thick silver MIA/POW bracelet I wore for so long, I knew I wanted to wear another one for another MIA or POW service person overseas. I discovered PFC Bowe Bergdahl is the ONLY American service person held as a POW in Afghanistan, so I knew he was the one I wanted to choose and wear my bracelet for him.

Before I even received my bracelet in the mail, I did a lot of research on Bowe and discovered there is not only a lot of controversy surrounding his capture and rumors that he surrendered over to the Taliban, there has been little to nothing by the US Army, or our government, or anyone to bring him safely home to his family, friends and the girl he wants to marry. There have been small rallies for him in his home state of Idaho and some Senators are trying to convince our government to do some prisoner trading for Bowe, but so far......nothing.

Bowe and I have some things in common, mainly our love for dance. So upon his safe return to Idaho and his family, I want to give him some time to readjust to civilian life (as I assume, if I were he, he will want to get out of the service after all of this......and I would not blame him one bit. Then I would love to fly to Idaho, meet his family, his girl and him (maybe even attend their wedding).......and give him the bracelet with his name on it that I have not had off my wrist since I received it in the mail.......except to take this picture of it.

I know it looks like I have a skinny (I do!!) black (I'm not) wrist, but actually I am white and that is my black stapler on my desk the bracelet is wrapped around......the only thing I could find at the time I took the picture of it.

I have posted this picture and messages about Bowe on my Facebook, my Twitter and my E-Mails, asking for prayers for his safe return and for his family and friends. When some of my Facebook friends saw the picture, they wrote to ask where they could get one also and I sent them straight to MemorialBracelets.com , hoping they also will order and wear them.

Pat D.
Atlanta, Georgia

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

In Honor of SSGT Matt Maupin

My name is Malcolm and I have had the honour to wear several of your Memorial Bracelets in recent times. I bought one in honor of SSGT Matt Maupin whose Aunt attended a church my family was also attenting in Cincinnati. I was priveledged to give it personally to his mother on the day that his remains were returned to her.

Also, I had another bracelet custom made by your company with the names of the last two Australian servicemen listed as MIA from Vietnam. They were the crew members of a B57 Canberra bomber that was lost after a close support mission and never heard from again. After many years of pressuring the Australian and Vietnamese governments by several organizations search and recovery missions were commenced and these two airmen and the other Diggers who where unaccounted for were all finally located and their remains returned to their families in Australia. I had previously worn another bracelet with the names of these two men for a number of years until it finally wore out and broke. At which time a replacement was ordered from Memorial Bracelets. No sooner had this new one arrived than I learned that the remains of the two men named on it had been located and itentified, thus closing the long, sad and proud story of Australians' service in the Republic of Vietnam. At this time I felt very strongly that I should do something to honor these men and their sacrifice. Since returning the bracelet to their families was not feasible (both names were on it so who would receive it) I decided to send it to the current commanding officer of their squadron; No.2 Squadron, RAAF based at RAAF Williamtown about 100 miles north of Sydney. Some time after sending the bracelet I received a very kind letter from the Officer commanding No.2 Sqn in which he said that he was very appreciative of the gesture and that I could be assured that my bracelet would be placed in a position of honour on the squadron's officers' mess where it could be seen by all and would be appreciated by all as well.

I thought that you might want to know that your work does not only honor this country's service personnel but has had an impact on the other side of the Pacific as well. Keep up the fine work!

Thanks,

Malcolm H.

PS I plan th order another bracelet shortly in honor of my Uncle who was lost in 1944 off the south coast of Norway while serving with the RAF and whose body was never recovered.

Honi soit qui mal y pense.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

For Sgt. Brandon E. Adams

I wear my Memorial Bracelet for my best friend's son. His name is Sgt. Brandon E. Adams, & he gave his life fighting in Iraqi Freedom, on 19 Sept. 2004.

Brandon was such a great kid,with a great smile. I fondly remember bouncing him on my knee when he was a little boy. Brandon, & his family moved away from our home town, & I hadn't seen him in a few years, but I'll never forget the day his Dad called me, & told me of his death. It hit me hard ! I'll never forget that day.

I bought my Memorial Bracelet, & wear it in his honor. He was deffinetly one of " America's Heros ", & I'll never forget him, or his ultimate sacrafice.

Steve B.

Thursday, September 09, 2010

As a Reminder of My Son's Love and Devotion

I have been wearing my Memorial Bracelet since March of 2005, shortly after my son Trevor was killed in Iraq. I have several different ones, and have one on my wrist at all times. It's a reminder to me of my son's love and devotion to to his country and his family. When someone asks me what it's for, I tell them it's a reminder that Freedom isn't Free. Thank you for this wonderful product.

Jewel A.
Proud Marine Mom

For the Troops, Lost Buddy and Brother

My son bought me my Memorial Bracelet when the war first started. It says "In memory of lost troops, operation iraqi freedom." He lost a buddy in Iraq & wears his name on his Memorial Bracelet. He is on his second bracelet, due to it fading from wearing everyday. He is on his third tour overseas. First to Iraq, then to Afghanistan twice. He is presently overseas. My youngest son, a senior in high school, wears his Memorial Bracelet in honor of his brother overseas. "Keep my brother safe" We love the bracelets. Thank you for honoring the soldiers. We wear them everyday & will continue to until the war is over. My soldier is a SFC, E-7 recon platoon sergeant serving @ FOB Connolly, Afghanistan.

Thank you,

Pam P.

For Angel Juarbe Jr.

Almost 7 years ago or so I ordered a 9/11 Memorial Bracelet from you guys for a firefighter I knew who passed away on Sept 11th 2001. I wore that bracelet ever day. It never came off of my wrist no matter what I was doing. I would go thru metal detectors at the airport and refuse to take it off and took the wanding treatment instead. I wore it thru the fire academy to remind me that some gave everything so I should give my all. It was like my own little cheerleader telling me to keep going when the academy got hard. The bracelet of Angel Juarbe Jr rode on my right hand until I lost an even closer friend in Iraq in 2007. I then moved Angels bracelet to my fire helmet where it remained until someone stole it from my helmet. But long story short, it was a great reminder as to never forget the ones we love and never forget what they gave up for us. Thank you to your company for such a great product. It held up to everything I put it thru at the fire house. I hope to never HAVE to order another bracelet, but if I do it will definitely be from you guys!

Thanks again,
Firefighter Mark M.
Miami Twp. Fire/Rescue
Yellow Springs, Ohio

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

A Bracelet Worn 38 Years Ago and Again Today

When I was 15 years old, my sister was married to someone in the Air Force, and they were stationed on Lackland Base in San Antonio. During a visit there, she gave me a bracelet with the name of Robert Lilies on it, MIA. I wore it then, with a prayer for his return, and in honor of all people serving. I was so young and a product of the time not believing in the war. HOWEVER, as I said, I was young and had no real knowledge of what was going on. All I knew was that I would stand behind proudly our "boys" going thru hell, and even death, for us. I know I wore it for at least 2 or 3 years. When I finally took it off, I remember putting it with some cherished items, but somehow thru the years, it was lost.

A few weeks ago, my hubby and I were watching a PBS show re: the 1960's. With pictures of the Vietnam War on, I remembered my POW/MIA bracelet. It occurred to me that with internet, I could find his name somewhere listed as an MIA. I did find his name, but under KIA. As I read the info that was on his bracelet, it all came back to me. Additionally, I was able to read more info re: where he was from, Louisiana, and info re: his crash. I cried. Thirty eight years have passed. I am no longer a youth with all of life ahead of me, but I have enjoyed a very good life...much in part due to freedom I have known my entire life. I am blessed with 3 sons, one of which has served in The Air Guard for 10 years. A mother's heart is thankful he has not been called to go to Iraq...how could I not honestly be? However, he may be going in less than a year. He has been more than ready to go and do his part as his "brothers" have. If that does occur, God will get me thru it as He has been faithful to do thru the generations.

I am waiting for my new POW/MIA Bracelet from Memorial Bracelets in the mail excitedly. As 38 years ago, I will wear it in memory of Robert Lilies, a man I never met, but is so special in my heart. How I wish I could have contact with a family member! I believe he would be 70 years old today, had he lived. I will wear the bracelet in thanks to all military, who have served that I have lived free. I will wear the bracelet proudly in honor of my son, Seth Allen Mason. And lastly, I will wear it until it falls apart, as a constant reminder to pray for all of the above, and as a hope for a day of peace!

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

To Remember the Person Born on the Same Day

I read an article in my local paper about a guy who had worn one of these Memorial Bracelets, and recently returned it to the family. I went online to learn more about them, and found this website. As I was scrolling through the names, (of which there are still to many), I noticed one with my birthdate. I thought it was a sign, so I bought it!! I hope by doing this to spread the word about this project.
Thank you,
Patty L.