Proud Military Mom Shares Thoughts on Peace Cord

Patty Mattes, a proud military mom and supporter of Peace Cord, had these thoughtful words to share:

“I am so glad I came across this website.  My son is currently serving his second deployment in Afghanistan so I think these peace cords are a perfect reminder of our men and women who are serving their country and helping the Afghans at the same time.”

Thanks for sharing, Patty! We appreciate your support of Peace Cord and your son’s service to our country.

What People Are Saying About Peace Cord (Pt. 5)

FACEBOOK:

“Great way to support what our soldiers make possible overseas!” – Sarah-Jane in Paris, KY

“This is wonderful. I do want to say, I have worn mine everyday for the past year, never once taken off… Not as a trend, but showing my pride in the sacrifices that are made for us each and everyday.” – Jodi in Unknown

“I’ve been wearing my Arzu/ Hope Peace Cord. I gave my dad an Army dress cord because he was in the Army, but I have a feeling my mom will end up wearing it instead. She saw it when he opened it at Christmas and instantly liked it.” – Gail in Maryland

WE ASKED: What Peace cord style(s) do you wear the most and why?

“Green Marine Dress bracelet. It’s classy and a great conversation starter!” – Sara Jean

“I wear the Desert Khaki! It’s actually one of my husband’s favorite colors! It’s a reminder…a prayer…that my Afghan husband will get to see his family again one day and I will too!” – Laura

“Black with silver Air Force! My fav clothing color, plus it represents my father-in-law who is a retired Air Force and a special guy.” – Roxann

TWITTER:

“Proud to wear the @PeaceCord. #GivePeaceaChance” – Karmin, band

“Can’t wait to wear my @PeaceCord to welcome home my brother from deployment in Afghanistan in March.” – Amanda in Unknown

“So awesome that Gavin [DeGraw] ‘gets it!’ When celebs promote Peace in this way, it has a deeper impact for those it serves!” – Teri on the East Coast

“We’re happy to share the love with such a great charitable cause! We’re wearing our new bracelets very proudly!” – Her Late Night Cravings blog

“They are super chic and fashion forward and support a great cause – awesome combination!” – Dorothy Cascerceri, Senior Editor of In Touch Weekly

“University of Wisconsin-Madison Women in Business love @PeaceCord bracelets! Such a great cause to support women across the globe!” – UWWIB

Thanks so much to everyone who shared their thoughts! We appreciate your ongoing enthusiasm and support for Peace Cord!

What People Are Saying About Peace Cord (Pt. 4)

On Twitter:

“Wearing my Peace Cord bracelet in support of families in Afghanistan and our troops who are helping them rebuild the country. Spread peace”
– Howie D. of the Backstreet Boys

“@PeaceCord definitely! These are a hit!! AND for an amazing cause!! #peacecords” – Avenue Swank

“Sporting my new @peacecord that I got a @mashable #socialgood summit. Great story behind these.” – Eddie Badrina in Dallas, TX

On Facebook: 

“Proud Army mom of two soldiers, one of whom is leaving on 2nd deployment the first of the year. I will wear my peace cords till they all come home!!!” – Stephanie in Phoenix, NY

“What a wonderful idea. Thank you all for what you do for women.” – Pam, city unknown

“Just ordered 4 of them. 3 will go to a very special friend of mine and her 2 girls that her husband and their daddy is currently deployed, and 1 for myself to wear to show support to not only him, but to the message of empowering women.” – Tabatha, city unknown

Thank you to everyone who has shown and vocalized their support of Peace Cord and our mission!

Winner of a Pair of Peace Cords!

Our good friends at Rhythm Interactive launched a contest at the beginning of August: share why you think Peace Cord makes a great holiday gift or stuffing stocker for the chance to win a pair of bracelets. On August 24th, the winner was announced!

Michelle Topi is a Peace Cord fan, as well as a mother of sons serving in the U.S. Marines. Michelle submitted the following story for her winning entry:

“I have three sons, two of whom are United States Marines, and one just got home from serving in Afghanistan. His mission in Marjah was counter insurgency: to help the local village leaders establish their own strong government. When I discovered ARZU STUDIO HOPE, I was thrilled to see an organization set up to empower the women of Afghanistan to support their families and their community, and felt your company’s purpose resonated with my own life’s purpose. I wear my own Peace Cord daily not only to honor my sons and all of our troops, but also to remind myself to be mindful of living my life in a way that supports peace-building activities – locally and globally.”

Many thanks to Rhythm Interactive for initiating this giveaway, Michelle for her participation and for sharing her amazing story, and a special thank you to her sons for their service!

Mark Harmon Supports Peace Cord in this PSA!

Mark Harmon and his television character Special Agent Gibbs support Peace Cord™ by wearing one on the hit CBS show NCIS. Here, Mark shares why wearing peace proudly is an inspirational way to make a positive impact in the lives of women and families in Afghanistan. Many thanks to Mark Harmon for his support of Peace Cord™! Visit www.peacecord.org for more information.

Winners of the ARZU/Peace Cord 2011 Mother’s Day Contest!

Check out the photos and submissions from our Mother’s Day Contest winners! The winners will each receive two Peace Cord bracelets as a prize. Congrats to everyone!

GARY ALFORD, "New Mom"

Gary says: “I have already purchased 3 of them a couple of months ago. I would like to win 2 of them to give out to my team time literature kids who have worked really hard on reading with no complaints, learned the vowel sound combinations, did all their work required and showed improvement on reading tests every week on number of words read per minute. This would force them to work harder, I feel. It did last time.”

JACQUELINE BOYER, "Navy Girl - The Walking Advertisement"

Jacqueline says: “I love my peace cord! It reminds me to pray everyday for peace in the world and for the troops. I bought the peace cord to support the efforts of the Afghan women and their empowerment and for the support of the troops. I bought the navy peace cord to honor the memory of my father-in-law who served in the navy during World War II. I believe in this program and think it’s a great idea. I hope your effort spread across the globe.”

DEDEE SIVE, “Spirit Sisters!”

Dedee says: “Mother’s Day – A day for ALL women to rejoice and share the sheer joy of being a mom or the desire to be one. We women raise most all the children, so we must instill in future generations that we really are a ‘global society’ made up with the fabric of diversity. Let the Peace Cord on your wrist be a reminder of our sisters who are in a struggle to bring peace and equality to their lives and their families – they have tremendous resolve and spirit. They are a beacon of light spreading hope to many, their voices want to be heard! Support our ‘spirit sisters’ by proudly wearing your Peace Cord and giving Peace Cords to all those you love on Mothers Day.”

KRISTIN BUSH, “Childhood Bonds, Motherly Peace”

Kristin says: “My mother holds a very special place in my life. She really is my best friend and is the one who has always been an important role model in my life and now, an important figure in my daughter’s life. My mother brings me peace and the peace cord symbolizes the bond, the tie we share forever.”

DIANE ROCHEFORT, “A Woman is Always a Mother”

Diane says: “I purchased a Peace Cord Bracelet for a gift for a Foster Mother who has done more for a child than many birth mothers! It is truly amazing how a “special mother” can add such love and value to the life of a young man whose birth mother wasn’t able to carry the load. A Woman is always a mother, even if she hasn’t had any of her own children, when she reaches out to someone in need and gives them her love and support.”

What People Are Saying About Peace Cord (Pt. 3)

Here are some more quotes from supporters of Peace Cord!

“I [purchased Peace Cord] as a gift for a young lady who is graduating from college and will be commissioned as a Navy Officer this coming May.  My daughter graduates from the same program next year and will be a Navy Nurse…and I am retired from the US Navy after serving 25 years. Women today in our country have so many freedoms and having traveled to some not so nice places during my 25 year career I know that is not the case in many nations in Africa/ Middle East/Asia.  I bought the Peace Cord [bracelets] for the these young Naval officers to remind them that what they do is not just important to the citizens of the United States, but hopefully their service will stand for a greater gift…freedom for so many, especially women, who are still oppressed in so many nations. God bless you for what you do to facilitate a means for the women of Afghanistan to endeavor to gain that independence and freedom that they so richly deserve!” – Pam Jacobsen, US Navy Retired

“I was given one of the Navy Peace Cord bracelets from my sister & I LOVE IT!!!  My son bought one in honor of his cousin who just entered the army & was just sent to Afghanistan.” – Karen in VA

“If you’re on my Christmas list this year… guess what you’re getting… hint hint – these are awesome accessories with a special story to go with them…. the PERFECT gift!” – Heather in Riner, VA

“Peace Cords are a hot item at the George W. Bush Presidential Center Conference on Afghan Women!” – Jenifer in Austin, TX
(The conference was held at Southern Methodist University in Dallas last week.)

Once again, we are so grateful for the positive response. Thanks to everyone who shared their comments! WEAR PEACE PROUDLY!

Peace Cord Fan Loves to Accessorize!

Supporter Lisa Smyth sent us this picture of how she wears her Marine Dress bracelet, saying, “I love my Peace Cord!” Thanks, Lisa!

Family of an Army Father Wears Peace Cord

Heather, a Peace Cord supporter, was nice enough to share with us a picture of her daughter, Kaitlyn, proudly wearing her bracelets! Heather says:

Her daddy is active duty Army 1SG – she’s showing him some ♥ with them while supporting a good cause. It’s a great opportunity to teach my girls about life. When they saw mine, they had to have one too…..

What a beautiful story! We are so happy to see this family enjoying their bracelets and Wearing Peace Proudly. Thanks for sharing, Heather!

What People Are Saying About Peace Cord (Pt. 2)

We have been beyond thrilled by the positive response we’ve gotten since our Today Show appearance! Want to know what people are saying about Peace Cord™ bracelets? Below are some comments from our Facebook and Twitter pages!

“In honor of International Women’s Day, wearing my @peacecord bracelet, woven by Afghan women.” – Anne, New York, NY

“Thank YOU for what you’re doing… my father {retired} wore one I made for him when he was deployed…” – Theo, unknown city

“What an amazing thing to share with people around the world…Something beautiful for someone beautiful. I am ordering as I write for family and friends so they can look down and remember heroes from all over the world.” – Deidre, unknown city

“My husband is a Vietnam Era Air Force veteran so we both got the new Air Force bracelets. They are VERY nice!” – Deb in Otsego, MI

“Yep… The NBC today show is the reason I found your FB page. I’m sharing it with my military Mom friends! Proud Air Force Mom here.” – Debra, unknown city

“I’m sharing too…all my Facebook friends. I’m going to let my 14-year-old daughter pick hers out after school today. Like I said to my friend, what a tribute to be wearing a piece of our soldiers around our wrists.” – Stacey in Holly, MI

“I love this site and the Peace Cord. I come from a long line of military servicemen in my family. And the rewards it gives to those women who make them is the best idea behind this.” – Serena Nelson, born on MacDill Air Force Base in FL

Once again, many thanks to all of our supporters! We are excited to continue to share our mission with you.