To Hold Steven Heitman in my Heart

I am a married man, with 2 adult children. One is handicapped, 31 years old, and the joy of my life. The other, 28, has twin children (grandbabies to me) one boy and one girl.

They were born Dec 26, 2008. I can only hope that they can somehow have a learned idea of the travesties of the "police action" of Vietnam. I only missed out on being part of it by 2 years, but from the time I was born, to the days of my senior year of high school, all I knew was "Vietnam war". It sucks that it is not recognized as a "war" per se, they are saying that this new war is the longest of modern history, but we all know "nam" was the longest of all!

I wore the Vietnam MIA bracelet with SSGT Steven W Heitman for most of my years of high school. I didn't have near the appreciation for all of the sacrifices that all of the men and women gave, some a little, and some all. SSGT Heitman gave ALL. I only wish I could of given more of myself, and my sole to the battle they all fought for too many years. I praise God that I didn't have to go to Vietnam, but, I praise all who went, lived, and died, for the freedom that we all have today!!

My original bracelet, I wore through high school, has long since been lost (this really sucks!!) if I only would have realized the true meaning, I would have guarded it with my life, but, as a young dumb teen, I only wore it because "everybody" did. I have lots more brain power now, (not always good), but I hold Steven in my heart, and will wear this new bracelet till the Lord calls me home!! I only hope that if your family happens to read this, they will know that somebody else cares for there son!

With true and lasting Love,

Todd K.

FOR CW5 SHARON T. SWARTWORTH

I am at a military school that is named after CW5 Swartworth (Warrant Officer Career College- Swartworth Hall) and will use the Memorial Bracelet as a dedication during a ceremony.

Rusty

For my Cousin and Good Friend

I ordered two Memorial Bracelets. A Vietnam MIA bracelet is for my cousin, Marshall F. Kipina who was shot down over Laos in 1966. I never met him, but was told he was a great human being and a true patriot. The second one I ordered was a KIA bracelet for a good friend who was the platoon leader of Thomas Vitagliano who was killed in action in January 2005 during Operation Enduring Freedom. I will never forget.

Adam

For My Son's Friend, Classmate and Teammate

I ordered a Memorial Bracelet for my son to wear in memory of his friend, classmate and teammate LCPL. Joshua Davis. He's our hometown hero who gave his all!

To Share the Stories of My Friends with Others

I ordered and wear my bracelet to remember my friends who have fallen. So that everywhere that I go, I carry their memory with me. A bracelet may only be a small piece of jewelry, but it carries a lifetime worth of memories with it. As a Marine, we form lifelong bonds with our brothers-in-arms; their dedication to their fellow troops and their commitment to their country will always be remembered. And my bracelets give me an opportunity to share their story with others.

For My Cousin Michael Dunn

I wear my bracelet for my cousin Michael Dunn, who was KIA in Vietnam in 1969. I was only 12 but I remember. I figure that as long as one person who remembers his is alive he is not forgotten.
Kevin D.

For My Son Dustin

My son Dustin was serving proudly in the USAF when we lost him unexpectedly in a motorcycle accident on December 28, 2006. Dustin had a long time goal for military service and committed himself to make that goal happen. He was serving in AFTAC at Patrick AFB, a highly technical post that has been described as the best and brightest.

As a father, I have no problem acknowledging that Dustin is my hero. He exemplified what a Airman is and he was a son that a family could be proud of. It is for him that I will be honored to wear my Memorial Bracelet.

Bill P.
New Palestine Indiana

To Honor PFC Wayne Bibbs Sacrifice

My husband is active duty Army, and a veteran of 3 wars; the Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan. We have two teenagers at home. If one of our kids decided to join the Army and follow in Dad's footsteps and, God Forbid, something like this happened to them....I would appreciate strangers honoring their memory in this way. The MIA I chose was 17 year old PFC Wayne Bibbs. I would like to honor this young man's name and sacrifice. I will proudly display his name.

Athena M.
Fort Hood TX.

For My Cousin Who Paid the Ultimate Sacrifice

My cousin was killed in Iraq in 2006. Wearing my Memorial Bracelet serves as a daily reminder that freedom isn't free and soldiers like my cousin pay the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country. He and soldiers just like him are the true definition of heroes.

Caroline

For Capt. Michael S. Haskell

Capt. Michael S. Haskell, KIA, Beirut, was known to me as SDI, SSGT. Haskell, PLT 1004, 18DEC72. He molded me into a MARINE. Thank you and RIP SSGT. Haskell.

To Never Let a Snipers Bullet Silence the Memory of Donnie Dixon

The day I got my Memorial Bracelet I went into my office and cried when I opened it. I met Donnie through SSG Brooks. We were in Ba'Qubah, Iraq during the surge in 2007. Donnie was part of the PSD team for the BDE Cdr and I was on the PSD/LRT for the DCO. Casualties where very heavy that summer. We lost so many to IED's, Suicide bombers, and small arms fire. I went to more Hero flights than I want to remember. Out of all of the folks we lost Donnie was one I could put a voice to a face and face to the litter that was carried to the chopper. We had a few conversations over dinner in the DFAC and even though I didn't know him as well as I wish I could have, I swore after his death that I would never let the snipers bullet silence his memory. Rest in Peace Donnie D. Dixon.

SSG Jimmy Ray H.
Live the Legend
Be the Legend
1st CAV DIV
OIF 06-08

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.