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Operation Holiday Tags

Video/Info | Story | FAQs

It's getting to that time of the year again, but for AJ here at Saving Grace, it's one of the roughest times of year as it can be for everyone that is far from home or missing someone who is far away for this holiday season… With this project, there is a very personal story that inspired it's creation...

If you would like to add a service member’s name to this we would be more than happy to have it to hang on our tree/wall. We just need a few things from you by filling out the appropriate information below & attach a picture of the service member, preferably in uniform.

For current service members –

First & last name of the service member:
Branch & Rank Title:
Enlistment month & date:
A Picture of the service member:

For Prior Service Members –

First & last name of the service member:
Branch & Rank Title:
Enlistment Month & Date:
Separation Month & Date:

For Service Members Killed in Action –

First & last name of the service member:
Branch & Last Rank Title Held:
Enlistment Month & Date:
Month & Year Lost:
Location where killed (optional):

Please send all information to saving.grace.mis@gmail.com with the subject line “Operation Holiday Tags 2009”

Thank you very much for helping us!

------- The Whole Story -------

In 2005, AJ lost a ‘younger brother’ Seth, he was the son of another family that moved with her family from their home in Colorado after 9/11 and the move made the children all bond closely. Seth was 17, and one of the strongest willed people she had met. His ambition was to join the Marine Corps, but he had to go into the Guard until he was of age. His calling was to serve our nation and protect its freedoms. He was also the first person who allowed AJ, then 19, to not be scared of her new home. He had long talks with her and helped fuel her passion to support our troops.

One conversation they had in particular was about AJ’s rising knowledge into website designing, and he suggested that she should start a site that helps people understand more about the military, and to maybe put some stuff up all in one place that someone could find if they wanted to learn. This idea sparked the creation of Saving Grace.

Seth was in a friend’s car near AJ’s home when it was hit by another driver; the car was hit pretty hard near where Seth had been sitting, and he was left in a coma for about 5 days until he died on October 27th, 2005. He left behind a younger brother and sister.

One of the last things AJ remembered about Seth was his courage and selflessness. One of the last conversations they had was about finding a way to remember the people who serve(d) and how it could be incorporated into the site and making it personal. Last year AJ found the perfect way, and her eldest son loved helping her with her project. This year we hope to continue & make it grow.

AJ & her family decided to start “Operation Holiday Tags” & we open it for new names every year. Rather than her family buying ornaments, they create ‘tags’ to put on their tree & Memorial Wall (also an idea to which Seth helped form) to honor those who have served in the past, the fallen heroes & those who defend today for our nation’s freedom. Each tag has one service members name, Branch & dates of service. Her eldest son loved hanging them on their tree.

Saving Grace is all about honoring our heroes & helping the families of them in any way we are able. For AJ, this personal project as well as Saving Grace as a whole is something she is passionate about because of the influence the military has had in her life (helping her grow as a person, saving her life a few times) as well as to honor Seth’s memory.

------- FAQs Section -------
Ive gotten a few questions asked about the tags, so please read this if you have a tag coming or would like to submit one.

-- What is this?
Operation Holiday Tags is a project that I have going on during the holidays especially but I leave it open all year... I make these tags that go up on the Memorial Wall during the year, then for the Christmas Holiday Season, I place them on my tree along with or instead of ornaments. For the full story, click on this link on my site that explains it: http://ajtaylor.doberler.com/sg-operation-holiday-tags.html

-- What information do you need from me for a tag?
First we need a picture of the service member(s) that you would like to be added, preferably in some type of uniform, you may submit more than one if you would like (up to 2 total) to have it displayed along with the tag in my album. I've had some submit a picture of them, then a picture of the family.
Second, I need the appropriate information about them. You can Find this if you scroll up the page near the top just under the video.

--When will the tags be ready?
I plan on getting the 'rough draft' digital tags out to everyone for approval by the 1st week of December, I want to make sure that the tag is the way you would like it presented, that way if anything needs to be changed, we can get it done before I start posting the final digital tags up on here(The week before Christmas), with the hard tags the week of Christmas.

--You have mentioned 'hard tags' and 'digital tags', what is the difference?
The first difference is as their names intend. I use a template to make the tags, and I actually create 2 tags for 1 person. Digital is the template made up all pretty so it looks nice for computer display, and the hard tag is what actually gets printed up and put on the Christmas Tree. Here is an example for you:

This is a digital tag:


This is a hard tag:


I plan on making the Digital tags a bit different this year since I know more about my templates and the programs I use (Yes, I use more than one program to make these)

--Why do you want a picture with the information?
There is a few reasons, first and foremost, I would like to know a face to go with the name, and since they will be displayed up in the "Operation Holiday Tags" Album I know that others would like to put a face to a name as well. I'm sure we all feel that our military members are a lot more than a name and SSN. Second, I plan on using photos in my project this year.

If anyone has any more questions that I didn't address here, don't hesitate to ask me. Send me a message here or at the Site's email - saving.​grace.​mis@​gmail.​com. I look forward to seeing your Solider/Marine/Airman/Airwoman/Sailor's name up with everyone else this year!!

Thank you for your support, your help & have a blessed holiday.