In Remembrance,

In 2007, I received an email from Hero Bracelets asking those that had purchased the bracelets to write about why they wore them (bracelets). I wrote the following response while serving as Military Transition Team member in 2007-2008. I had worn the bracelet since I received it in 2005, but had never really thought about the events behind the name.

I am writing in response to the email that I received about those that have ordered the bracelets through your company. I would like to share my answer to that question. You also have my permission to reprint, use, or share it with any organization, person, or affiliation that is interested. I appreciate your efforts to recognize those individuals killed in the line of duty and hope that this letter finds your company and yourself well.

Why do I wear a bracelet, a simple circle with a name I have never met, a town I have never been to, and a date to which I can only tell you a soldier died on a battlefield? I received your hero bracelet after I returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF II) in March of 2005. I never really thought about why I wore it but I can tell you that I still wear the same bracelet that I received from your organization. I wear it because I never knew PVT Matthew D. Bush, but I sweat, bleed, and think about home like PVT Matthew D. Bush. I miss the taste of freedom while I eat the same meals as him. I do not know what he would think of this war, nearly four years later. Would he be proud to say that he was there at the beginning and tried his best to make this place better? Or would he quietly walk down your street and never mention those months he spent here. I wear it because in wearing it I honor his commitment, courage, and sacrifice in a place that sometimes does not remember it. I wear it because if the same fate should happen to me, I would hope someone would remember my name. I wear it because as Winston Churchill said “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” 
His life for our freedom, rest in peace Matthew D. Bush.

And now for the rest of the story…I received an email from PVT Bush’s father shortly after sending my response to the website. We corresponded about the life of his son and his unfortunate death. Matthew followed the tradition of his father who served in Vietnam and served with the 101st ABN DIV (AASLT). Mr. Bush’s love and devotion for his son’s sacrifice could be felt throughout the conversations. I still wear the bracelet, but have a much deeper connection to the name and story behind it. His sister also joined the 101st ABN DIV, but we never had the chance to meet before I departed for home. I have left Iraq but its effect will never leave any of us that have been there.

The web site has some powerful stories, one which is heartbreaking. There is one particular story that I still remember called "The Boots". It is the heartache that I heard in Mr. Bush’s voice and letters. Attached is the website to the story, powerful stuff.

http://herobracelets.org/?p=253

Take care Matthew, you are not forgotten. I remember.

v/r,

MAJ JACKIE K. KAINA
STUDENT, COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLLEGE
U.S. ARMY COMBINED ARMS CENTER, FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS
See Command Policy #19-08, Combined Arms Center (CAC) Interactive Internet Activities for additional guidance.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.