Question for those who were formerly in the military

[psuro]

i am helping a friend deal with her brothers and fathers affects after both passed. The father was in the Navy.

He left behind uniforms medals caps.

What can she do with these? Does it just go to Army Navy Surplus stores or will the military take back some of these and "recycle" them?

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

i am helping a friend deal with her brothers and fathers affects after both passed. The father was in the Navy.

He left behind uniforms medals caps.

What can she do with these? Does it just go to Army Navy Surplus stores or will the military take back some of these and "recycle" them?

I don't think the military will take any. It's up to her, but a nice thing to do with medals/awards is to have them properly arranged and framed. There are a lot of ways to customize and plenty of places online who will do this.

 

[Cyclingmik]

Flag cases are a good idea.... did one for my great uncle’s flag and World War II medals, picture, dog tags etc. and working on one for my grandfather’s.

 

[Gnat91]

My father passed down his "fruit salad " (his rack of ribbons) to my brother. He in turn passed that and his down to the next in line And then on to me when I graduated boot camp. My son will get his grandfather's, 2 uncles and mine when he gets through boot. don't understand why she would want to get rid of the stuff.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

My father passed down his "fruit salad " (his rack of ribbons) to my brother. He in turn passed that and his down to the next in line And then on to me when I graduated boot camp. My son will get his grandfather's, 2 uncles and mine when he gets through boot. don't understand why she would want to get rid of the stuff.

Going along with this, even though I never served, my grandfather's military medals and other items are some of my most prized possessions. I hope she doesn't get rid of them.

 

[psuro]

My father passed down his "fruit salad " (his rack of ribbons) to my brother. He in turn passed that and his down to the next in line And then on to me when I graduated boot camp. My son will get his grandfather's, 2 uncles and mine when he gets through boot. don't understand why she would want to get rid of the stuff.

It's more the uniforms than the medals that she does not know what to do with.

 

[psuro]

Going along with this, even though I never served, my grandfather's military medals and other items are some of my most prized possessions. I hope she doesn't get rid of them.

It's the old uniforms-not the medals.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

It's the old uniforms-not the medals.

Army Navy surplus store or Goodwill then.

 

[Gnat91]

It's more the uniforms than the medals that she does not know what to do with.

Just a suggestion.. If they're more BDUs , like every day work uniforms, I took all my old ones and cut them up for shop rags..if they're dress uniforms I would think she's pretty much stuck with them depending on where she lives. If she lives near a navy base she can take them to the clothing store for sailors that might need some of the stuff but don't have the funds to buy new..

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

Army Navy surplus store or Goodwill then.

No need to keep old dungarees or fatigues and they have no value. OTOH I've let it be known that when the Turk comes for me, lay me down in my service dress blues.

 

[LoyalandTrueLion]

It's the old uniforms-not the medals.

Out of the box thought. high school theater arts programs are always looking for these as there are many plays they have military themed scenes. You can save them funds of looking for/creating costumes. Since theater arts is underfunded.

 

[psuro]

Out of the box thought. high school theater arts programs are always looking for these as there are many plays they have military themed scenes. You can save them funds of looking for/creating costumes. Since theater arts is underfunded.

That's actually a good idea.

 

[PSU_1991]

Thanks to those of you who have served.

 

[not so fast my friend]

That's actually a good idea.

When I retired, I took some of my old uniforms that I had deployed with and had pillows made out of the tops for each of my kids. Presented them to the kids at the ceremony.

 

[HazletonLion]

There are places who buy old military uniforms, also re-enactors from WWII era.
People who buy gold , jewelry, etc sometimes buy uniforms, don't have any experience with them though.