For Sgt. Jason Hansen

Yesterday I ordered my Memorial Bracelet to remember Sgt. Jason Hansen. His mother, Vickie Hays, is a friend of mine. I didn't know Sgt. Hansen but know that he was a wonderful young man who was/is admired by many. He is missed every day by his family and friends. I can't wait to be able to honor this young man's memory in this small way.

Rebecca G.

In Memory of My Cousin

I will be wearing the Memorial Bracelet in memory of my cousin who was KIA on March 9,1968. He was the best of the best! Leaving us much too soon... He will be forever 21 and he is always on my mind along with all the others that bravely gave their lives for our country!

Hotly Toddy Ronnie Bateman! We love and miss you everyday!!

Jenny

FOR 1LT DEAN F. SPAULDING JR

Dean was my big brother and best friend.  We had two half brothers who have passed away, and one half brother who I thank God that is still alive. To me he is just my brother, and I love him just the same. Dean and I were very close in age and usually were the only ones we could depend on. Our older brother, when he was 17, went into the Army. One died at 6 months, the other was born the day after my 12th birthday.

Dean was born December 19, 1946.  I was born March 8, 1948, so we were close in age and a year apart in school. He was the best man when I got married. We double dated a lot. So I want everyone to know how great he was. I was pregnant with our son when my husband was in Vietnam. He was wounded, spent 5 months in a hospital, then went back too finish his tour. Dean was in OCS when he came home on leave, he went out bought my crib for the baby's clothes, then bought baby clothes and diapers to fill it. He was more to me than just a big brother, I think of him every day.

My husband spent to tours in Vietnam received the Purple Heart, plus others. He says his most cherished is his CIB badge. I crosse stitched him a picture for it. As he was a lifer a lot of his buddies saw it and asked me to make them one Jerry was in the Army when we got married so I got to spend 23 years as an Army wife and loved and was very proud to be one. So maybe that can tell you why I think our men or women who have served and our still severing our country get respect they deserve. TO BE HONEST tho my heart belongs mostly to the Vietnam VETS, they still haven't got the welcome home they never got.

Sandy

For LCPL Ballard

I just purchased my second bracelet from Memorial Bracelets.  I chose Lance Corporal Norman C. Ballard, KIA 30 Jan 68, SVN. He is from my little bitty hometown of Felda, FL. Semper Fi!

Kelli T.

For Major James Fowler

During the Vietnam war I wore the bracelet honoring Major James Fowler who was POW/MIA. Since then he was found to be KIA. He is never far from my mind/prayer. I have just ordered a Memorial Bracelet with his name so that once again, he will be close.

Deb W.

For SSgt Ries and Cpl Kielion

I have 2 anniversary's coming up. I escorted 2 Marines home that were killed in Iraq. SSgt David G. Ries was killed on 8 Nov 2004 and Cpl Shane E. Kielion was killed on 15 Nov 2004. I have never been the same since the day I carried them home from Dover and presented them to their familes and children. I got a tattoo last year on my wrist and always wear my Memorial Bracelets. Every time I put my arm out or hake someone's hand it is an opportunity to tell people about them. Never forget!

Christie W.

For Ashcraft, Lyon, Moore and Martinez

For Sgt Ashcraft, Cpl Lyon, Cpl Moore USMC, honor Lcpl Daniel A. Martinez Feb1st 1991- July 28 2013 gone but never forgotten

Brandon L.

For Major Andre and Major Sizemore

Major Howard V.  Andre, Jr. and Major James E. Sizemore were recovered and laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery on Sept. 23, 2013. My husband and son, even though they received the new MIA Bracelets, chose to never wear them.  They just couldn't take the old weathered ones off, and the new ones remain in the plastic they arrived in.  

This was a double ceremony, with Major Andre and Sizemore being buried side by side together at the same time, same service, double caissons etc....  At the viewing the night before, my son removed his weathered MIA bracelet and placed it on his grandfathers decorated uniform that rest on top of his remains. My husband and his sister followed suit. They admitted it was hard. Those bracelets had become a part of them after wearing for so many years and they feel naked without them, but Major Andre isn't MIA anymore. They were conflicted but it felt like the right thing to do to lay them to rest with their Father/Grandfather.

For LCDR James A. Beene

I still have my original POW-MIA bracelet from the Vietnam War. It broke, and I got a new one which I still wear. The broken one is kept in a special place. I'm still waiting for LCDR James A. Beene....

Tracie H.

Form AG2 Matthew Michael Flocco

As September 11 approaches, keep those who mourn and hurt in your prayers always, but especially during this time. Bear one another's burdens. I had to replace my Mercy BAND (bear another's name daily), lost it in a military move, but I replaced it with the same name as I got right after 9/11 happened.  The same name I wore on my wrist on my wedding day, and so many days in between. I don't know AG2 Matthew Michael Flocco, or his family, but they are prayed for.  Praying for peace, comfort, and love to surround them.

For SSG Job Reigoux

My close friend, Job M. Reigoux, was killed in Afghanistan on 1 June 2013, from injuries he sustained thanks to a coward with an RPG. I ordered the bracelet on 2 June, when I learned of his death.

Every person we've lost - every person named on your blog - is a whole person, and there are not words enough to describe the world you lose in the person who is gone. Let me say that he was, at bottom, a Non-Commissioned Officer in every sense of the word, and every NCO that has ever had the honor to wear the stripes will understand the world contained in that statement. As an NCO myself, I ask myself what Job would do when confronted with a situation in which I am unsure what the right answer is. Job has not guided me wrong yet, nor do I think he ever will.

The loss never ends, it reverberates every second of every day. His unit flew home three weeks after he died, and he was supposed to have been transferred to a larger post three days before his death, but the move was postponed. There is great bitterness in knowing that, in knowing that had some Army bureaucrat not changed their mind from the safety of a hardened TOC somewhere, he would still be here. But there is less bitterness when I think of all the things he taught me when he was alive, and all the things he still teaches me now he is gone. There is even greater comfort in knowing that when my time comes, he will be there.

I do not remove this Memorial Bracelet; it has not left my wrist from the moment I opened the package in the mail. When I deploy in future it will be there with me, and so will be he.

SSG Alexandra G.

10th Mountain Division

For Marine Embassy Guard Rick

I am a Embassy brat. My family was assigned to India in 1968. There was a Marine Guard there named Rick. He was the youngest one and I was madly in love with him. (lol) I was 7/8. In 68 he was sent to Viet Nam. I've never known what happened to him and I have never forgotten him. I wear a MIA in his honor. But we are forgetting a KIA!!! BENGAZIE! Where is their remembrance? Can anyone tell me?

This Embassy Brat remembers those who Guard:'(

Deboraha M

For Capt. Charles Nasmyth

I wore Capt. Charles Nasmyth's POW Bracelet during the Viet Nam war......he returned to us......Wish I would have been able to have met him or at least communicated and let him know that I wore his braclet......I would have also given it to him if he would have wanted it.....I'm pretty sure I still have it.

Judy R-H

For Cousin Ronnie Zemple

Ordering mine this week to honor my cousin Ronnie Zempel who was lost at sea in Vietnam. As a Gulf War Vet, I thank every Vet out there for your service!

Paul K.

For SSG Panchot and CPO Faas

I wear one Memorial Bracelet for SSG Dale Panchot and Navy Chief Petty Officer John Faas.  Two Minnesota warriors who gave there life defending and protecting our freedom.

Bravo M.

For Jason Hansen

Yesterday I ordered my Memorial Bracelet to remember Sgt. Jason Hansen. His mother, Vickie Hays, is a friend of mine. I didn't know Sgt. Hansen but know that he was a wonderful young man who was/is admired by many. He is missed every day by his family and friends. I can't wait to be able to honor this young man's memory in this small way.

For My Australian Brothers in Arms

Cheers guys got my package just recently after my old one from battalion wore out....happy to be showing my respects again.

DUTY FIRST
Never Forget  Never Forgive
Brother By Choice

Jimy S.

For Bowe Bergdahl

In 1972, I was living, & working 7 days a week, in Memphis, Tn, & my birthdate was read over the radio via WLS out of Chicago for the 69 tag pulled from the lottery, .....

I went down to the Memphis AAFEES Station & enlisted, I have had rotten tomatoes, & eggs thrown at me, while boarding aircraft in the US from protesters against the war, but went on to my duty stations, regardless of where they would take me, . . . . I was 18, scared, but sure of my companions, & leadership, & would have followed them into hell if so ordered, . . . . & still would, . . .

Death does not scare me as it used to, but agonizing suffering does, . . . So I would wear one of these POW bracelets for Sgt. Bergdahl with the same pride that I wore our uniform, i have had to go without hot meals for weeks on end, wash up out of a steel pot using the sandy dust for water, & find a place to crap far enough away from our encampment so that the stench would not overpower your senses, without the protection, or convenience of TP, utilizing what ever was at hand, eating 35 year old C-rations on an every meal basis, for weeks on end, . . . & lived out of our vehicles, & doing field maintenance that should have been done on a preparatory basis, instead of waiting for field trials to bring our unreadiness to our attentions, cannabalizing parts off of equipment, to make our vehicles run, & even rewired a deuce & 1/2 with commo wire & still managed to pass a V-Corp inspection, because it was logged as field expedience, . . . . . 

The oath I undertook as an 18 year old has never expired for me, & it never shall, . . . . 

I love my country, & will always defend her, for the rights & liberties that we still enjoy today, . . . . Regardless of who is in office, or what party they may belong to, . . . Has no effect in my judgement, with all of my faculties intact, . . .

John E. O. III

For HM1 Darrell Enos

I got a Memorial Bracelet today to remember HM1 Darrel Enos KIA, 17 Aug 2012. He was a friend and co-worker of mine when I was stationed in Maryland. It was an honor to serve with him!

Cadance M.

For Jack VanLoan

I wore a bracelet for Jack VanLoan, during his imprisonment in Viet Nam, continued till I found out he was back home. God Bless all our service men and women, fighting for our freedom now and past.

Barbara W.

For a Fallen Brother in Arms

I received my Memorial Bracelet yesterday for a fallen brother, and I am amazed at the quality of the bracelet, it is absolutely impeccable. It is amazing how much a maybe six-inch strip of aluminum can mean so much to somebody, and it is my most precious possession as of yet. He was my best friend, a brother in arms, and now will he not only live on forever in my heart, but also as a reminder on my wrist.

Thank you so much for what you are doing, thank you so much for honoring my dear friend by making this bracelet for me, and hopefully, I will never have to order a KIA/DOW bracelet from you again.

Thanks SO much and God bless you, and the United States Of America.

Sincerely,

Luke from Georgia

For Lt. Larry Martin

I had a Vietnam Pow bracelet for Lt Larry Martin. He was found...but not alive. I felt so bad for his family. I wore that until he was found in the 80's. I'd wear another one with pride for Sgt. Bergdahl.

Bobi B. B.

For SSG Robert J. Acalotto

I received my MIA bracelet a month ago. Very happy. I have SSG Robert J. Acalotto. MIA in Laos in 1971. He is the only Westmoreland County, Pa Viet Nam veteran still Missing In Action.

Tim S.

For Sgt. Rodney Griffin

I, too, wore a POW bracelet in middle school during the 70's for Sgt. Rodney Griffin. My bracelet broke many years ago, but I have always searched for his name praying he was home and safe. I would be proud to wear one for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.

Vanessa N.

For Larry J. Stephens

I purchased a POW Bracelet for Lt. Larry J. Stephens, Vietnam, in the late 80's and I wore it faithfully for many years. I put it back on for a few months every year and I think of him often. I never knew him, but I am hoping he returns. I "visit" him at The Wall when I am in DC and I have I a rubbing of his name encased in a frame with my Uncle's field map. I have an awesome shirt with his name on it and I actually met his Aunt many years ago in a fluke way as she was selling the shirts in front of The Wall. You need to Google him....his story is fascinating to say the least. 

I also wear two other Memorial Bracelets.... One in memory of all 52,0000+ who never returned and one in memory of a friends' father who died in The Towers on 9/11. I think wearing these bracelets keeps these people alive in the hearts and minds of the people I come across who ask me about them. I wear mine with pride!