A lost HeroBracelet

I found this on the www.strykernews.com website today.

Mike Gilbert of The News Tribune is allowing us to re-print this entry from his site in the hope that the rightful owner of this bracelet can be located. Mike's email is mike.gilbert@thenewstribune.com.

Allie Krizmanich of Raleigh, N.C., is hoping the readers might be able to help.

She was in Chicago this week for work and during her off time, went to the beach on the shores of Lake Michigan. There, sticking out of the sand, was one of those memorial bracelets, the kind people wear to remember a fallen soldier or one who is MIA.

"I nearly stepped on it," Krizmanich said.

It was inscribed with the name of Cpl. Billy Farris, a 20-year-old scout with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment who was killed Dec. 3, 2006, at Taji. He was part of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division Strykers from Fort Lewis.

Farris was from Bapchule, Ariz., where he grew up in the Gila River Indian Community. He also attended school in Salem, Ore., and left an infant son. There's a tribute to him here.

Krizmanich figures whoever lost the bracelet in the sand probably wants it back. Her brother, Gregory, served a tour in Iraq with an Army Reserve unit and she is grateful that he came home safe and sound.

That his name isn't on one of those bracelets.

If this is your lost bracelet please send me a note and I will put you in touch with Allie. Feel free to repost this item if you think it might he