A large number of Solid Ground’s Seattle Personal Transit (SPT) program drivers and passengers are U.S. veterans. The suggestion for this post was submitted by SPT ACCESS van driver Dick Clements, who is also a U.S. Army veteran.
U.S. Army Specialist Mikayla Bragg
U.S. Army Specialist Mikayla Bragg of Longview, WA was killed in action on December 21, 2011 in Knowst Province in southern Afghanistan. A decorated veteran, her honors included the Good Conduct Medal, the Unit Citation and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. According to a January 7, 2012 article by John Markon in The Daily News Online, “She is the first Longview soldier, sailor or airman to die in a combat zone since the late days of the Vietnam War.” Mikayla was 21 years old.
A group of veterans and friends are working to raise money to erect a memorial statue in honor of Mikayla to be placed at the Mark Morris High School in Longview, from where she graduated.
If you would like to donate to the creation of this statue, please send a check, payable to the Mikayla Bragg Memorial Fund, to:
Fibre Credit Union
Mikayla Bragg Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 1234
Longview, WA 98632
SPT driver and U.S. Army vet Dick Clements and other Mikayla Bragg supporters send heartfelt thanks to the Solid Ground community for any contributions that are made toward this memorial statue.
Kristopher North says
My Name is Kristopher North. I am the Veteran that is spearheading the Memorial for Spc. Mikayla A. Bragg. I did not personally know Mikayla but, I attended the service for her and overheard her Mother say that her biggest fear is that Nobody will remember who Mikayla was in 6 to 8 months. At that moment I knew I had to do something to Memorialize her for Generations to come. The Statue is actually Not of Mikayla. It is called the Battlefield Soldiers Cross. Which is a pair of Boots with a Rifle standing on its end Barrel Down and the Helmet resting on the Butt end of the Rifle. At times, there is also a set of Dog Tags hanging from it. This will be cast in Bronze and will also have a Bronze Plaque with Kayla’s picture and Service info attached to the front. The Statue will be placed in an outdoor courtyard at the High School where Mikayla Graduated in 2008. The outdoor courtyard is right next to the History Department of the school. Generations of Students will be able to see this Memorial on a daily basis and Know that not only was this one of our own but, that Freedom isn’t Free. We are now within about $800 of reaching our goal of $5000 to purchase the Statue. Any Money that is collected above the purchase amount will be sent to the Wounded Warriors Project in Mikayla’s Honor. If Any of you can Help, Please Send Any Donations to the address above for Fibre Federal Credit Union and make any checks or money orders out to The Mikayla Bragg Memorial Fund. Thank You So Very Much for Helping Me Make this a Reality. This Memorial is Not Only About Mikayla. This is About Every American Soldier That has Put Their Lives On The Line For Freedom. If you Have Any Questions, Please feel free to contact me at kristopherwnorth@gmail.com or 360-747-2992. Again. Thank You…
Liz Reed Hawk says
Kristopher, thank you for the clarification and details about the statue and Mikayla.
BEAU BLUESMAN RICHARDS BHRCM NP says
ON BEHALF OF BLACKHORSE REGIMENT CAVALRY MOTORCYCLES AND ALL 11th U.S. ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT WE SALUTE OUR BROTHER KRISTOPHER NORTH FOR SUCH A SELFLESS VENTURE TO HONOR SPC. MIKELA A. BRAGG AND OUR FALLEN TROOPS. GOOD LUCK AND I’M SURE YOU’LL REACH YOUR GOAL JUST IN TIME TO BUILD THE STATUE.
ALLONS