Because Freedom is Never Free

While on active duty, the Freedom Flight with the POWs landed, I was able with the help of ground crew and medical staff, locate the exact bird the person whose name was on my bracelet was on. I was able to give him the bracelet with his name on it and explained exactly what the bracelet had meant to me and others who wore them. It was not long before everyone was wiping our eyes to remove the tears that had found their way to each of us that late afternoon.

Today, I still wear three bracelets, one for James Atlee Wheeler (17 April '65), another which list each name of those from Arizona on it and one for Michael Scott Spiker, (although his remains have been repatriated I wear it in honor of all who died in Desert Storm) I recently was able to give another one I wore of Capt. (Col now) earl Hopper Jr, who perished in '65, I was honored to know his father Col Earl Hopper Sr for several decades before his passing. I gave Earl jr's bracelet to his brothers who survived Jr after all these years and who was recently buried at the National Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ.

NEVER FORGET these brave men and women, ALWAYS REMEMBER WHY they are no with us today and that FREEDOM IS NEVER FREE, there is ALWAYS a price to be paid for it!

Aho...


Iam R.

For USAF Col. Burriss N. Begley

Back in the 70s, I had a POW/MIA bracelet. Somehow it got lost through the years. When I found the MemorialBracelets.com website, I was so excited. I now, thanks to you, wear a POW/MIA Bracelet with the name of the same man on it. I never forgot his name. When I first had the bracelet, he was on the MIA list. I have since learned he was killed. His name is Col. Burriss N. Begley, USAF, Dec. 3, 1966, North Vietnam. Somehow I feel very close to him after all these years.

Thank you so much for allowing me to continue wearing Col. Begley's name on my wrist.


Lana G.

For my husband who served in the Iraq war

I wear my Memorial Bracelet to honor the man that was my husband. He served in Iraq in 2005 to 2006, and was a damn good soldier and a great father to our daughter. Sadly, the stuff that happened in Iraq was too much for him and he comitted suicide in 2007. I will miss him everyday I take a breath.

Heather M.

For CPL Andrew Hutchins

My name is MAJOR David Admire.  I'm an Occupational Therapist stationed at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital at FT Campbell KY.  I met CPL Hutchins in my clinic after he fell off a guard tower last year and broke his wrist.  He was evacuated back to the States and had surgery to fix the fractured bone.  He worked extremely hard in therapy, pushing himself, striving to get back to his unit and contribute to the mission.  He never complained about the pain in rehab and was always positive and supported the efforts of other guys that he met in the OT clinic with encouraging words and a motivated - "leading from the front" example.  When he was finally cleared by his orthopedic surgeon to redeploy he was happy to finally be able to return to his unit to do his duty.  He could have easily gotten out of the deployment, but that wasn't Hutchins' style.

On November the 9th, 2010 I was in my office at the hospital at 0730, answering early morning emails and taking my first sips of coffee, when one of my NCO's came in and asked if I'd heard about Hutchins.  When I told him that I hadn't, my SGT related to me how he'd heard on the radio that a CPL Andrew Hutchins had been killed by small arms fire in Afghanistan.  I did a quick Google search of the mornings news and in fact found that the Andrew Hutchins that had worked so hard to rehabilitate his wrist had been shot and killed the day before in a fire fight.

I was stunned.  All I could do was sit and stare at the headlines on the computer screen.  Even before this horrible news, Hutchins was going to be one of those guys that I would never forget due to his amazing attitude and work ethic, not to mention his remarkable recovery from wrist surgery. 

Later that day I made up my mind that I needed to honor the memory of Hutchins in some way.  When one of my patients showed me a Memorial Bracelet that he had for another fallen hero, I knew instantly what I had to do.  A few days later, I checked the website and found Hutchins' name and vowed to order the bracelet.

I received my bracelet with CPL Andrew Hutchins' name engraved on it yesterday and immediately slipped it onto my wrist.  I have a feeling that it is going to be a part of me for a very long time.....probably for as long as his memory is a part of me.

Rest in peace Hutchins.

MAJ David Admire

For an American Hero

The reason I ordered and wear a Memorial Bracelet is for the Hero on the bracelet. I had met the Hero some time before following an IED blast for another Hero. We would see each other around the FOB and even share a meal and small talk. Unfortunately, I had the honor to respond as the Medevac flight-medic that day and be with him until the end holding his hand. I see him every time I close my eyes.

SSG. Keith F. EMT-P

F Co 2/135 AVN Medevac

FOB Farah 

Afghanistan

DUSTOFF

To Never Forget

I wear my bracelet to show my support and to never forget.

For SP4 Gary R. Hinther

I got my Memorial Bracelet just after christmas, for a member of my father's family. SP4 Gary R. Hinther USA June 29, 1968 SVN, from Montana. I am very happy with it. I just wanted to thank you! This is a wonderful way to remember the ones that have faught for our country, but never made it home. This way at least their memory lives on & we can take our family members with us where ever we go.
God bless America!!!! We are strong, proud & will always protect our freedom.

For My Great Uncle CBM James M. Deer

I wear my Memorial Bracelet everyday. My great uncle: CBM James M. Deer USN KIA April 2 ,1945 Asiatic Area USS Dickerson (DD-157) KIA by JAPANESE KAMIKAZES.

For POW Returnee Colonel Arthur Ballard

This is perhaps the most important photograph I have ever made. When my father was serving in the Vietnam War in 1967, my mother obtained a POW bracelet which bore the name of Arthur Ballard. Earlier this year, mom and I found the bracelet in a box.

Thanks to Google, I was able to find the now-retired Colonel Ballard and let him know we had the bracelet and wished to return it to him. While Googling his name, I found your Memorial Bracelets website and it had a listing for Colonel Ballard. I got the POW returnee bracelet and then had the idea for this photo.

Now, some 43 years later, Colonel Ballard has had his bracelet returned to him (one of many returned to him throughout the years), and my mom has his returnee bracelet in its place. It's been an emotional experience for all of us. Corresponding with Col. Ballard has been an honor; he's an American hero and a very dear man. He was held captive for over six years of his life in North Vietnam.

Regards,
Christopher B
Youngstown, Ohio

For an MIA from Oklahoma

I am a veteran of Korea (52-53) and Vietnam (67-68) and I have worn a bracelet since the

late 70's.  It is important that we remember those who have served and the many who have

given their all for our country.  Recently, I misplaced my original bracelet and thought it

appropriate that I order a new one from an MIA from my home state, Oklahoma.  I have had

many, over the years, ask me what and why I wear a bracelet.  That gives me the opportunity

to explain what millions of Americans have done for the USA.  Thank you for your program and

you render a great service to  America and our service people.  Bill Douglas, CMSgt, USAF,Ret.

For Vietnam Veterans

As a fellow Vietnam Veteran I have a lot of respect and wear a bracelet for these fallen brothers.  I came home,  they didn't.  What a price to pay for our freedom.  I'm not sure Vietnam was worth the price.

To Honor 3 Great Soldiers

My name is Jonathan Lugo, The reason I purchased these Memorial Bracelets is to honor and remember the lost of 3 great soldiers whom I had the honor to serve with, two of them during OEF 09-11 and one during OIF 07-09. 

SGT Simpson was a great guy who would touch anyone with his can do attitude. He was a great soldier anyone could come to whenever one needed an advice or tips to get the mission acomplished. I met SGT Simpson back in 08 upon my arrival to the 20th Engineers Battalion. I used to be the S6 NCOIC and he used to work on S3. While deployed here in Afghanistan SGT Simpson served with the 20th Engineer Battalion under HHC and then was moved to the 584th MAC. He got sent home for some illness and he fough with everything he could and re-united with us out here on Fob Frontenac, Kandahar City. I still remember that very day he came back he mentioned to my room mate "I'm finally home". Before his last mission I had the oportunity to sit with him on the dinning facility to eat dinner and I remember we were making jokes and laughing. The day of his mission, he called me to fill his radios since I'm a communications specialist and he told me "Lugo, I want you to fill my radios, I trust you and I know you will ensure I'm taken care of". The night of the attack I was working on the Tactial Operations Center when we received a message notifying us of the attack. I automatically got flashbacks from Iraq and I couldnt believe it. I ran up and down across the FOB to coordinate a recovery accets that can go out there and recover the striked vehicle. When I returned to the toc, I was informed that we had a soldier KIA. When I looked up to the board and saw his name, I couldn't hold my tears. 

SPC Morrison was a soldier who by just talking to you, your day will go smoother. He was a soldier that no matter what was the mission at hand, he never said no. I remember days when I used to work on his vehicle's radio he will sit outside the back door and just talk to me and ask me questions about Iraq and always telling me "Lugo, when are you coming out with us to missions". SPC Morrison was a great soldier and me being a former NCO, I knew he would had become one of the best NCO's I've met. 

My other bracelet was in honor to PFC Hall. I met PFC Hall not too long after finishing with my advance individual training and getting attached to a unit I didn't knew to support them in their deployment to Iraq. Upon my arrival to the 479th Engineers, PFC Hall greeted me and started joking with me for "being a puertorican on a battalion full of gringos". While at Ft. Mc Coy Winsconsin, PFC Hall and I became close friends. He had the ability to make me laugh and make me forget about my fears of my first deployment and allowed me to cope with being a total stranger in a new unit. While in Baghdad, PFC Hall's ability to make everyone laugh and make random jokes even to superiors, allowed me to made it back home alive. There was times when I though that was the end for me but here he came with one of his jokes like "SGT Lugo, why the long face... ohh no SGT you gonna have to do some push ups for me if you going to be so serious" among others. Thanks to him I can say I'm where I am today. To my fallen soldiers from the Nov 5th shooting at Ft Hood, SPC Morrison, SGT Simpson and PFC Hall, you guys will always be in my mind and in my heart. I'm proud of being able to serve with you guys and I will never foget you guys. Thanks for the times we had together.

To keep a close friend near my heart (SPC Matthew George)

I ordered a Memorial Bracelet for a very specific person and a very specific reason. I know most people order them for relatives, but I did it for somebody even more important. There are very few people who would consider Matt important or a big part of their lives, but even if I don't deserve to, I want to be one of them. Matt was killed in action on August 31, 2010 at the age of 22. I had known him since he was 17 (I was 21 at the time) and we were both working together at Kmart. He very quickly became the person that you could talk to. Even after I got promoted to his boss, he was still somebody I could lean on and be myself around. He'd helped me move, spent time with me during the holidays when I was all alone, and been a major support system in my life. Matt and I had a strange relationship. We were close friends. Almost like brother and sister at times (when he was married, I was the only one he talked to about it). Later it turned out that he, at least, was interested in more. After I moved back to MN we rarely talked, but when we did it was baring our souls. He came to visit me for his 21st birthday. While he was up here, he declared his love for me to everybody at the local bar. Think he could have told me first? He witnessed (and was instrumental in) my baby sister (2 days younger than him) meeting her now husband. I regret that he never knew that they were married.

While he was up here, I spurned his advance because I didn't see him as  mature enough. He even left without saying Goodbye to me. He gave me a call while he was in basic and proposed to me. Multiple times. Once he had gotten out, I really may have considered it. We lost touch in the year after he completed AIT. When I found out about his sacrifice, I was heartbroken and saddened. I regret not talking to him more, not being nicer, losing touch, and underrating him. Matthew George always wanted to be in the military on the front lines. He wanted to be somebody. To mean something. Well, even if he never knew it, he was somebody and he meant something to me. I pray that he knows how I feel and how proud I am of him. My punk made a difference!

For Capt. Harley H. Hall

I wear the pow/mia bracelet of my brother, Capt. Harley H. Hall, the
last Navy pilot shot down on Jan.27, 1973 hours before the cease fire
was signed. He was the Blue Angels leader from "70-71" and up for the
astronaut program. He was alive on the ground! His back seater came
home.

Gwen Hall D.

For the Crew of Aircraft King 56

I ordered a Memorial Bracelet to Honor the crew of Aircraft King 56 which was an HC130- P Combat Rescue Aircraft. She was based out of Portland, Oregon with the 939th Rescue Wing. I had just returned 2 weeks prior to the 22 Nov 1996 from a 4 month TDY supporting operation Northern Watch, Turkey with this same aircraft. I would have been with these guys, but I had 3 small kids at the time and a wife that needed my attention after being gone for 4 months. The Crew was a highly experienced crew and I was close to many of them. On 22 Nov 1996 King 56 lost power due to mechanical malfunctions from improper maintenance procedures performed at their home base. Unfortunately, they were over 60 miles off the coast of Northern California at night. They tried to make land, but couldn't and crashes into the Pacific Ocean killing 10 with one survivor.

In April of 96 I trained with most of that crew in the USAF C-130 Advanced Tactical Training Course. That is a course where you fly as low and fast as you can to the ground and through the canyons of Arizona while being chases by F 16 fighters. I can't go into other details but we were never hit by the F 16's or ground fire. The Evaluator instructor was impressed how well we worked as a crew. We as a Crew worked as one which is hard to find. They were the best crew I have ever flown with, some I looked at as Brothers. The USAF did not Honor these great guys not to bring attention to the improper maintenance, but I think of them every day. I have missed them ever since! I Especially missed them on operational Rescue missions /Tactical missions and especially in Iraq and points east. I didn't know what happened to the bracelet and email until my daughter gave it to me for Christmas.

My flying days are over now due to medical injuries and medical mistakes from my Iraq tour in 2003. I remember the boys of King 56 and they were the best! They were Heroes and will always be remembered by me!

To honor the Aircraft itself, we rescuef 3 Canadians 200 miles off the Nova Scotia coast on our way back from Turkey. Their lobster boat caught fire before they could send out a distress call. We (different crew) just happened to be flying over and by the grace of God saw their smoke at 28,000 Ft and initiated the rescue.

TSgt Joseph A. M.

USAF Combat Rescue (retired)

For My Uncle who was a Vietnam P.O.W.

My uncle was a huey pilot during the Vietnam War. He got shot down and was held in captivity for two years. I wear this P.O.W Bracelet to remember what he gave for his country.

For my Lifelong Friend 1SGT Michael Barnhill

I ordered a Memorial Bracelet for my lifelong friend, Michael Barnhill. We grew up together in a very small town, so when I heard he was killed in Iraq, it was like losing a member of my family. I will wear this Memorial Bracelet to honor him as a hero and his sacrifice for this country, to remember him as a friend and good man that he was and to never forget what this country has gone through and sacrificed since September 11. Always Remember!. "All gave some, some gave all".

Respectfully,

Dawn M. G.

For PFC Bowe Bergdahl

I was a Viet Nam era Army wife, so I know what it is like to have someone on foreign soil, putting their life down on the line to preserve the freedoms and rights we citizens of the U.S. have and often take for granted. During the Viet Nam war, I wore a MIA/POW bracelet for an Army Colonel for 7 years, but he was never found or recovered, so I put it away for safe keepings. Every year I search the Army List, but still his name has never appeared. So one day on Facebook, I saw an Ad in the Right column about the Memorial Bracelets and clicked on it to see what it was all about. When I discovered they were similar to the heavy, thick silver MIA/POW bracelet I wore for so long, I knew I wanted to wear another one for another MIA or POW service person overseas. I discovered PFC Bowe Bergdahl is the ONLY American service person held as a POW in Afghanistan, so I knew he was the one I wanted to choose and wear my bracelet for him. Before I even received my bracelet in the mail, I did a lot of research on Bowe and discovered there is not only a lot of controversy surrounding his capture and rumors that he surrendered over to the Taliban, there has been little to nothing by the US Army, or our government, or anyone to bring him safely home to his family, friends and the girl he wants to marry. There have been small rallies for him in his home state of Idaho and some Senators are trying to convince our government to do some prisoner trading for Bowe, but so far......nothing. Bowe and I have some things in common, mainly our love for dance. So upon his safe return to Idaho and his family, I want to give him some time to readjust to civilian life (as I assume, if I were he, he will want to get out of the service after all of this......and I would not blame him one bit. Then I would love to fly to Idaho, meet his family, his girl and him (maybe even attend their wedding).......and give him the bracelet with his name on it that I have not had off my wrist since I received it in the mail.......except to take this picture of it. I know it looks like I have a skinny (I do!!) black (I'm not) wrist, but actually I am white and that is my black stapler on my desk the bracelet is wrapped around......the only thing I could find at the time I took the picture of it. I have posted this picture and messages about Bowe on my Facebook, my Twitter and my E-Mails, asking for prayers for his safe return and for his family and friends. When some of my Facebook friends saw the picture, they wrote to ask where they could get one also and I sent them straight to MemorialBracelets.com , hoping they also will order and wear them. Pat D. Atlanta, Georgia

In Honor of SSGT Matt Maupin

My name is Malcolm and I have had the honour to wear several of your Memorial Bracelets in recent times. I bought one in honor of SSGT Matt Maupin whose Aunt attended a church my family was also attenting in Cincinnati. I was priveledged to give it personally to his mother on the day that his remains were returned to her.

Also, I had another bracelet custom made by your company with the names of the last two Australian servicemen listed as MIA from Vietnam. They were the crew members of a B57 Canberra bomber that was lost after a close support mission and never heard from again. After many years of pressuring the Australian and Vietnamese governments by several organizations search and recovery missions were commenced and these two airmen and the other Diggers who where unaccounted for were all finally located and their remains returned to their families in Australia. I had previously worn another bracelet with the names of these two men for a number of years until it finally wore out and broke. At which time a replacement was ordered from Memorial Bracelets. No sooner had this new one arrived than I learned that the remains of the two men named on it had been located and itentified, thus closing the long, sad and proud story of Australians' service in the Republic of Vietnam. At this time I felt very strongly that I should do something to honor these men and their sacrifice. Since returning the bracelet to their families was not feasible (both names were on it so who would receive it) I decided to send it to the current commanding officer of their squadron; No.2 Squadron, RAAF based at RAAF Williamtown about 100 miles north of Sydney. Some time after sending the bracelet I received a very kind letter from the Officer commanding No.2 Sqn in which he said that he was very appreciative of the gesture and that I could be assured that my bracelet would be placed in a position of honour on the squadron's officers' mess where it could be seen by all and would be appreciated by all as well.

I thought that you might want to know that your work does not only honor this country's service personnel but has had an impact on the other side of the Pacific as well. Keep up the fine work!

Thanks,

Malcolm H.

PS I plan th order another bracelet shortly in honor of my Uncle who was lost in 1944 off the south coast of Norway while serving with the RAF and whose body was never recovered.

Honi soit qui mal y pense.

For Sgt. Brandon E. Adams

I wear my Memorial Bracelet for my best friend's son. His name is Sgt. Brandon E. Adams, & he gave his life fighting in Iraqi Freedom, on 19 Sept. 2004. Brandon was such a great kid,with a great smile. I fondly remember bouncing him on my knee when he was a little boy. Brandon, & his family moved away from our home town, & I hadn't seen him in a few years, but I'll never forget the day his Dad called me, & told me of his death. It hit me hard ! I'll never forget that day. I bought my Memorial Bracelet, & wear it in his honor. He was deffinetly one of " America's Heros ", & I'll never forget him, or his ultimate sacrafice. Steve B.

As a Reminder of My Son's Love and Devotion

I have been wearing my Memorial Bracelet since March of 2005, shortly after my son Trevor was killed in Iraq. I have several different ones, and have one on my wrist at all times. It's a reminder to me of my son's love and devotion to to his country and his family. When someone asks me what it's for, I tell them it's a reminder that Freedom isn't Free. Thank you for this wonderful product. Jewel A. Proud Marine Mom

For the Troops, Lost Buddy and Brother

My son bought me my Memorial Bracelet when the war first started. It says "In memory of lost troops, operation iraqi freedom." He lost a buddy in Iraq & wears his name on his Memorial Bracelet. He is on his second bracelet, due to it fading from wearing everyday. He is on his third tour overseas. First to Iraq, then to Afghanistan twice. He is presently overseas. My youngest son, a senior in high school, wears his Memorial Bracelet in honor of his brother overseas. "Keep my brother safe" We love the bracelets. Thank you for honoring the soldiers. We wear them everyday & will continue to until the war is over. My soldier is a SFC, E-7 recon platoon sergeant serving @ FOB Connolly, Afghanistan.

Thank you,

Pam P.

For Angel Juarbe Jr.

Almost 7 years ago or so I ordered a 9/11 Memorial Bracelet from you guys for a firefighter I knew who passed away on Sept 11th 2001. I wore that bracelet ever day. It never came off of my wrist no matter what I was doing. I would go thru metal detectors at the airport and refuse to take it off and took the wanding treatment instead. I wore it thru the fire academy to remind me that some gave everything so I should give my all. It was like my own little cheerleader telling me to keep going when the academy got hard. The bracelet of Angel Juarbe Jr rode on my right hand until I lost an even closer friend in Iraq in 2007. I then moved Angels bracelet to my fire helmet where it remained until someone stole it from my helmet. But long story short, it was a great reminder as to never forget the ones we love and never forget what they gave up for us. Thank you to your company for such a great product. It held up to everything I put it thru at the fire house. I hope to never HAVE to order another bracelet, but if I do it will definitely be from you guys!

Thanks again,
Firefighter Mark M.
Miami Twp. Fire/Rescue
Yellow Springs, Ohio

A Bracelet Worn 38 Years Ago and Again Today

When I was 15 years old, my sister was married to someone in the Air Force, and they were stationed on Lackland Base in San Antonio. During a visit there, she gave me a bracelet with the name of Robert Lilies on it, MIA. I wore it then, with a prayer for his return, and in honor of all people serving. I was so young and a product of the time not believing in the war. HOWEVER, as I said, I was young and had no real knowledge of what was going on. All I knew was that I would stand behind proudly our "boys" going thru hell, and even death, for us. I know I wore it for at least 2 or 3 years. When I finally took it off, I remember putting it with some cherished items, but somehow thru the years, it was lost. A few weeks ago, my hubby and I were watching a PBS show re: the 1960's. With pictures of the Vietnam War on, I remembered my POW/MIA bracelet. It occurred to me that with internet, I could find his name somewhere listed as an MIA. I did find his name, but under KIA. As I read the info that was on his bracelet, it all came back to me. Additionally, I was able to read more info re: where he was from, Louisiana, and info re: his crash. I cried. Thirty eight years have passed. I am no longer a youth with all of life ahead of me, but I have enjoyed a very good life...much in part due to freedom I have known my entire life. I am blessed with 3 sons, one of which has served in The Air Guard for 10 years. A mother's heart is thankful he has not been called to go to Iraq...how could I not honestly be? However, he may be going in less than a year. He has been more than ready to go and do his part as his "brothers" have. If that does occur, God will get me thru it as He has been faithful to do thru the generations. I am waiting for my new POW/MIA Bracelet from Memorial Bracelets in the mail excitedly. As 38 years ago, I will wear it in memory of Robert Lilies, a man I never met, but is so special in my heart. How I wish I could have contact with a family member! I believe he would be 70 years old today, had he lived. I will wear the bracelet in thanks to all military, who have served that I have lived free. I will wear the bracelet proudly in honor of my son, Seth Allen Mason. And lastly, I will wear it until it falls apart, as a constant reminder to pray for all of the above, and as a hope for a day of peace!

To Remember the Person Born on the Same Day

I read an article in my local paper about a guy who had worn one of these Memorial Bracelets, and recently returned it to the family. I went online to learn more about them, and found this website. As I was scrolling through the names, (of which there are still to many), I noticed one with my birthdate. I thought it was a sign, so I bought it!! I hope by doing this to spread the word about this project. Thank you, Patty L.