Monday, May 21, 2007

I LIVED IN HAWAII ON THE MARINE CORPS BASE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WITH MY OLDER BROTHER. WHILE LIVING THERE I MADE A FEW FRIENDS WHILE HANGING OUT AT THE "E-CLUB". THERE WAS THIS ONE GUY THAT I THOUGHT WAS VERY ATTRACTIVE. MY FRIENDS TOLD ME THAT HE WAS A "PLAYER" AND ADVISED ME TO JUST STAY FRIENDS WITH HIM. THIS GUY LEARNED WHERE I WORKED  AND WOULD VISIT EVERYDAY DURING HIS LUNCH BREAK. I DONT THINK A DAY WENT BY THAT HE DIDNT MAKE ME SMILE OR LAUGH. HE ASKED ME OUT A FEW TIMES BUT I ALWAYS SAID NO BECAUSE OF THE WARNINGS FROM FRIENDS. ONCE I DID FIND OUT THAT HE WAS A GOOD GUY I WAS ALREADY DATING SOMEONE. THE DAY I LEFT HAWAII TO RETURN TO MY HOME STATE I SAID GOOD BYE TO HIM AND OTHERS FROM 7 UNITS THAT WERE BEING SENT TO AFGHANISTAN. IT WAS A SAD DAY FOR ME. I KNEW I WOULD NEVER SEE THESE GUYS AGAIN BECAUSE I WAS LEAVING THE ISLAND AS WELL. NEVER IN MY MIND DID I THINK THAT ANY OF MY FRIENDS WOULD GET KILLED. I ESPECIALLY DIDNT THINK IT WOULD HAPPEN TO HIM. I ASSUMED THEY WOULD ALL BE SAFE....

 

TEN MONTHS AFTER I SAID GOOD BYE I RECEIVED AN E-MAIL FROM A FRIEND IN HAWAII EXPLAINING THAT MY CRUSH HAD BEEN KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN. HIS HUMVEE HIT A ROAD SIDE BOMB. HE DIED ON HIS WAY TO THE HOSPITAL IN GERMANY.

 

I THINK ABOUT THIS GUY OFTEN. WONDERING WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WOULD HAVE TAKEN HIM UP ON THE OFFER FOR A DATE WHEN I HAD THE CHANCE. NOW I WILL NEVER HAVE THAT CHANCE.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

To Show Support for Our Nephew's Friends

We have been loking for memorial things since my nephew, Doc Zachary Alday of the U.S. Navy was killed in action on June 9, 2006, by an IED along with two of his Marine buddies and the third Marine was sevrely burned in Iraq. He was a member of the First Battalion, 7th Matines, 7th Regimental Combat Team, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.  He waas a Navy hospital corpsman, assigned to the Marines.

His four best buddies have been to visit since they all came back from Iraq and we have visited them and they and become our extended family and we have learned to love them like Zack did.  Now it is time for the boys and the rest of Zack's unit to return to Iraq at the end of August and we wanted something to show them we would be thinking of them everyday and praying for their safe return and we think the bracelets are the way to show our love and support.  I call these young men boys but they are really men even if they are only, 20, 21 and 22 years of age.  They have seen so much already that it just breaks my heart for them.  We worry about them but it's really funny, because they call us all the time checking on us because they worry about us since we lost our loved one (they were there, he died in their arms!).  I just hope and pray they all come home safely this time.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

To Show Support For My 2 Soldiers

I have 2 soldiers over there in Iraq that I have "adopted" and I want something to show everyone that the soldiers over there are thought about, prayed for and wishes of a quick and safe return home to the States. My guys do not know about the bracelets yet, my plan is to wear them 24/7 until they come home (like I have done with my older Vietnam bracelets) and then I am going to send them to them and let them know the hows and whys of the bracelets and to let them know that while they are over there they have and will always stay close in our hearts.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

To Show My Respect For The Marine Corps

I chose a member of the Marine Corps due to my father's service in that branch and also to my deep respect for their training, commitment to the Country, and of course their esprit de corps. Major Michael D. Stover, USMC Operation Iraqi Freedom, Killed in Action June 3, 2006 was my selection due to the fact that he was from my home State of Ohio. By purchasing a memorial bracelet I saw an opportunity to show my dedication and enduring thanks for the freedoms I enjoy as a result of the sacrifices of men and women like Major Stover. In wearing the bracelet not only does his name and memory have an oppotunity to endure and live on it is also my way of saying to his family, friends, the Marine Corps, and my Country that I too am "Semper Fidelis." I am also very appreciative that a portion of the purchase of the bracelet will go to various sources to assist the families. In this regard I believe more should be done. In fact, I believe some means of a stipend should be paid to the families of all those killed in action derived from the countries in which sent these men and women and where they have given the ultimate sacrifice. I don't understand why our government considers a soldier's life to be any less valuable than that of a civilian where in most cases exhorbitant means of restitution are sought and provided. It is my hope that this injustice is corrected and that families like Major Stover's regardless of rank and/or branch of service will be adequately compensated and thus alleviate at the very least the financial burden and stress associated with the loss of their loved one.

 

May God Bless and watch over all of our troops, guide our leaders to make wise decisions, and to embrace each and every one of our military personnel and their families that are serving and especially to those who make the ultimate sacrifice.

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

For A Constant Reminder of Our Grandfather

I bought these for my brothers and I to have a constant reminder of our Grandfather, and the great contribution he made to our country throughout several wars. First as a Glider pilot during World War II, next as a P-51 pilot during Korea, and finally as a F-105 pilot during Vietnam. He was an inspiration to my family and to all those that he served with throughout his long and storied career. It was most certainly because of him that I chose to become a Firefighter.

Monday, May 07, 2007

It Is A Great Way To Show Support For A Loved One Who Gave Everything

I think the bracelet is a great way to show support for a loved one who gave everything. I ordered the bracelet  because I lost my best friend. I want everyone to know who he was and what he did. So wearing it will hopefully bring up some conversation of the subject.

Friday, May 04, 2007

To Replace My Husband's From The Military

We were searching for these bracelets after the one he received while still in the Military broke. My husband was severely injured in Iraq on August 9th 2005. The bracelets naming the soldiers killed in action were all part of his unit. Someone from his unit had given him a bracelet when he was released from the hospital in October of 2005. He has worn the bracelet every day since then. It is very important for him to remember his friends that were killed as well as remembering how lucky he is to be alive. He was medically retired from the Army on May 12, 2006.

Thursday, May 03, 2007

The Bracelet Is My Way Of Paying Respects to Her Life

I ordered the bracelet because I lived right across the hall from Regina Clark in the barracks at camp Fallujah. She was a very special person to the seabees, always cheery and uplifting. I went to her memorial over there it was really nice. Also, she will be remembered in the history books as the first Navy female to be a combat related casualty in operation Iraqi Freedom. The bracelet is my way of paying respects and sharing the story of her life with the world.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

To Honor A Fallen Coast Guard Member

I ordered the bracelet in honor of a fallen fellow Coast Guard member to show my way of never forgetting the sacrifice made for others and as long as I continue to serve I have something to keep me going and remind me why I do what I do.