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Saturday, August 17, 2013

Ride for the Fallen....Spc. Justin Rollins

About Justin:

written by Brittney
The military memorial bracelet worn by many: soldiers, wives, girlfriends, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, all hold a meaning unique to those who wear it. Those wearing the bracelet have been affected, known and loved someone who sacrificed it all: a human being worth the marking. The military memorial bracelet I wear tells a story.

When I wake up it is there to remind me of the facts I try so hard to forget throughout the night. A beam of light will reflect off of its metal surface at unexpected times of the day and awaken my senses to the hard truth it bears.

The first line reads: Spc Justin A. Rollins. Anyone who knew Justin would remember his smile; the laugh that bellowed up from somewhere deep, deeper than most laughs come from; and eyes that could persuade. His passion for life and dare devil attitude was contagious, in the moment and compelling. The second line: 82nd ABN DIV 2/505 C. Co. represents a group of elite men.  A group Justin thought so much of and trained so hard to become. A group destined to serve overseas and a group Justin was unwilling to abandon. Despite Justin’s job opportunity at recruiting, an amazing exempt during a time of war, his commitment to the men of the 82nd Airborne Division proved too strong. That loyalty and bravery is what I reflect upon when I read the second line of the memorial bracelet. I think of Justin’s smiling face and the smiling faces of boys and men, who too, were proud to wear the uniform. The third line: March 5, 2007 KIA Samarra, Iraq. The blunt reality and the memory of a day that took a man named Justin Rollins; a place, a time, and a person that deserves memory and tribute. 

The memorial ride, like the memorial bracelet is how Justin lives on. To some, Justin
Rollins is just a name but through the ride his person rides on.

Ride for the Fallen ~ August, 24, 2013...to learn more visit http://www.rollinsride.com/Justin.html


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

It was the summer of 2010 when my brother deployed. Just how I thought the war would eventually end, my denial assumed he would never be deployed. The amount of emotions hit you like a ton of bricks. You don’t know what to expect, you don’t know how to feel, or if it’s right feeling sad. It’s a crazy mix of emotions.

The Deployment Roller Coaster.

The one thing I quickly realized is how siblings often stand in the background. Truthfully, there are no resources out there for us. Whether it deals with having a soldier in the military or having one deployed. There are many resources for children, spouses and parents but none for siblings. I think we’re just as deserving to receive support and guidance. Siblings share a special bond that no one can replace.

My hope is that You are the Champion will be that resource for the many siblings of our military men and women — deployed, in basic training, or on their U.S. Base performing their duties. The soldiers are the true champions. But so are the family members.

You are the Champion