People lose things all the time: keys, cell phones, cars in parking lots, checks… Some things are more or less valuable than others. I lose things on a regular basis. Often things resurface.
A unique item quite literally resurfaced a couple months ago in a strange place, far away from Cape Cod. It does not belong to me, but it has a name on it that I hold close to my heart: CPL Nicholas G. Xiarhos. It’s a KIA Memory Bracelet. I want to help reunite it with its owner.
Many people are familiar with Nicholas. He was a Dennis-Yarmouth High School graduate who joined the United States Marines as soon as he could after the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
Sadly, Nicholas gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country on July 23, 2009.
Why is a bracelet so important?
If you are not familiar with these bracelets, they are made of aluminum, stainless steel, or leather and engraved with the name of a person who died or an event. These bracelets are worn as a way to show support, to remember a victim or hero of terrorism or war, to make people aware of a person that has died and the reason for the death, to commemorate an event such as the September 11 attacks on the United States, or to support and remember American service people who were POWs or MIA.
What makes this particular memory bracelet so interesting?
Earlier this spring, a young woman from Connecticut was vacationing with her family near Flamingo, Costa Rico. While snorkeling, something caught her eye. It was Nicholas’ bracelet. Rolling around in the sand and water, out in the ocean, 4,300 miles from Cape Cod, there it was. How long had it been there? Who did it belong to?
The young woman brought it home and with a little research contacted the Nicholas G Xiarhos Memorial Foundation and sent along a picture.
We are all eager to reunite it with its owner. Can you help?
It seemed like serendipitous timing that the image and story about the bracelet would come to light this week of all weeks.
We are heading into the weekend of Big Nick’s Ride for the Cape Cod Fallen. A memorial weekend that ends with the largest motorcycle ride in our area in the name of the 16 fallen service members who have lost their lives since the war on terror began.
Although the weather for Sunday looks less than ideal, the events are rain or shine. Should conditions become too dangerous for motorcycles; events will be adapted at Dennis-Yarmouth High School on Sunday morning.
You can watch the Big Nick’s Ride facebook page and event page for any updates.
So what do you think? Can we find whoever lost this bracelet?
I know people lose things all the time. Most of the times we can get them back.
For the families and friends of the 16 Fallen from Cape Cod, there are things they will never get back, so a small memento like a bracelet can mean a great deal.
United States Army Staff Sergeant Alicia A. Birchett of Mashpee
United States Army Private First Class Paul E. Conlon of Mashpee
United States Navy Captain Gerald F. DeConto of Sandwich
United States Army Sergeant Alexander H. Fuller of Barnstable
United States Army Sergeant Matthew R. Gallagher of Falmouth
United States Navy SEAL Kevin A. Houston of Barnstable
United States Marine Captain Eric A. Jones of Mashpee
United States Marine Corps Private First Class William B. Kiernan of Falmouth
United States Marine Private First Class Daniel A.C. McGuire of Mashpee
United States Army Sergeant Matthew A. Pucino of Bourne
United States Army Staff Sergeant Stephen A. Sprague of Yarmouth
United States Army Private First Class Clinton E. Springer II of Bourne
United States Army Sergeant Zachary D. Tellier of Falmouth
United States Army Sergeant Mark R. Vecchione of Eastham
United States Navy Commander Francis T Williams of Sandwich
United States Marine Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos of Yarmouth
If you know who this bracelet belongs to, please contact me! [email protected]