My daughter's boyfriend, Dennis J. Ferderer, was killed in action in Iraq on November 2, 2005. He and my daughter had known each other for one year. Dennis was deployed last January. He came home on leave in late September and was able to visit with my daughter his last few days before returning to duty. They planned to continue dating when he returned to Fort Benning this January. They talked to each other for about an hour on the phone early Monday morning, October 31st. It was unusual for Dennis to be able to talk that long when he called. On Thursday afternoon, just before my daughter was supposed to go take a major Biology test, a friend of Dennis' called and told her that Dennis had been killed on Wednesday. My daughter has had a hard time dealing with this loss but she was able to leave school and attend his funeral in North Dakota. His family was wonderful to her. She has returned to Georgia Tech where she attends college and is trying to catch up with what she missed and also get on with her life although she's still so sad. She keeps saying she doesn't want anything for Christmas but I think she will really like this bracelet and it will be a way to make others aware of the mounting numbers of soldiers that are dying almost every day.

To Show The World The Name In My Heart

When I was a Junior in High School a buddy of mine, then a Senior, was joining the Army and bought it for me as a reminder. I never took it off. In 4 years i took it off 5 times...2 for surgery, once it got taken off me playing basketball, and the other 2 i did it. Well I lost it at a concert and was never able to find it. So I looked in vane for a few years for a place to get a specific name. I found you, and I am very grateful to have this name back on my body, and not just in my heart.

Sincerely Jeremy

When I Saw My Cousin's Name On Your Site I Had To Have It

I have another bracelet that I purchased back in 95 at Nellis AFB, with a gentle man named SMSgt Kenneth D. McKenney from the Vietnam War, I'm not sure if you made the bracelet but it was what I have had on my wrist for a long time. Unfortunately the bracelet is of thinner quality and even though it lasted many years the time finally paid its toll. I did a google search for memorial bracelets and your site was the first one to open up, talk about luck huh. Now for the reason why I have the bracelet I have, well I'm sure we all remember 9-11, I was stationed at Wright Patterson AFB as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Resource Protection. As soon as the first plane hit moments later we were scrambling to initiate what's called a barrier plan, its enables the base police more control of traffic and safety for those on Base. Later on throughout the day I was able to get a phone call from my mother who informed me my 3rd cousin, Brian Kinney was on board Flight 11. I have much memorabilia from Sep 11, many news articles, pictures all on a large post it Memory board but when I seen my cousins name on your site I had to have it, thank you for helping me to remember my cousin everyday.

For My Brother Who Died From Effects Of Agent Orange

Words can not express how I feel about our brave men and women who are fighting for our country. I was 10 yrs old in '67, but do remember so much from that time. My brother-in-law died in '03, due to effects of agent orange, while serving in Vietnam. I have been trying very hard to have his discharge changed from "other than honorable" and to have his medals sent to us, but keep hitting a brick wall. Joe was a Corporal in the Marines. After his death, we found letters he had written to his mother stating how scared he and his buddies were and afraid that he would not make it out. Like so many of our brave young men at that time, Joe was not a fighter, but knew he had to do his duty to protect our country. He received his "Other than honorable" discharge because he forged someone's name on leave papers and made long distance calls. When I read these charges, I was flabbergasted that he would receive such a harsh penalty. I know there are many more stories like Joe's. I am an ex-navy wife and I saw some pretty serious crimes going on in '74-'75. Seeing what I did and knowing that these crimes received a slap on the hand, it really makes me so angry that Joe received a harsh discharge while fighting, the others that in the nave were in non-combat. Go figure.

We Honor Him By Wearing This Bracelet

The 11th ACR had not been deployed since Vietnam in the 60s. It was a big deal to be deployed from the NTC which concentrates strictly on training units on todays urban warfare scenarios. Now we were put to the test. Unfortunately on 24 May 2005, we lost a great soldier and friend, SFC Randy Collins. I remember seeing him at dinner, then shortly after our FOB was attacked by mortars. He unfortanetly was hit and did not make it. So we honored him by wearing this bracelet. To show that we care and miss him.

To Salute Him For Giving The Ultimate Gift

I lost my first one from the very early 70's. Lt. Cdr Leonard Murray Lee was the name I wore and his body was finally recovered in 2000, which made me very happy and sad. I chose Gy/Sgt Edward Eugene Beck, Jr. because we were both from Canton, Ohio. He went to a high school that was a major rival of my high school. He was in the Marines, as was my husband and is almost the exact same age as the hubby too. My heart goes out to his family as he has been missing since August 9, 1969. I hope and pray that one day soon he will be found and brought home so that the family can finally have the necessary closure. I am proud to wear his bracelet and salute him for giving the ultimate gift of his young life.

For My Fiance

Sgt Brandon M. Read was my fiance. We had been friends for 2 years and when he received his orders to go to Iraq, we talked whenever he had free moments and on June 9th we moved our friendship into a dating relationship and on June 12, he asked me to marry him. I said yes of course. We were going to get married right before he left on July 31, but time got away from us and we didn't get a chance to get married. He left July 31, 2004 for Iraq. We decided that as soon as he got home in 2005, we would go to the Chaplin and get married when he got home. He was over in Iraq for a month when his vehicle was hit by an IED. He was killed instantly. The only casualty in the convoy. He had actually volunteered to take the gunner post since the soldier who was scheduled to do it was afraid. Brandon was always one to step in and help anyone. He also would tell me when I talked to him how much he loved being in the gunner post. He was killed Sept 6, 2004, Labor Day. He was one of the finest, bravest soldiers I have ever known and will always be remembered for his willingness to help anyone. Thank you so much for offering these bracelets for us to always remember those loved ones we have lost.

Jessica

Celebrating The Life Of A soldier I Had Met

I work as a gate agent for a major airline at a hub where charter flights bring the soldiers home from Iraq for 2 weeks of R and R. Hundreds of them then connect to flights to their homes; we announce that we have “some VIP passengers with us today and would like to offer our uniformed military personnel to pre-board at this time” and they always get a warm round of applause from the other passengers. One day, I was working a flight to Austin, Texas and I had one soldier on it. My daughter goes to school there and I began chatting with the young man about going home, the city, his family, etc. Unfortunately, first class was full, but he was able to board first and with the usual applause. On board, a first class passenger offered his seat to the young soldier, again, much applause for him as he moved up to the first class cabin. I said good-bye to him, wished him a great visit and when he went back to Iraq, to please come home safely again. When I ordered my bracelet from you, I saw that you could pick a specific soldier’s name and I decided to find one from Texas, since that is where I make my home. You can only imagine my heartbreak when there, among your list, was the name of the young man I had spoken with on that flight home just a few months ago.

Sincerely,

Diane

He Was Killed On A Routine Patrol

Nick, my nephew, had originally been stationed in Bosnia and was there when 9/11 occurred. He deliberately transferred around so that he could get with a company scheduled to go to Iraq since he felt he needed to be somewhere that he was doing the most good. He loved what he did and was proud to represent and defend our country. He was killed 11/9/03, at the age of 24, while on routine patrol when their vehicle was attacked by small arms fire and grenade launchers. He died doing what he most wanted to do in the world and I am very proud of him for that. But I still miss him terribly.

Gail

Our Soldiers Should Not Be So Quickly Forgotten

I did not personally know this soldier, but I am attending the United States Military Academy next year, where he went to school and graduated in 2003. I read his story in the book "Last Letters Home" and I feel that our soldiers should not be so quickly forgotten. Men like this give me the strength to do, everything that I am going to do.

Thanks again

Noah

It Is A Reminder Of My Husband

The bracelet is in memory of my husband Tom. He was a MSG in the army for 20 years, when he retired he worked for the Army Corps of Engineers. In march 2003 he went to Kirkuk Iraq and worked with team restore Iraqi oil. He returned to the states on July 28, 2003, six hours later he died while we were eating dinner. The bracelet is a reminder of him, all the others that have died and those that believe in our country and serve.

It Is So Simple But Has So Much Depth And Meaning

I've been wanting to give something back worth meaning to someone who gave his life for my freedom. I think the bracelet is beautiful. It's so simple, but has so much depth and meaning. I'd always seen people wearing them, but never knew for sure what they were.

Jennifer

To Show My Support For Those Men And Women That Have Done So Much For Our Country

Where I work we are not allowed to wear jewelry in the print shop and yet I have not been told to take it off. One of my supervisors looked at it and asked me why I chose the person I did. The company I work for understands what these men and women have done for others and us in the country. I purchased the bracelet so that my children and those around me do not forget those who are the true hero’s. I wish I could tell Mr. and Mrs. Edinger that I am so very proud to wear Benjamin’s name on my bracelet.

Thank you,
Yvonne

Some Would Say That Only The Buildings Collapsed, But A Part Of The Greatest City In The Greatest Country In The World Collapsed That Horrific Morning

My friend from childhood, Stephen Lamantia, died on September 11 while working for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 102nd floor. No remains of Steve were ever found. He left a wife and two young children.

My father and uncles and many friends are or were NYC policemen and firemen and I felt the pain of the families that I saw on television or read about in the newspapers. I was born in the Bronx and went to college in Brooklyn at L.I.U. I remember looking over the bridges and seeing the Towers as if they were there forever. I can not think of the skyline without them. I now live in Syracuse and it is only 300 mile from the city, it is a world away to many of the people up here. Some would say that only the buildings collapsed, but a part of the greatest city in the greatest country in the world collapsed that horrific morning! Many innocent people and unknowing heroes were taken from us that day. My 6 year old son's birthday is September 12 so it is a bittersweet time of the year for me.

Frank

It Will Remind Me To Help Others As He Wanted To Do

I'm an old Vietnam veteran and I remembered the POW/MIA bracelets of that time and wondered if anyone still made them. I was pleased to find that bracelets were available to honor our fallen heroes who gave their lives for us in Iraq.

I briefly met Paul Nakamura through a mutual friend several years ago. Even though our meeting was very short, I was impressed by him. He was a confident young man, well spoken, polite and a credit to his family name. His dream in life was to help others; He wanted to be a male nurse and needed money for school, so he joined the Army Reserve as a Medic. He said the training that he received as a Medic would also help him in his civilian job as a male nurse.

When I found out that he lost his life serving us I started trying to find a way to honor his memory; By wearing a bracelet with his name on it I will be reminded daily of his sacrifice for us and it will also remind me to help others when I can. Paul T. Nakamura is a True American Hero to me!

Thank you for the great service that you make available to us so we can honor our Heroes!

Ben

To Show Support For My Friend’s Family

I think these bracelets are a great idea. I order bracelets with the name of one of my friends who was killed in Iraq, I ordered four of them, one for my friend’s mom, one for his dad, one for his brother and one for myself.

Jeremy

I Feel A Special Kinship With USAF Combat Controllers

The one I purchased has the name John A. Chapman, TSGT, USAF, who was a Special Tactics Combat Controller. He was the first CCT member KIA in Operation Enduring Freedom. I am a former Combat Controller and a life member of the Combat Control Association, and I attended the CCT 50th Anniversary Reunion in the fall of 2003. There was a special ceremony at Hurlburt Field, dedicating a memorial to TSGT Chapman and other fallen Special Tactics airmen, and his widow was in attendance. I did not know the man, as I served back in the 1970's, but I feel a special kinship and camaraderie with USAF Combat Controllers, and hold them especially in prayer in the war on "terrorism."

Thanks for doing your part.

Robert

Something Tangible To Remember Him By

I purchased a bracelet to remember someone whom I loved dearly that was killed in Iraq. He was killed in his second tour of duty over there. Having something tangible such as this to remember him has helped me to heal from this loss. I will never forget all that he and so many others give to this country. And I will wear my bracelet proudly to show anyone and everyone that the men and women over there are real and mean so much to those of us who know them!

To Pass Along His Legacy

It is an opportunity to show my support for the fallen soldiers who came before me. I feel honored to wear the bracelet and will continue to show my support for fallen comrades through its use. I currently serve in the United States Air Force teaching new Airmen out of basic training. I did some research on SSgt Eugene Clay and what he was doing when he made the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation. Many of my young students inquire about the bracelet and who SSgt Eugene Clay was, I feel honored to pass along his legacy and take the opportunity to keep his memory alive.

Thanks again,

SSgt Jeremiah

It Is A Way To Keep His Memory Right There With Us

The family for which I had ordered these bracelets in memory of CPL Ian Zook, his parents and sister, just received them and they were very pleased to receive them and very satisfied with them. Our son, LCPL Drew Uhles, was killed in Iraq on September 15, 2004. One of the Marine's who helped tend to him that day was CPL Ian Zook. On October 12, 2004, Ian was killed. Through several coincidences our families were able to get into contact with each other and have become very good friends and support for each other. It is a way to keep his memory right there with us and to let other people know of his sacrifice.

We appreciate everything you do.

Marla

It Is A Modest Way Of Showing That We Care

We never should forget the sacrifices of those who have paid so dearly for helping to secure freedom for so many, or those whom had their lives taken by the cowardly acts of terrorists.

When the Trade Center collapsed, we lost a fellow Arizona horseman there. His name is Gary Bird. I had the chance to ride with him a bit at a mutual friend's ranch. He left behind quite a legacy of caring and service to his family, friends and community. I attended his memorial and really came to understand the caliber of human being that these radical Islamic terrorist's took from us. During a business trip to New York a year after the attack, I visited Ground Zero and found his name on plaque listing all who were lost there.

The pride held for the troops and their families cannot be fully expressed. Their aren't words. Truly, where do we find such dedicated individuals? Many of my co-workers have family in Iraq for whom we have created "Care Packages" since the war began. Either creating these packages or purchasing these bracelets is in my view, a modest way of showing that we care.

I am a veteran myself from the Vietnam era. I enlisted in 1974 as a US Army helicopter crew chief and was sent to Europe (due to the reduction of troops in Southeast Asia) to keep an eye on the Soviets and did my complete hitch there until coming home in late 1977. When I returned to the USA, only one person welcomed me home (a very kind U.S. Customs Agent) and it makes me glad to see we don't treat the our troops like that any longer, and pray we never do.

Keep the flame burning and never forget,

Kurt

I Thought It Would Be A Great Gift

My boyfriend used to serve as a sniper in the army. He fought in Panama
and Somalia as well as some other "secret" locations. He recently told
me that he once had a memorial bracelet with the name of a soldier who
was killed in Vietnam. He said if he ever found a place that sold these
he would buy another one. The bracelet he had was significant in that
he and that soldier had the same name and rank. The year that soldier
died was the year my boyfriend was born. I thought it would be a great
gift.

Jantzi

I Wear My Bracelet In His Honor

I recently found a memorial bracelet of my mother's from the Vietnam War. I was not born yet but it really touched me, especially with the war going on today and now its people I know who are sacrificing their lives. I guess it's true that the more things change the more they stay the same. The name on the bracelet is MAJ. James Tucker. He was from Oklahoma. I will wear this bracelet in his honor.

It Was A Shock To All Of Us

My cousin's son was killed in Iraq on Dec. 23, 2004, he had only been over there since Oct 2004. He was only 32 and married for only 2 yrs. It was a great shock to all of us, like all the others families who lost loved ones. We pray that they all have not lost their lives for nothing.

To Support My Hero

I ordered it to support my closest friend and hero. He retired two years ago after 30 years of service in the army. The army called him and asked if he would serve a tour in Iraq. He said yes with out blinking (he did not want to retire to start with). He believes that if he goes one young soldier will not have to or at least be delayed. This is such selfless service on his part. He served in Vietnam with the 1st cav as their medic. He was a 2nd LT. He lost a kidney and 2 ribs, spent 3 months in the hospital in Japan and 2 in Ft. Carson. I served with him in the army and he is a father figure to my son who is in the Air National Guard as a F-15 crew chief. We are a proud military family and I wanted to wear this until he comes home safely to me. I wear it proudly with my military uniform. He always wears his when in uniform bearing the name of a soldier lost in Vietnam. He is my hero and I could not imagine life with out him in it.

So I Will Never Forget The Men That I Lost

The reason I order this particular person, is because I was involved. I was the platoon leader on QRF the night that his tank was hit with an IED. We responded to the site, to find an Abrams tank blown into two pieces. We pulled the bodies out of the tank. Two were medevac and one we were unable to retrieve until we got some heavy equipment in. That next morning we retrieved SPC Campoy's body. I loaded his body into my vehicle and drove him an hour to the nearest medical facility. I will never forget those two long days.

Thank you very much.

Greg