Posted on: Friday, August 23, 2002

Bracelets pay tribute to victims of Sept. 11

By Charmere Gatson
USA Today

www.praycelets.com

As the war against terrorism enters its second year, a number of entrepreneurs and activists have revived an idea from the Vietnam era: The POW/MIA bracelet.

"Getting a POW/MIA bracelet then made us feel like we were doing something for our country," says Becky Johns, one of six Virginia women who founded Moms With a Mission, which is selling "The Band of Honor" bracelets.

Back in the 1970s, the simple copper or nickel-plated bands, each inscribed with the name, rank and loss date of a missing soldier or prisoner of war, were worn to call attention to the plight of prisoners of war in Southeast Asia. It's estimated that nearly 5 million were sold, for $2.50 to $3 each.

Three decades later, a number of groups have taken up the idea. They include:

• The Mercy Band, each printed with the name and location of a Sept. 11 victim, $20 ($25 for a specific person), www.mercyband.org.

• Hearts of Steel, which say, "We Remember 9-11-01/United We Stand," with "USA" on one side and "Let's Roll" on the other, $10, www.heartsofsteel.com.

• The Band of Honor, with the saying, "Honoring Heroism and Bravery 9-11-01" and one of eight symbols, $7, www.momswithamission.org.

• PRAYcelet, $19.95, which has the name of a U.S. military person for the wearer to include in prayers, www.PRAYcelets.com.

• 9.11 Bracelet, with the name, rank and unit of a New York City firefighter Sept. 11 victim, $19.95, www.firefighter.com.

The styles and imprint on the bracelets differ, but most creators have similar purposes: To honor the victims and support the families.

Many pledge to donate some or all proceeds to Sept. 11 charities or scholarship funds.