The idea for a memorial tattoo has been eating at me since 2003…My 2 best friends died while defending our great Nation while on deployment overseas. They will remain nameless, hence the dots on the tags (7 dots for the 7 seas in traditional Marine Corps fashion). This tattoo is my memorial to them and I do not feel they should be “exploited” even in the least bit on my arm. I know and the people who care about them the most know. The chain is coming directly out of the main vein in my arm, signifying that the Corps runs deep in my blood and is a part of my entire life and part of who I am today. The 3rd dog tag is for my Uncle Troy, my best friend. When I signed up for the Marines, we has so proud of me, he was the only living relative I had closest to me that has served a full career in the military. He served 3 tours in Vietnam as an Army infantryman. He was exposed to high concentrations of Agent Orange. He developed cancer which spread to his brain and led to his decline and, ultimately, his death. Upon joining (in late 2002) we had always talked about sharing our war stories once I returned. Sadly that day never came. My mom was there with him almost every day until the end and told me that in the last few months of his life, the only 2 people he remembered or recognize were his daughter (his only child) and me. He passed away on my birthday, November 29, 2003 while I was on deployment. My parents, with the best intentions, did not tell me the date of his death until after I returned. The artist, Jason Smalley of Forever Yours Tattoo Gallery, was chosen by me to do this tattoo for special reason and I couldn’t be happier or more honored with the end result. I love all three of them very dearly and not a day goes by that I don’t think of them!
Memorial Tattoo for my Uncle and 2 best friends :)
