Saturday, May 28, 2011

For Pfc. Colton Rusk

My daughter, Whitley, will be graduating from Orange Grove High School on June 3rd.  When she was taking senior pictures she wanted to take a picture of her bracelet she wears to honor one of her best friends, Pfc. Colton Rusk, who was killed December – 2010.  Colton was a 2009 graduate of OGHS and was the big brother she always wanted.  Thank you for honoring our soldiers.

Tammy H.

For Vincent Saracini

I have a Memorial Bracelet for Vincent Saracini, the pilot whose plane hit the South Tower of WTC.  I previously had one for Andrew Fredericks, a fireman killed at the WTC.  Mr. Fredericks' bracelet was made of brass I think and tarnished.  It was no honor to him and I had to get rid of it, but fortunately I ordered and will receive a red one for him.  This 9-11 is the 10th anniversary and I hope there is a lot of participation to honor all the innocent victims.           
                         
Doris P.

For SFC James E. Thode

I wear a Memorial Bracelet for SFC James E. Thode of NM. He was a true NCO and leader of Soldiers. I served with him for two deployments and am honored to be able to say I knew him. May he rest in peace, and may his family feel comfort from God.

SSG Philip R Walker
118th Sapper Company

One of the serious problems in planning the fight against American doctrine, is that the Americans do not read their manuals, nor do they feel any obligation to follow their doctrine...
- From a Soviet Junior Lt's Notebook

The strength of a wall is neither greater nor less than the courage of the men who defend it.
-   Genghis Khan (1162-1227)

An army of asses led by a lion is better than an army of lions led by an ass.
-   George Washington

For SFC Randy Johnson

I just placed an ordered with Memorial Bracelets for my best friend that I lost Sept 27 07. His name was Randy Johnson. I went into basic training and met him there. We did AIT together and almost got the same orders for the first three years of my enlistment. We got seperated when I changed my post. We had lost contact for a few years, until I was stationed at Ft Jackson. I was a garrison MP at the time. I got a call about a shop lifter. And when I pulled up to the P.X, I ran into him after to years of a phone call here and there and a letter from time to time. I lost touch during my tour in Afghanistan. I ETS'ed out of the Army in 05 after 16 years of service. I would time from time check causality reports, and on October 3rd I saw his name. After the shock wore off, I still have that whole in my heart for Frank and the other 5,000 or so of my other brothers and sisters lost in the past 10 years. After Frank passed, I tried to reenlist. Which was denied because of my PTSD diagnosis. Thanks for the oppertonity to share my story.

For Larry Spencer POW

In April 2011, I purchased dog tags with Larry Spencer's name on them to hang from my mirror in my car.

In 1973 when I was in 2nd grade, my Mom bought and gave me a cuff bracelet with Larry Spencer's name on it.  I wore it everyday and hoped he'd be released and be okay.  One day I lost the bracelet.  All these years went by and I always remembered his name and wondered if he was released and felt bad about loosing the bracelet.  I'm 43 years old now and I just kept thinking about him for some reason so I looked on the internet and not only found your website but I found out that he was released (many years later) and that he is still alive!  I was very happy to find this out (my Mom too).  So thank you for having this site and for helping those who put their lives on the line for our country. 

Lisa S.
San Diego, CA

Saturday, May 21, 2011

To Never Take For Granted Life or Freedom

Each generation of my family has served our country, in almost every branch of our military, all the way back to the Revolutionary War. Memorial Bracelets are an excellent way to show how proud I am of ALL who serve. People notice my bracelet wherever I go, and ask about it. I tell them how important our freedom is, how fragile life is, and that they should never be taken for granted.

For a Soldier to Express My Gratitude To

I purchased the Memorial bracelet for my father -in-law. It is inscribed with his nephews name. We are planning to take him to the memorial in DC because I found out that he always wanted to go to see it. I thought just for the experience. While making arrangements I found out through another family member that it is specifically for his nephew. I thought while we are there it will be a nice rememberence and gift to present him with the bracelet after we locate Joe's name on the wall. If I could afford more, I would just pick out a random name and wear it with pride. When people asked me who it was, I would tell them a soldier I don't know, but it's one of the many people whom I wish I could express my gratitude to. That it would be nice if everyone cold wear a bracelet, if only just for a little while, so we never forget and always be thankful for what we have and how we got it.
J. Fountain-Baltimore.Md.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

For Two Killed Aviators

When I was a baby, my mom and dad bought a bracelet at a fundraiser for a Soldier MIA during the Vietnam War. The original bracelet was lost however, I found out the Soldier's name and rebought one which I'll put on my Stetson.

I wear one for two Aviator's who were KIA in a helicopter crash two years ago from my Squadron.  I plan on getting another one for my Dad's friend who was KIA in the Vietnam war.  I wear these bracelets to remember them; because if I don't, who will?

For SSG Curtis Oakes

I ordered 2 black Memorial Bracelets, one for my husband and one for me, both with the same name on them. We have not received them yet, they were just mailed out today, but here is why we ordered. The soldier on our bracelets is SSG Curtis Oakes. Curtis and my husband were both stationed in Korea together and then when they were sent back to the states they were both stationed at Ft. Campbell. I never in all the time that I knew Curt thought that I would be ordering a bracelet with his name on it.  He was a dear friend to both my husband and me. He was one of 6 soldiers killed in Afghanistan on November 29, 2010 when an Afghanistan cop turned around and opened fire on them. Curtis was a great friend, father, and husband he treated people like he wanted to be treated. Curtis touched the lives of many people. I don't think that I ever met anyone that didn't like Curtis. I feel privileged to have been able to be part of his life, and to have him be part of mine. There is not a day that goes by that we don't think of him. And now we will be wearing our bracelets to keep his memory alive, and to keep him close to our hearts.
Amy T.

Sunday, May 08, 2011

In Honor of My Great Uncle


I chose to order this bracelet in honor of my Great Uncle. He flew for the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII. He was a Wellington Bomber Pilot with the 142 Squadron. It was thought that he was MIA all these years, but after some extensive research, I discovered that he was actually KIA on 9 Nov, 1942. His bomber was hit by flak over the Hamburg (Ohlsdorf) Cemetery, where he is now buried with his crew.

To Remind Me Of Who I Am

The first one I have worn for 8 years now is for a soldier who died on a mountain that I spent two weeks patrolling in Afghanistan.  The one I just ordered is for a battle buddy from my first tour in Kandahar.  I wear these Memorial Bracelets because they are links to the memories I have of my service now that I am out.  It is a link to the pain I feel each day.  It reminds me of who I am.

For the CARRY THE FALLEN 2011 Program

Rob & Company;

Thanks for helping us our with constructing our CARRY THE FALLEN 2011 Memorial Bracelets and dog-tags.


CARRY THE FALLEN 2011 is a program initiated by the Duluth Police Department (Duluth, Minnesota) in response to the inordinate number of police officer "line-of-duty" deaths thus far this year.  The impetus for the program occurred when our profession experienced eleven (11) tragic police officer deaths in a 48 hour period, Nation-wide.  Only one major news station (FOX) carried any significant coverage about the tragedy of our fallen compatriots so, our agency decided to do something to draw attention not only to these tragic deaths, but to the ultimate sacrifice many have made this year to protect our citizens.

For the remainder of 2011, numerous officers within our agency have dedicated to wearing either a stainless-steel bracelet or a dog-tag, created by your company, with the name of a fallen-hero officer, the name of their respective agency and the EOW date (end-of-watch) in remembrance and reverence of the service of these brave men and women to GOD and Country, to recognize their courage and ultimately, their sacrifice for those who need our protection.

Additionally, we send a letter to each of the officer's agencies to introduce our CARRY THE FALLEN program and offer our condolences and to let them know, WE EACH carry the loss of a fellow Law Enforcement Officer and will WILL REMEMBER these heroic individuals as we carry their names on our memorials throughout the year.

Thank you for your prompt and professional service and for being a part of helping us honor our fallen.

Sincerely,

Lieutenant Scott R. J
Duluth Police Department Uniform Division
Duluth, Minnesota