Monday, April 25, 2005

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

Saturday, April 23, 2005

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

Friday, April 08, 2005

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

Wednesday, April 06, 2005

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

Tuesday, April 05, 2005

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

Monday, April 04, 2005

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!

Saturday, April 02, 2005

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

Friday, April 01, 2005

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