Military moms can't follow him past graduation: 5 reasons they bring three St Michael medals to Family Day

"Ten weeks I waited for Family Day. When they called his name I had a St Michael medal in my coat pocket, and he slid it onto his tag chain right there on the field. One went around my neck that morning. The third went to his battle buddy, whose family couldn't make the drive. ST MICHAEL PROTECT US, around the rim. St Michael, go with him." — Lori, 52, Killeen, Texas

"My son won't wear jewelry" tops most of your letters. He doesn't have to. The ring takes the ball chain of his dog tags, so his saint rides on the chain he already wears.

St Michael is the patron of soldiers. Army basic is ten weeks; the medal arrives in 5-10 working days, long before they call his name.

"Ten at night he buttons his uniform shirt over his medal and goes. I get the boys to bed, put my hand on mine, the same St Michael, and say it: St Michael, go with him. Gold for him, silver for me. Our oldest is fourteen and asked for his own, so the third one is his." — Renee, 41, Bakersfield, California, a deputy's wife of eleven years

In 1886, Pope Leo XIII ordered this prayer said after every Low Mass: "Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle." The rim says it short, in four words.

Will yours look like a man's? The same 32 mm medal, gold or silver each; on the 24 in chain it falls lower on you, below the collarbone.

"My son told me on his first phone call. At reception the drill sergeant had him empty his pockets, picked up the St Michael medal, turned it over in his glove, looked at the saint for a second and handed it back with those words. I cried in the car after that call. Mine hasn't left my neck since he shipped. The third one is waiting for his little brother." — Patty, 57, Saginaw, Michigan

"Nothing personal at boot camp," the forums say. The rules are his branch's and vary by base: have him ask his recruiter. In the Army, the uniform rule (AR 670-1) allows discreet religious jewelry on a chain no wider than his ID-tag chain, so many sons wear it on the tag chain itself. Or give it at graduation.

"One for my son. One for me. The third is for his partner. His mom passed in March. They ride the same cruiser, nights, on the county road. At her funeral my son told me nobody says Marcus's name in a prayer anymore. So now I do. I wrote his name on a slip of paper, set his medal on it, and asked Father to bless all three after Mass." — Marlene, 60, Davenport, Iowa

St Michael, patron of police, on both their necks.

Already blessed? No one can sell you a blessing. Any priest or deacon blesses a medal after Mass, free, in about two minutes: "Father, would you bless these for my son and his partner?"

One for him, one for you, one more. At Oremus it's called The Family: buy 2, get 1 free. Three of the same 32 mm St Michael medal for $78, $26 a medal, gold or silver each. The third is the same medal, with a name.

Order through Sunday, November 8, and the seven All Saints gifts reach your inbox the day you order: his prayer card, the Medal Guide, eight audio prayers, the 9-day novena, a personal prayer, the 30-day prayer journal and a $15 credit. The medals follow in 5-10 working days, free and tracked, from the partner workshop in China, in a simple pouch, no gift box yet.

No "30% off a new one" here. The Unbroken Promise: arrived damaged, or not as shown? A photo within 30 days, a refund. Breaks within a year? A new one ships free, no return. A lost one isn't covered.