History of Dougie’s Karma Beads
In July 2009, my son Matthew called me from Afghanistan and left me a message, which you can listen to on our home page regarding his beads.
The Gift of Beads
Matthew was deployed to Afghanistan for his first tour over there on the 1st of January 2009. I found a karma bead bracelet (with a peace sign attached) at a store in late January and thought I would send it to my son for good luck. The beads signify protection and balance. I had no idea that he would really wear the bracelet, but to my surprise when he received the bracelet he put it on his wrist and never took it off. Matthew feels very strongly that the beads are keeping him safe in Afghanistan.
A Critical Moment
In July 2009, my son was involved in a firefight, and his bracelet was broken. Matthew was so upset. He called me and told me that I just had to find those beads and send him another one; he said, “My life depends on it.” A few days after the firefight, Matthew and his squad went back to the site where the fight broke out and dug in the sand to find some of the beads from his bracelet, and they found a few and pinned them on Matthew’s jacket. The guys in his squad were so upset; they felt that they were safe too if they were near “Dougie” (this is his nickname) and those beads.
Squad Request
Matthew requested that I send enough for his whole squad so they could each have their own bracelets. My search began, and I could not find them anywhere. My daughter and I searched all the stores and the internet high and low and could not locate those same exact beads. We finally found some, but they were all one color, and they did not have a peace sign. Matthew was adamant that they needed to be the black and brown beads, and they must have the peace sign attached. After an exhausting search, we found the right color beads, but without the peace sign, so we purchased the peace signs and other supplies needed, and we started making the bracelets. We thought if Matthew and his squad really wanted the bracelets, maybe more of the troops would want them as well. We started this non-profit organization so we could continue to make our bracelets and send them to all of our troops. This is our way of honoring our troops.
God Bless America and God Bless all of our Military men and women which give up so much to fight for others freedom.
Cheryl and Samantha
Dougie’s Karma Beads
July 18, 2016 - UPDATE
Matthew wants to include Police Officers, so they can get our bracelets as well, to show our support of what they do every day to serve and protect the American people.