To Remind Others That They're Still Out There

I ordered a bracelet because I was in the Army for 8 years, but I never had to go through what anyone of these people went or is going through. I cannot imagine the pain and anguish that these families go through holding out hope that their loved one is still alive. I want to do something so that other people will not forget that there are some out there who have not returned home. I am not only wearing one for SSG Maupin but I am wearing it to remind people here at home that he and many other POW/MIA's  are still out there and that we should not forget.

To Show Real Support for Our Troops

I ordered the bracelet because the way a lot of people are treating the troops right now and the way they are talking about the war is very upsetting to me and disturbing at the time I went to Iraq, 2004, everyone was supportive and there was not much negativity as now. So I wanted a bracelet to remember a good friend of mine who died in combat in Iraq. We were very close I remember one thing the most when he came to my unit in Hawaii he had never drank before when showed up in my barracks room some buddies and I were drinking beer and Jack so I convinced him to take his first drink and welcomed him to the unit. The rest is history.

For My Girlfriend and Daughter

I always wore a vietnam pow bracelet while in high school, and I don't know what ever happened to it through the years.  My girlfriend's cousin was in the 82 airborne as is my daughter's boyfriend.  My girlfriend's cousin was killed in Jan. and the camp my daughter's boyfriend is at was named after him so I gave one to my girlfriend and I will wear one as well for a tribute to both men.

To Honor the Fallen

I will wear it and remember the brave solider CW2 Michael T. Blaise who died protecting us. I will also remember all the brave servicemen and women who risk their lives everyday for us. My niece Jennifer is a Sergeant in the Army on her second tour.

I chose Michael Blaise after reading his wife's book on their life in the army and how her and Michael loved each other and their country. Their story inspired me and I wanted to honor his memory by wearing his name on the bracelet. I truly hope that more Americans will honor the fallen by wearing these bracelets and never forget that their lives will always mean something to us, they will never be forgotten.

For LCDR Michael Speicher

I have received my bracelet and love it.  I ordered the bracelet for LCDR Michael Speicher who went MIA on 17 Jan 1991 when his plane went down over Iraq.  Although I was only 8 years when this happened, I remember watching on the news the events unfold about the war and seeing pictures of LCDR Speicher and his MIA status.  It shaped my future from that point on, I knew I would join the military and serve as he did.  I always felt it was unfair - those who went missing, captured or killed and the families left behind, and knew it was my destiny in life to serve.  Although LCDR Speicher was a Navy pilot, he inspired me to follow my dreams and serve in the Air Force.  I ordered the bracelet to always be there as a reminder of why I choose to serve and help me when things get tough. 

For SSG Darran Cunningham

SSG Darran Cunningham died six hours after they told him he could retire and go home his job was done ! Darren was great Father a great friend and foremost a great solider.

For SSG Kennon

The story behind mine is... I am a 1LT in the US Army. I was a Fox Recon Platoon Leader at one point. I had a squad leader, SSG Kennon. He left my platoon and PCSed to Fort Campbell. He was assigned to an Infantry unit in the 101st. He was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. I wear his name as a remembrance for his ultimate sacrifice. He was one of my best soldiers. We all miss him dearly.

My Best Friend J. Bryan Chism

Thank you so much for the bracelet. The bracelet is beautiful, just like I wanted it. I have gotten so many complements on the bracelet. I located your site while I was doing a search for J. Bryan Chism. And I feel in love with the idea.

My story on why I order one is easy. Jan 20, 2007 I lost my best friend, my 'fiancee' if its the best way to say it. He died in Iraq and it hurts cause I loved him so much.

To Honor His Memory 41 Year Later

To remember how lucky I have been in my life and to honor a fellow Air Force service member who did not return. I was overseas at the time this Airman went missing, June 22, 1966. I thank God everyday for my return and this was just alittle something I could do to help keep his memory alive and honor him for his service to our great country.... some 41 years later.

To Replace My Fiancee's Bracelet

My fiancée was in boot camp in 1991 in Texas and bought a bracelet on base with CPL Harley John Jenk's name on it.  He wore the bracelet everyday until it broke last year.  He never took it off.  I emailed your company in December last year and you added his name to the list of KIA in Vietnam.  I was so excited that I could replace the bracelet for him. He wears it every day and doesn't take it off. 

Thank you so much the bracelet means a lot to him.

For My Children's Step Father

I ordered one for me because my husband is active duty in the Army and has been for 13 years and we have only been married for a year. He deployed Jan 07 for his second tour to Iraq and this is all so new to me and my children.  I just wanted to show my support to him and how proud I am of him and to be his wife. My children saw my bracelet and asked for one to wear to show support to their step-dad and to also show how proud they are of him and what he does for our country.

This bracelet was to help remind me of why I wear a uniform. There are 2 names on the bracelet of 2 men that were in a unit I was once a part of; MSgt. William McDaniel and SSgt. Jaun Ridout. They were both Air Force PJs that were killed in the Philippines during Operation Enduring Freedom. The gave their lives to uphold their motto "That Others May Live." Its hard to be the one that made it home when others didn't. Seeing their names on my arm will help remind me to serve my country in a manner that they will not be ashamed.

For My Son... And Myself

The pastor of our chuch has a bracelet and my son, who is 10 yr. old asked Fr. about the bracelet. Fr. West explained the significance of the bracelet.  If our son gets good grades on his report card, he usually gets to pick something as a reward.  Last month, he told me he wanted a POW bracelet for his report card.  I discussed this choice with him and told him that my mother and I had POW bracelets when I was his age.  I had returned my bracelet at the end of the war to the memorial.

 

He had found your website and asked me to sit with him while he picked out his soldier's name.  While doing this, he asked me the name of the soldier on my bracelet.  After all these years, I remembered it clearly.  Col. Gilland Corbitt- USAF.  We found his on your website.  I was extremely sad to think that my soldier had not come home and that he was not being remembered.  I ordered another bracelet with Col. Gilland Corbett's name.

 

I hope that my son's bracelet will mean as much to him as mine has to me.

To Honor Our Fallen Fire Fighter

My brother-in-law Lt. Ray Murphy of Engine 39 Ladder 16 was killed on 911 Ray was killed when the second tower fell, leaving behind his wife and two sons, Ray loved his job and it was no surprise to us that he ran back into the tower to do what he could to help, Ray's body was discovered on Oct 1st.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

To Remember A Close Friend

 My father served as a navigator in the Korean Conflict.  In 1968, when I was 15 years old, he was recalled to active duty during the Vietnam war.  Our family of 7 was moved from the east coast to Forbes AFB in Topeka, Kansas. Our neighbors in our duplex house were Anne and Tom who also had 5 children.  Our families grew very close, and remained in contact even after my father's tour was over.

  I was by then a senior in high school and had become an ardent anti-war activist when Tom's plane was shot down near the end of the war. I was saddened by the senselessness of his death so near to the end.  I was aware that Ann was challenging the identification of his body, but as I entered college and eventually married,  my contacts with the family diminished. 

 I am now an English teacher and one of my students was doing a research paper on the role of the Air Force in Vietnam.  I began assisting him, and stumbled upon the information about Tom during our search.  I was unaware of the information which had been released through the Freedom of Information Act.

 Now, as we deal with a war which reminds me, sadly, of Vietnam, I am proud to wear Tom's memorial bracelet in the hope that his memory will remind me to encourage others that things like this should never happen again.

To Remember "A Soldier's Soldier"

Major Doglas E. Sloan was the son of a friend of mine that I worked with while he was employed as the VA rep for Charlevoix County in northern MI where I am employed as the Senior Bldg. Inspector. His son was a Ranger trained 82nd Airborne veteran who was a company commander in the 10th Mtn. Division in Afganistan. Major Sloan was showing his relief officer around when he was killed by an IED on 10/31/06 just hours before he was scheduled to go home. He was buried with full honors at Arlington on 11/14/06 in a ceremony attended by hundreds (including myself). Major Sloan was loved not only by his men but also by his fellow officers. He was described by those that knew him as "A Soldiers's Soldier" and will be sorely missed by all.