For SSG Samuel J. Helfenstine

I received my Memorial Bracelet yesterday and immediately put it
on. It reads: SSG Samuel J. Helfenstine USA 10 Jan 1968 SVN.
We both went to Vietnam within days of each other in June of
1967 but to different units. He was and still is my best friend. I
wasn't told of his death until a few days before my tour was over,
much too late to sign on for another tour of duty. I think about
him often and regret I wasn't with him when he died. He lives on
in my memory today. May he rest in peace and may we meet
again.

William B.

For Michael D. White

I ordered 2 bracelets from Memorial Bracelets in memory of Michael D White. One is for his sister who told me a lot about Michael because I was to young to really remember him. I wish I knew him because I heard he was a really great man. RIP Michael.

Lynne

for Army Specialist Dale J. Kridlo

I ordered my bracelet from Memorial Bracelets for Army Specialist Dale J. Kridlo.  He was 33 when he was killed in action in Kunar Province of Afghanistan on November 7, 2010 when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.  He had been in Afghanistan since December, 2009 and was scheduled to return home just before Christmas, 2010.

Shawn

For Eleanor

My bracelet arrived today. I will wear this for Eleanor, with love, always. For Eleanor, I will never forget.

For Capt. Roy Bowling

I just ordered a replacement Bracelet for the hero I wore in High School till it literally broke off my wrist.  I visited his place on the Wall this Veteran's Holiday.

We were born the same day 
me - 12-16-55
Capt Roy H Bowling -12-16-29
He died for me ... that's what it feels like. 

Stacey

In Honor of Eric Greco and His Family

The KIA bracelets I ordered were for my Dad and myself-- our previous bracelets were worn/faded and broken. The soldier, Eric Greco, was my dad's best friend, who sadly was KIA in the Vietnam War and on on my dad's birthday. When I presented the new KIA bracelet to my dad, the look on his face was absolutely priceless. He put it on immediately, as I did with mine, and we wear them every single day in honor of Eric Greco and his family.

Jeannette

For SFC Donald Rander

When looking thru my current American Legion auxiliary magazine I saw an article regarding the POW bracelets. It brought back many memories. My Dad who was a recruiter in the Navy gave me my POW bracelet. I believe when I was in high school. I still have it today. I knew the POW named on my bracelet had been found before I put my bracelet away for safe keeping. I still have it today and am wearing on my wrist for Veterans Day. I confirmed again that SFC Donald Rander 2-1-68 had been returned and he had. For all of the military out there "Thank you for your Service". 

Debi

For Capt. Eleanor Alexander

I've been wearing my bracelet for Army Captain Eleanor G. Alexander since the day it arrived. I work with Veterans in Chicago and a friend gave me a book to read. Imagine my surprise when I came across a portion dedicated to Eleanor. We will never forget!!! (KIA 11-30-67)
Gillian

For MSgt. Aaron Torian

I ordered some bracelets in memory of MSgt Aaron Torian who was serving with my son in Afghanistan. My son came home alive, MSgt Torian did not. My son has a great admiration for this operator and has an aluminum Memorial Bracelet, but I thought a paracord bracelet would be more durable, because the loss will never go away.

Paulette

For SPC Glen D. Jones

I got my bracelet in honor of my childhood friend SPC Glen D Jones. I spent part of my childhood growing up in northern Minnesota. Glen used to live behind us.

He was a few years older than I was but he was so cool to hang out with. We would go sledding in the winter time on the big hill by his house and ride all over the place on our bikes in the summer time. There were a few times that I was running late to meet my curfew that he would throw my bike in the back of his truck to make sure I made it home on time. Next to his house was a cemetery and every Memorial Day I would go and watch and be there when the services would take place. My family moved away so my Dad could go to Seminary. Once he was done we moved to North Dakota and were there when the first Gulf War started. We watched the news coverage like everyone else.
We watched the aftermath of the SCUD hitting the barracks in Saudi and saw the aftermath. A week or so later on a Saturday night my Grandmother that lived in MN called my dad and let her know to watch the newspaper we got and on the front page was the funeral of my childhood friend. I knew he joined the Army Guard in MN after graduating. That was my first real taste of what War was all about, the first person I actually knew that had died because of War. I was tore up for a few days and had some long talks with my parents.

Well when I graduated high school, I myself joined the Air Force. I have been deployed and almost went to Saudi myself. After seeing an advertisement I decided to go to the Memorial Bracelets website and see if I could find a bracelet. Well, after thinking long and hard I decided that it was fitting to remember my childhood friend in this way. In closing I would like to say that Glen you are missed by many and now I have a lasting reminder of our friendship and our childhood.

Our beloved Jonathon

PFC Jonathon Hostetter  Combat Engineer, 20 years old, was KIA in Afghanistan on August 23, 2013 by an IED.  Jonathon was our oldest son.  He stood 6ft. 4 in. and had blonde hair and blue eyes and was a friend to all he met.  His personality was contagious and he was a son, a brother to his brothers, Spencer and Jamison, and a husband.  He joined the military in September 2012.  He was deployed on Easter Sunday, 2013.  Some dates are ironic, He left for basic training, September 18, 2012.  He graduated Basic Training and AIT on January 18, 2013.  On September 18, 2013 we were having a memorial service at White Sands Missle Range for him.  Exactly one year from when we were watching him board the plane for his new adventure in the U.S. Army.

My youngest son, Jamison, had me order this bracelet so he could have a reminder everyday of his brother.  Also when people see the bracelet, he is proud to tell of his older brother, Jonathon.  We hold on to our memories and need daily reminders of how important our freedom is and what the cost of freedom is to us all.

God Bless you for providing these to the families of the fallen.  The cost is minimal because the memories are priceless!!

Sincerely,

Gold Star Mom, Lisa Hostetter

PFC Jonathon Hostetter

KIA 8-23-13  Afghanistan

For those suffering From the Effects Agent Orange

Thanks to all of the Soldiers who fought and are still fighting for all of us. At this time we are sitting vigil with my husband Capt. Richard R. Roney who is dying of cancer. He was 88th Transport Company, Company Commander. 
Agent Orange is taking my husband and the father of our daughters too soon. God bless those families whose loved ones are still missing from the war, POW's or are suffering or suffered from the effects of Agent Orange. 

Sincerely, Mrs. Richard R. Roney

For Lt Michael P. Rice

I wear one for Lt Michael P. Rice, Sunbury KIA 13 Sept. 72.  He was a friend of my father's and he always wore his Memorial Bracelet. Once my father died I started to wear it to remember them both. The aluminum he wore broke at work one day and I just ordered a steel one.

For Lt. Col. Daniel Holand

I had the great honor to meet Hholland today. Hholland was a puppy from the DoD Military Working Dog Breeding Program that picked a different career path and was named in honor of my commander, Lt Col Daniel Holland - KIA 18 May 2006.  If you look close enough you can see the black Memorial Bracelet on my right wrist that is hugging Hholland, made by Memorial Bracelets for Lt Col Daniel Holland

Lisa

For Army Nurse Eleanor Alexander

I just ordered from Memorial Bracelets to honor the service and life of Army Nurse Eleanor Alexander. She was KIA on November 30, 1967 when she was 27 years old. As a young woman who wanted to be in the marines as a medic I felt she was a perfect person to honor. I will never, ever forget you Eleanor and will wear your bracelet with love and thanks for all you've done for us!

Gillian T

For My Brother Mike Klingner

• My brother, Mike Klingner, was a F-100 pilot during the Vietnam war. He was lost in Laos in 1970. His current status is KIA/MIA.
  
  In 1985, I was shopping in our local supermarket. At the checkout, I noticed my cashier was wearing a metal bracelet. I asked her about the bracelet. She had just picket a name off "The Wall" to honor a fallen veteran. The name she was wearing was my brother.
  
  Since that encounter, I've always worn a bracelet honoring my brother.
  
  I never saw that beautiful cashier again!

Tom K.

For PFC Sander C. Sanderson

When I was a child in the 60's I wore the bracelet of a soldier fighting in Viet Nam. I often thought of this young man all these years. Well last year I came across the Memorial Bracelets page on FB. I searched the archives and found his name and learned he in fact died in Viet Nam all those years ago. 

I was so sad to learn this because I had hoped and prayed all these years that this young man had come home and lived a full life. Well my son's 5th grade class went to DC for a field trip and so I sat him down and told him this story. I told him this young man's name - well my son visited the Viet Nam Wall and when he came home he handed me a piece of paper where he traced this young man's name for me- PFC Sander C. Sanderson. It was a special moment and gift - one that I will treasure forever. 

I just wanted to thank you for allowing me to find this young man and to thank him in my heart.

Christine A.

For Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl

Since I found out about Sgt. Bowe Begdahl, and learned that he is from a school friend's home town, ALL I wanted was a way to help and get the word out. This may not be much, BUT anything is better than nothing.

For SSG Roger S. Martin

I was always taught to respect and Honor our veterans. My mom was from France and went through the war when she was young and always told us if it wasn't for our Soldiers we would not be here today. Dad was in the USAF and meet my Mom there. I also have a lost relative. His name is SSG Roger S Martin From Franklin NH. His plane went down over the Pacific South West. My Great Aunt was told On Thanksgiving Day Nov. 1945. His 4 sibling's are still alive. They range from 83, 85, 92 and 95. To this day they still wonder about him. I will never forget him. They named the football field after him and last year I made sure they celebrated 75 years the field was dedicated to him.

Jane S.

For Son's Best Friend - Justin J. Swanson

I just ordered a dog tag to honor my son's best friend, Justin J. Swanson, who was killed in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom on November 10, 2009. My son was in the Humvee that drove over the IED that killed Justin. I am so thankful that my son was able to survive and come home however I don't ever want to forget that Justin paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

Laurie F.

For Sgt. Jason Hansen

Yesterday I ordered my Memorial Bracelet to remember Sgt. Jason Hansen. His mother, Vickie Hays, is a friend of mine. I didn't know Sgt. Hansen but know that he was a wonderful young man who was/is admired by many. He is missed every day by his family and friends. I can't wait to be able to honor this young man's memory in this small way.

Rebecca G.

In Memory of My Cousin

I will be wearing the Memorial Bracelet in memory of my cousin who was KIA on March 9,1968. He was the best of the best! Leaving us much too soon... He will be forever 21 and he is always on my mind along with all the others that bravely gave their lives for our country!

Hotly Toddy Ronnie Bateman! We love and miss you everyday!!

Jenny

FOR 1LT DEAN F. SPAULDING JR

Dean was my big brother and best friend.  We had two half brothers who have passed away, and one half brother who I thank God that is still alive. To me he is just my brother, and I love him just the same. Dean and I were very close in age and usually were the only ones we could depend on. Our older brother, when he was 17, went into the Army. One died at 6 months, the other was born the day after my 12th birthday.

Dean was born December 19, 1946.  I was born March 8, 1948, so we were close in age and a year apart in school. He was the best man when I got married. We double dated a lot. So I want everyone to know how great he was. I was pregnant with our son when my husband was in Vietnam. He was wounded, spent 5 months in a hospital, then went back too finish his tour. Dean was in OCS when he came home on leave, he went out bought my crib for the baby's clothes, then bought baby clothes and diapers to fill it. He was more to me than just a big brother, I think of him every day.

My husband spent to tours in Vietnam received the Purple Heart, plus others. He says his most cherished is his CIB badge. I crosse stitched him a picture for it. As he was a lifer a lot of his buddies saw it and asked me to make them one Jerry was in the Army when we got married so I got to spend 23 years as an Army wife and loved and was very proud to be one. So maybe that can tell you why I think our men or women who have served and our still severing our country get respect they deserve. TO BE HONEST tho my heart belongs mostly to the Vietnam VETS, they still haven't got the welcome home they never got.

Sandy