For T. Pilkington

During my last tour in V.N. on Yankee Station, my ship the USS Topeka clg 8 was attached to the carries group that T. Pilkington flew from. He went down about the time we were relieved and rotated stateside. While on Yankee Station, we were involved in numerous s.a.r pick ups. I ordered a replacement for my original Memorial Bracelet which broke after many years of hard and honorable wear. I left the military after 14 yrs. of active/reserve service. My oldest son followed in subs, and I have daughter on Enterprise today. He will never be forgotten as long as I live. John O.

To Keep Bowe Bergdahl in My Heart and Prayers

I bought the POW Bracelet to keep Bowe Bergdahl and his family in my heart and prayers until he comes home alive and well.

For Cotto, an Incredible Leader and Friend

The reason I wear this particular Memorial Bracelet is because this man was my team leader for a time while I was stationed in Okinawa as a Marine TOW gunner. Cotto was an incredible leader and friend. We heard of his death while we were on the front lines in Kuwait, and it was as if we had been hit too. Semper Fi Cotto!

In Memory of a Classmate

The Vietnam Bracelet I purchased is in memory of a classmate of mine who was KIA in Vietnam just before I arrived "in-country". Doug is the only person I knew personally who was killed in Vietnam. I purchased another bracelet from a "commercial" website & it occurs to me that money merely went in somebody's pocket as profits. None of it went to anywhere else. Further, I had to provide the seller all the information to be put on the bracelet. I ordered this one (which I intend to wear proudly) because the site was connected to the Memorial and a percentage of the profits go where they'll do some good.

David B.

2118010 USMC

1964-1968

For Sgt Donald J. Lamar II

I ordered my Memorial Bracelet to honor a dear friend, Sgt Donald J. Lamar II who was killed in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan on May 12. To myself, our friends and the rest of the community Donald is a true American Hero and will live on in our hearts forever, and now not only will he be in my heart forever, but I'm able to celebrate his life and his sacrifice each day with this bracelet on my wrist! :)

For the Love of My Life

I received my pewter dog tag today and it is perfect. I wear this for Lt Richard Homuth, a US Navy pilot missing since 5/23/67, over water in NV. He was the love of my life, never got over him and I shall wear this forever. Thank you so very much.

For Col.Charles E. Shelton USAF 29 Apr 1965 Laos

The idea of me of wearing my bracelet originally came from my uncle, who is still on active duty with the Army for over 20 years. He has worn his bracelet for over 8 years. I have always had a great respect for anyone that has served in any armed forces, that allows me to live my life without fear in our great country. I wanted to wear a name that is from my home state of Kentucky, and I came across Col Charles E. Shelton. After ordering my bracelet, I began to research Col. Shelton and began to find a man with an amazing story. I studied all I could about him so I may pass on his story and educate anyone that asks about my bracelet. I love the fact that I can speak about him and honor his name and family on a daily basis.

President Reagan once said "A country that forgets is fighting men, is a country that in itself will be forgotten." And I find this holds true every day, especially for all the men and women who gave thier lives for our freedom. I wear my bracelt to never forget and to spread the awareness to whom might take thier liberties for granted. I am honored and priviledged to wear my bracelet everyday and to never let anyone ever forget Col. Charles E. Shelton Owensboro, Ky.

Greg C.

Louisville, Ky

To Celebrate My Husband

I will proudly wear my bracelet not in memorial of anyone, but in celebration of what my husband does every day. He is such a brave man and is in the fire service to make a difference in the community and for our family. Mine reads "Keith A. Bryan FF/EMT, Forest Hill Fire Rescue, 'Lord, please protect my man in blue'". I admire him so much for the sacrifices he makes with his time and his life, and I want to honor him every day and show the world how proud I am of him. He's worked hard and will forever be learning and furthering his career. To all those men & women in ANY kind of service......THANK YOU. You are appreciated in a quiet way every day.

Ashley Bryan

Proud wife of a Firefighter/EMT

For Vietnam MIA CPO Michael J. Kustigan

on November 7th, 1989, I picked a thin, red, aluminum band from a box of other red and silver bands. The name on it was CPO Michael J. Kustigan. He was a missing soldier from Viet Nam and would be my constant companion for over 20 years. The simple band I picked out of the box was easy to take off, but it would be worn day and night, every day, rarely taken off. It would only be taken off for two operations and my wedding. I wore it so much that the red stain rubbed off unil it was silver and the letters had almost worn away. I wore it so much, that it broke. The aluminum finally gave way after 20 years, 6 months and 6 days of constant wear. I couldn't bear to be without it. It had been a part of me for so long, I had to get a replacement. That's when I found your site, found his name, and got a much stronger, stainless steel one that I will hopefully wear for another 20+ years. Arlene G.

My Friend Andres H. Perez

Andres H. Perez was a wonderful young man. We became friends our freshman year of high school back in 1997. We played football and had many classes together through out school. A great student and awesome lineman on the field and in the weight room, serious when needed and happy as hell the rest of the time! He was my "brown buddy" and I his "white buddy". Such a happy, smart, caring person that made an impact on many lives.

In 2001 right out of high school, Andres enlisted and began his journey with the Marines and went and fought the fight in OIF. He was unfortunately killed in Al Anbar Province, Iraq on November 14, 2004 due to a IED. He was laid to rest back in our home town of Santa Cruz, Ca where he is not forgotten, You can go there anytime of the year and find the flowers or flags left behind for one of our American heroes. His memory will never be erased from my memory and as I do my time in the Army I do it for him and this great nation.
--
Flechsig Adam L.
US Army

For my friend Kevin Cahill

The reason I chose Kevin Cahill is because I knew him. He was a neighbor and friend during my years during elementary school. I worked with his Uncle and was saddened to learn of his death in Vietnam. I will wear the bracelet to preserve his memory.

Robert W.

To Memorialize a Marine

I chose to purchase a Memorial Bracelet for a Marine that was killed in Afghanistan. I served in the Marines from 1993-1997. I was moved by a PBS special about the War on Terror and how it affected military members coming home. I already know about the affects, but to hear the stories of the two wars going on right now and the PTSd that a lot of military personnel are coming home with is staggering. I wish I could do more and help every family who has lost someone in the war going on right now. I will remember the Marine that I chose to memoralize on my arm and remember him every time someone asks me what my bracelet is. Maybe that will encourage someone else to donate money or time to help out in their own way.

Semper Fi

Bob C.

For SGT Dale Griffin

I wear a Memorial Bracelet for SGT Dale Griffin, KIA 27 OCT 2009 in AFG. I wear it because I was there when he and six other Soldiers were killed by an IED. It is a constant reminder to me on a big level of why we fight, and a reminder to always try to be the kind of stand up guy Dale was. There are lessons we learn from all the friends we have and all the friends we loose. It falls on those of us who are still here to make sure that those we have lost are not forgotten.

LT T
C 1-6

For Someone My Husband Served with in Desert Storm

I ordered this Memorial Bracelet for my husband for Father's Day. The name on the bracelet was someone he served with in Desert Storm who was KIA by an IED in Iraq. I know he will never take it off.

Thank you for offering this service to those of us who support the troops.

For SPC Russell Hercules, Jr.

One of my best friends was killed on October 1st, 2009. SPC Russell Hercules, Jr. He was a great person and always knew how to make someone laugh. When he was around, there was never a dull moment. I wish everyone would have had the chance to meet him. It's especially a hard thing for me to deal with because my husband and I welcomed our first baby at 6:03 am on October 1st and I got the devastating phone call at 9pm that same night. But he died doing something he loved and believed in. The Memorial Necklace will remind me of that and it is something I will wear everyday.

Nicky W.

For Willard D. "Dale" Marshall

I ordered the Memorial Bracelet for me to wear in memory of my husband's best friend, Willard D. "Dale" Marshall, who was killed in Viet Nam in 1968. The dog tag is for my husband to place with the Memorial Wall rubbing of Dale's name.

I wore one of the original Viet Nam POW/MIA bracelets back in the 1960s, but had no idea they were being sold now until I saw your site on FaceBook. Thank you so much for offering these items.

Sincerely,

Sara Joiner E.

Maggie's Valley

In Honor of My Nephew PFC Aaron J. Ward

I will wear my Memorial Bracelet forever in honor of my hero, my nephew
PFC Aaron J. Ward. He had only served in the Army just under a year
and had already decided he was going to be a career soldier. He was
young and loved the uniform, the Army and most of all his country.
Aaron was born on 4/29/89 and was Killed In Action on 5/6/08 which was
a week after his 19th birthday. He was a fantastic kid that everyone
that knew him loved him and for such a short period here with us he
sure touch so many people. I learned from a fellow soldier the
following "All Soldiers are Heros and Heros never die, they just
muster at a separate rally point and move on to the next objective! So
5/6/08 will forever be remembered as "Aaron's Heroism" to me, his
uncle, the family and his friends that still visit and call his mom.
You are thought of often and loved even more, Forever Young Kid.

Uncle Gary
In Honor of:
PFC Aaron J. Ward
4/28/89-5/6/08 (KIA)
Al Anbar Province, Iraq

For My Beautiful Fiance 2LT Peter Burks

I wear a Memorial Bracelet for my beautiful fiancé, Army 2LT Peter Burks, who was killed November 14, 2007, in Baghdad, Iraq. I wear it to keep him close to my heart, and to share his story with people that ask me what the bracelet stands for. I wear it to spark awareness with fellow Americans who might forget that we're still fighting this war, and to support the soldiers defending us downrange. I wear it as a link to Pete's unit, 4/2 SCR, and as a tribute to all veterans. I wear it as a reminder that "we are under the control of a good God, no matter what the circumstances," as Pete once said. I wear it to remain vigilant in daily life, and to show gratitude for the reasons our flag flies proudly in the American sky. I wear it as a link to the Army of Angels who paid the ultimate price for people that might never even know their names. Most of all, I wear my Memorial Bracelet as a representation of Heavenly love wrapped up in the 26 short years Pete shared here on earth.

"Toujours Pret."

Melissa H.

Fiancee of 2LT Peter Burks, U.S. Army

For My Brother from Hanson, MA

I ordered the Memorial Bracelets with my brothers name on it as he was killed in action in Viet Nam 10/02/1966. My home town of Hanson, Massachusetts will be honoring him by dedicating a square in town to him on June 5th. He has a son which he never got the pleasure of meeting cause he got killed before he was born so one of the braclets is for him to wear.

Carol

To Show My Pride For My Brave Son

I wore an "Until You Come Home" Bracelet. My Son and I, 1ST. LT.Gary Laughlin on his return home 2009. To show my pride for my brave son and all the brave Men and Women serving this Country. I continue to wear Memorial Bracelets in respect to all who lost their lives protecting my freedom.

Gary L.

For My Friend Ronnie Fegan

I wear the KIA Bracelet every day for my best friend from the U.S. Naval Pre-Flight School in Pensacola, FL, Ronnie Fegan.

Robert D.

Sonoma, CA

For 1LT Brian Bradshaw

I never met 1LT Brian Bradshaw and I do not know his family. I wear his Memorial Bracelet because he was the first officer to die shortly after I arrived in Afghanistan last year. When I read his story and discovered that he grew up near my home town and did similar things growing up as I did, I was deeply touched! Also, Michael Jackson died the same day 1LT Bradshaw was killed and the pop star was all over the news and not a mention about this American hero was anywhere to be found. This was upsetting to me so I decided to purchase 1LT Bradshaw's bracelet to honor him in a way Michael Jackson will never be honored.

Additionally, 1LT Bradshaw is buried in the same National Cemetery as my father. When I go home this summer to visit family and attend my daughter's high school graduation, I am going to go visit 1LT Bradshaw when I go to spend time with my Dad at Mount Tahoma National Cemetery.

It is a shame that we have young men and women dying every day in combat and they barely make the news anymore. But, when a celebrity dies they are immortalized forever.

Rest in Peace 1LT Brian Bradshaw. God Bless your family!

Respectfully,
BRENDA V
CPT, AG
XO, FORSCOM DEPUTY G3/5/7

For Those Who Gave Their Lives so Others Would Not Lose Theirs

I orderd this Memorial Bracelet because these people gave their lives so others would not lose theirs, and I think they need to be remerbered for that and never forgotten. What they did was a very dangerous, commendable and very brave, and they deserve more recognition.

God Bless those who lost their lives and comfort for their families.

43rd anniversary of the death of Cpl. Robert Katavolos

21 May 2010, is the 43rd anniversary of the death of Cpl. Robert Katavolos USMC.

A member of Mike Co. / 3rd BN / 9th Marines. Their "TAOR" Tactical Area of Responsibility was Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. Where on 21 May 67, he gave his life for his country.

We went to grade school together, hung out as teenagers together and joined the US Marine Corps together on the same day. We both served in South Vietnam in 1967 but in different units and were both "Grunts" 0311 Riflemen.

Marines never forget our fallen brothers and Cpl. Robert Katavolos was more like part of my family. I will wear his KIA Bracelet proudly, to me it means much more than a simple bar of Stainless Steel with a name.

Please take a minute of silence in his memory and if you ever go to "The Wall" in Washington, DC. His name can be found on (Panel-20-East/Line 76). May he be resting in peace and remain in our hearts.

Semper Fi

In Memory of our Son Jesse

I ordered a Memorial Bracelet and will wear it every single day in memory of our son Jesse A. Mellott. Jesse took his life at age 21 on August 29, 2007. I will never ever get over this, and my loss and grief go so deep. I want him with me always and this is a way I feel I can do that.

Thank you,
Sue