Because When We Are Complacent We Are Vulnerable

My son, husband and I have  ordered bracelets in honor of our son, brother, Ryan S. who was killed in Iraq 6/06.  Though it has been over a year, sometimes the reality still has not sunk in.  Not sure if it ever will. The bracelet will be worn to remind others that there is a very high price that is being paid to keep the war in Iraq because just as soon as we let down our guard, it will be brought home to us in the States.  We didn't learn from the first bombing in NYC so the World Trade Center was used to show our vulnerability.  When we are complacent, we are vulnerable.

For My Dad

I just received the bracelet and I love it. I order the bracelet in remembrance of my Dad.  I also had the Army symbol and the Flag added to remind me of the sacrifices that our military is making now, and also the sacrifice my father made in WWII.  It also made my Mom cry.  I hope to wear it forever just as the love of my Dad is forever.

To Remember Staff Sergeant Joe Goodrich

I received the Memorial Bracelet that I ordered to remember my good friend, Staff Sergeant Joe Goodrich, USMC, who was killed in action on 10 July 2005 in Hit, Iraq. Joe was leading a patrol of Humvees and as they were returning to base, they came under attack by enemy mortar rounds. Joe was mortally wounded, but the Sergeant Major of Joe's battalion wrote in a letter to Joe's wife that he was a good Marine and was radioing for help for his wounded Marines before he died. Joe is survived by his wife Amy, brother George, sister-in-law Rhonda, and his parents.

I met "Goody" in 1996 when we were rookie police officers for the Kennywood Park Police Department. We partnered together as often as our shifts allowed and from 1997 through around 2001, we were the principal field training officers for the annual rookie class of officers. Joe had a great sense of humor and was an excellent police officer. Joe also served as a police officer in McKeesport, PA and Indiana, PA. He supported his wife's deli business by making deliveries and working in the shop with her. Joe had a great love for the Marine Corps and continued as a part-time recruiter. He helped prepare young men and women who were on the delayed-entry program to enter the Marine Corps, coaching them on physical fitness, answering their questions, etc. When I heard that Joe had asked to return to active duty in Iraq, I was not surprised. He was a good man and a good friend to all. He is sorely missed by his family, friends, and by Amy.

A group of former Kennywood Park Police Officers purchased a number of plastic memorial bracelets and distributed them to our members and friends. Another former officer showed me the bracelet that he purchased from your website and I was impressed, so I ordered one for myself. I am very pleased with the quality and appearance of the bracelet and I wear it proudly every day. I want people to ask about it so that I can tell the story of Joe Goodrich, even if it is only in a 20 second conversation. I think that memorial bracelets are a great way to keep the memory of friends alive and to never forget the sacrifices that are made on behalf of this country every day.

For my Husband's Father Who was a Vietnam Vet.

Today I received the bracelet I ordered in the mail. I was so excited once I ordered it I just could not wait to get it. I ordered the bracelet for my husband as a father's day gift. Of course knowing me...I didn't plan ahead and waited last minute to get him something, so I had to make sure that it had lots of meaning. I was browsing through the Internet when I suddenly opened up your web page. I instantly knew that I was in the right spot.

My husband's father was a Vietnam Veteran who returned to the U.S. and was awarded the Bronze Star with a Valor device. From what I was told he was a great man, great soldier and had a great heart. I've never met him because he past away when my husband was 15 years old. My husband and I recently had our first born child...which oddly enough, she was born the same day my husband's father past. So I ordered a Memorial Bracelet with his father's information it. A little something to remind him of his father on his very first father's day.

Katie

For a Vietnam POW from my hometown

It has not been off my wrist. It is of a better quality then the one I had 30 years ago. The lettering is clear and easy to read. Why: My husband participated in Rolling Thunder for the first time this year. He had a great ride. This lead me to take another look at the pow/mia list. I found a solider from my hometown. He may be related to a person I went to high school with. I thought it would be a good idea to honor him.

For the Only Marine I Lost

LCpl Settle was a gunner in one of the vehicles in my convoy when he died.  LCpl Settle was on his second deployment with me when an unfortunate incident occurred which costs him his life.  He is the only Marine I lost in over 300 missions in Iraq. Semper Fi

For Fellow Marine Gsgt Terry Ball Jr.

I wore a similar bracelet for a year until I ran into a Marine who was very intrigued by it and asked where he could get one, so I gave it to my brother Marine as a gift. I then went to the internet to find another bracelet and typed in "memorial bracelet" and your site came up.

I wear my bracelet to honor the man whose name is on it. I feel a part of him is with me and he gets to be involved with Marines and other activities I am involved with. His name is mentioned frequently by myself and other former Marines when we talk about my bracelet, so it kind of keeps his spirit with us. Also interesting to look up the info and background of Gsgt Terry Ball Jr. I am sorry I never met the man but I now feel like I know the man a little better.

Semper Fi,

Cpl Thomas
U.S.M.C Vetran

For Basketball Teammate Maj. Kip Taylor

The reason I ordered this bracelet is because I was reading comments left on Maj. Kip Taylor's memorial site and one of the writers commented that she had found the site by ordering a bracelet and received Kip's name randomly. I remembered one of my babysitters as a child had a Vietnam P.O.W. bracelet, but I had not previously realized anyone was making them for 9/11 victims or present day KIAs.

I knew Kip from playing basketball against his team and later on his team when we were both military brats in Germany. While we were not extremely close, I do remember Kip as one of the kindest most unassuming people I had ever met. I thought wearing the bracelet an appropriate memorial for an outstanding young man who died much too soon. Thank you.

M. Berg

In Memory Of Lost Troops and Operation Iraqi Freedom

Hello from Mosul, Iraq! I just received my bracelet today and just wanted to write and say thank you and it's so perfect! It is just how I imagined it.

There are several reasons behind why I ordered the bracelet. I originally ordered one back in 2005 while I was deployed to Iraq the first time, but upon my return flight back to Iraq I lost my bracelet on the flight and couldn't find it. I was pretty upset. It took me almost two years to find your website. After going through some old emails I found the original receipt from the first time I ordered and remembered that I was so happy with the quality of your bracelet before I thought I would order another one.

The second reason I ordered the bracelet is because this is my second deployment to Iraq. I have lost a great deal of friends over here in the past 4 years since deployments started, so I got the bracelet etched with "In Memory of Lost Troops Operation Iraqi Freedom". I think too many Soldiers have been lost over here and it's time for us to come home before we lose anymore. I get very sick to my stomach every time I attend the memorial service of one of my friends, or even those of soldiers whom I didn't really know, they were people I had met through work and had just happened to say hello to in passing. I think it makes it a little easier for me to remember my friends and the other lost soldiers when I look at my bracelet, and it makes me more grateful that I'm still here today.

I Proudly Wear It Every Chance I Get

I ordered the bracelet with a name of a soldier who was killed in Iraq.  His name is Travis Bruce.  He was killed in Iraq in 2005.  He was from my area of Minnesota and he was a Military Police officer.  I never knew him, but we were both combat tested MPs.  (I was in Iraq from April 2003 to April 2004.)  I felt I owed him the opportunity to keep his memory alive.  What better way to do that than by wearing a bracelet that gets everyone's attention.  I have only worn it one day and I have had a handful of people ask me about it.  I love my bracelet and I will proudly wear it every chance I get.

Because I Feel Good Doing This For Our Country

I received my bracelet today and can't believe how wonderful it is....it is already on my left wrist with a bracelet that I have been wearing since the Viet Nam war....a Lt. Col. L. W. Whitford, missing since 11/2/69. I keep wearing it because I checked on him and he was in a helicopter with another soldier and the copter went down and the bodies were never found. So until......I will wear it. The one I just had made is for a SFC Eric Horton, I went onto Operation Military and they gave me him as a penpal. We have been writing for 3 months and he is on his 3ed deployment and will wear until he is home safe....he is due to come home in Feb. but he keeps getting extended. I have sent him 3 huge boxes, one with a CD,DVD,VCR player in it. My father was a 35 year veteran of the Army and retired as a Brig. General and I feel good doing this for our country.

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.