Hero Stories for June 2007

This is my hero.  Sgt. Thomas E. Vandling Jr. Died 1/1/07. I work in a Dermatologist's office when one day, one of our patient's came in and I noticed his bracelet.  When I asked about it he said he had been in Washington D.C. at a fair where they were selling them.  He also told me that the proceeds went to a building fund for physical therapy when the wounded soldiers came home.  I liked that idea and I told him how I used to wear a bracelet for a POW in the 70's-80's until my soldier came ...

I PROUDLY wear the name of 2nd Lt. Ryan Leduc.  He was killed on 9/24/04 and was a Marine from Pana, IL. I often wonder who he was, what he looked like, did he have family, etc.  I wonder what he thought when he was over there fighting in Iraq for us, so we could maintain our freedom.  He did the most unselfish of tasks--fight for people he didnt even know--for his Country! I don't take his bracelet off--ever. I feel somehow connected to him by wearing it. I often pray for him and for his fam...

Spc. Clarence Adams III has been a part of my daily life for over two years.  He has been present since the day that a black bracelet with his name arrived in my mail box.  Now each morning I wake to slip the twisted metal cuff onto my wrist.  I don't go anywhere without him; I mean to keep him with me for a while. It was a long while before I felt the right to find out anything personal about Spc. Adams.  I wondered if in some way that wasn't an intrusion into a man's personal life and a fam...

My wife and I have spent the past week grappling with where to start when talking about SFC Schuyler Bontecou Haynes. Schuyler was a decendant of one of the first generals in the US Continental Army, Philip Schuyler and has been laid to rest in the same cemetary in Albany, NY. Schuyler always wanted to be a soldier from the time he was little, playing with his toy soldiers to yelling at his sister during a snowball fight to hold the fort and scolding her for leaving the team even though anoth...

The HeroBracelets my husband, daughter, and I wear are for our sons, both in the US Marine Corp.  Kade, our youngest, has been interested in joining the military for years, but until 9/11, was perfectly willing to wait until college was over.  He was a rough and tough but respectful, athletic, smart kid who - as a junior that September was looking a colleges (with football or lacrosse of course).  Kade was totally infuriated by the bombing and in fact, had to spend several days doing class wo...

My husband and I wear our Hero Bracelets in honor of two of his fallen comrades.  SFC Bryant Herlem and SGT Jose Gomez who were killed in Iraq on April 18, 2006.  We know that they will forever be in our hearts but we wanted a visible reminder of their sacrifice.  Shortly after they were killed I wanted to do something for their fellow soldiers still serving so we purchased these bracelets to give to their team as a simple reminder.  Many still wear them daily.  It's a small tribute with lots...

HALF A WORLD AWAY You work hard Every night and day, To keep us safe Half a World Away. Always on our minds For each of you we pray, For God to Bless you Half a World Away You fight for our Freedoms While we work or play, And send our love from Half a World Away. In wet muddy trenches Your head you may lay, While we sleep in a warm bed Half a World Away. We send our thanks And love every day, "˜til you're home again From Half a World Away Written for: 1-32 Infantry 3rd Brigade 10th Mountain D...

Mission Accomplished By Katherine L. Szerdy "Kath, the Commanding Officer of the 3/25 called me this morning.  He's looking for someone to contact a young Marine interested in the Naval Academy.  This one's a unique situation, however."  My job as a Blue and Gold Officer, a regional admissions liaison, for the United States Naval Academy, includes assisting candidates as they work through the candidacy and nomination process.  Major Chris Gideons, the Marine Corps Commanding Officer of our r...

In February of 2005, I saw a television interview with one of the founders of Adopt A Platoon.  I had been looking for a way to support our troops and became a volunteer/supporter by filling out an application on line at www.adoptaplatoon.org.  Once I received my "adopted" soldier's information, I promised to send a card or letter once a week and a care package once a month. Before long I received the name of my first adopted soldier.  At that time, Jason was a twenty-year-old Marine station...

We've heard from Carolyn Shroder on several occasion. She's got a blog and a lot of pictures of her family and friends all wearing their HeroBracelets with LT. Shroder's name. You can see her blog at http://brandonandcarolynschroder.blogspot.com/ ------- Jessica Pinkerton first introduced me to HeroBracelets.org. She was wearing this beautiful copper bracelet with her husbands name on it. When I met Jessica her husband had just left for his 2nd deployment. She shared with me that she bought ...