Become A “Battle Saint” (bracelets showing up on patriotic wrists everywhere)

CBS Local ^ | 5/12/11

[Libloather]

Become A “Battle Saint”
May 12, 2011 5:03 PM

**SNIP**

The idea is the brainchild of Cynthia Lemay who wanted to honor the men and women who serve in the U.S. military. The bracelet sells for $5 and is made of wood with pictures of saints on it.

“Wherever I go, people ask me about the bracelet, the story behind it, how we came up with the idea. And people who wear them just feel like it gives them a sense of protection,” Lemay told WWJ’s Marie Osborne.

Lemay said she got the idea for the bracelet while chatting with young family members who told her stories of their experiences serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Lemay said, following the death of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden, more people are interested in ordering the bracelet. They’re worn by the people who support our troops, and the brave men and women themselves.

“Sometimes we get pictures from soldiers. They send us pictures of their arm with the bracelet on, they send us a story about they’ve been in a firefight or they’ve been in an attack and they’re safe, and they just want to thank us,” she said.

For more information or to buy one, visit battlesaint.com.

[Libloather]

[La Lydia]

The “the brainchild of Cynthia Lemay”?? These bracelets have been for sale in Mexico and the rest of Latin America for a couple of decades. I think they even sell them at Fatima in Portugal. They cost about 25-50 cents. I agree entirely with the sentiment of honoring our soldiers, but I think it is odd that this is reported like she invented something new.

[ASA Vet]

The Philippines has had them for years.

[My hearts in London - Everett]

We also stock them in our Catholic section at Family Christian Bookstore and have for the 5 years I’ve been with the company.

[Not gonna take it anymore]

I stock them in my store as well.

[Conservative Vermont Vet]

The “the brainchild of Cynthia Lemay”?? These bracelets have been for sale in Mexico and the rest of Latin America for a couple of decades. I think they even sell them at Fatima in Portugal. They cost about 25-50 cents. I agree entirely with the sentiment of honoring our soldiers, but I think it is odd that this is reported like she invented something new.

Really? Then how come this ol' timer, Nam Vet, has never heard of them, and I consider myself as someone who keeps abreast of newsworthy items in the US as well as the World?

Perhaps they are popular in Mehico, Portugal or other places, but I don't remember ever having heard of them being available in the States?

Likewise, as workers get paid a pittance in most turd-world countries, small wonder they only cost 25-50 cents.

Moreover it is not the costs that matters (and 5 bucks is hardly a major investment) it is the thought that counts and if this woman has decided to make these available (and I can not imagine she will get rich by doing so) then let's not rain on her parade, but rather praise her for her good works.

BTW, just tried to order one and can not get thru.

[mad_as_he$$]

I remember some kid trying to sell me something very similar in Po City a very long time ago.

[La Lydia]

There are many available on eBay if you really want one. Mexican trinkets don’t often turn up as news stories in the United States. They are sold here in every town and city that has an Hispanic population. And also stores that sell Mexican stuff, such as Tesoros in Austin, Texas and all over Riverdale, Maryland. I’m not raining on her parade, I just thought it odd that the news report made it sound like she invented the things. I note you live in the very gringo far Northeast. Very provincial up there. And I can’t think what being a Viet Nam vet has to do with knowing about Mexican trinkets.