Looking for some design ideas for a military shadowbox - for my son...
My father recently gave my son several items from his military service
spanning various posts and tours: West Point (58), Iran, Korea, Vietnam
(65).
I'd like to include items from each of these spots. However, I've also
got the set of fatigues that my father was wearing when he earned one of
his purple hearts, and a semi-shredded shoulder holster from another
incident. I'd like to display these somehow in this box - but am worried
if that tips the design over into unwieldy or perhaps poorly
proportioned for a wall mount.
I just finished a desk for my daughter, and haven't spent much time
thinking about the box (just hit me this morning). In typing this, I'm
wondering if display such as this torn (and "unwashed") uniform could be
considered in poor taste... It's by no means gruesome; but there is a
bullet hole and stains. Actually, I might have to chew on that...
Feedback - including appropriateness of the display - is welcome.
--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
Mon, Oct 29, 2007, 6:40pm (EDT+4) [email protected]
(jbd=A0in=A0Denver) doth want to know:
<snip> Feedback - including appropriateness of the display - is welcome.
Ask the kid what HE wants. He might just want them kept in a nice
box, with a lid. But you'll never know unless you ask.
JOAT
It's not hard, if you get your mind right.
- Granny Weatherwax
On Oct 30, 10:25 am, "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:
> "asmurff" wrote in message
> > You might want to ask your father, he may not want to see that on a
> regular
> > basis.
>
> An excellent, and required, suggestion!
>
> My daughters and wife decided to surprise me with a medal/insignia display
> some years ago (I was perfectly happy with the cardboard box they were in at
> the bottom of a closet).
>
> Neither they, nor the person who put the display together, had any idea
> whatsoever of the significance, importance, rank, tradition, etc of any of
> the items, which is a VERY important consideration in displaying any
> military insignia/medals.
>
> It took a good deal of tact to get it changed to make it presentable, and
> not downright wrong and inappropriate, particularly for anyone with any
> military experience who happened to see it.
>
> It's always better to ask, particularly in this regard.
>
> --www.e-woodshop.net
> Last update: 10/25/07
> KarlC@ (the obvious)
KarlC...
I am in a similar predicament. My husband REALLY wants a shadow box
of his medals and pins. I told him that I don't know what any of it
means or how to display it. He claims that it is something a military
person should receive as a gift...but hello...I DON'T KNOW HOW TO
DISPLAY IT ALL CORRECTLY!!! Do you know if there are people/places
that will do this sort of thing? The last thing I want to do is have
it all flubbed up. For some reason, he is adamant that it be a
"surprise" gift.
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Oct 30, 10:25 am, "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:
>> "asmurff" wrote in message
>> > You might want to ask your father, he may not want to see that on a
>> regular
>> > basis.
>>
>> An excellent, and required, suggestion!
>
> KarlC...
> I am in a similar predicament. My husband REALLY wants a shadow box
> of his medals and pins. I told him that I don't know what any of it
> means or how to display it. He claims that it is something a military
> person should receive as a gift...but hello...I DON'T KNOW HOW TO
> DISPLAY IT ALL CORRECTLY!!! Do you know if there are people/places
> that will do this sort of thing? The last thing I want to do is have
> it all flubbed up. For some reason, he is adamant that it be a
> "surprise" gift.
Made several of these while in the AF. Each was a collective, group effort
of people that worked with the individual being honored. The best looking
ones were the ones that were a true montage display of medals, insignia,
patches or other memorabilia that was scrounged or stolen from the honoree.
Do not include a folded flag - that gets its own display box - when the time
comes.
One of the things we did was to raise items off the back panel at varying
heights to provide a 3D effect. For instance, for one officer we displayed
his Lt bars attached to the felt lined back. The Capt bars were displayed on
a block (flat black paint) raised about 1/2"from the back. The Major and Lt
Col insignia were also arranged about 1" higher than the Lt bars and finally
his Colonel (Eagles) was displayed on a larger block that had blue felt
glued to its surface so the insignia was displayed prominently. Patches
were partially displayed with one overlaying the other but done so that the
significance of the patch was visible. Ribbons are displayed as though they
are being worn and displayed in the case as they would be viewed if they
were on his/her uniform. Medals are displayed in the same manner and given
prominence in the case unless there is some special item (Congressional /
Command letter, etc.) that highlights their career or tour of duty.
For seeing how medals, ribbons and patches are worn and displayed on the
uniform, check the services web site. There's usually some link that will
get you the info you're looking for. As for including any part of the
uniform in the display, we did include an "overseas" cap in one which had
the retiring rank insignia attached. But other than that and some patches -
we never did include any clothing item.
As for displaying it all correctly. Just be sure the ribbons and medals are
in their proper order as I noted above. Everything else - do what looks
good and balances it out and don't worry about making it look as though its
a gov't issued item that came with a 600 page manual. This is a personal
memento given and made by those that know the individual - arranged to their
liking. Have some special pictures that should be included? How about
their lucky coin / rabbit's foot or lighter, special belt buckle they wore,
flying glasses (if they were air crew members) any item that will provoke a
memory or beg a question so they can "tell their story".
That's what those display cases are for and should be made so that they can
be displayed by either being mounted on a wall or displayed on an easel.
The DD214 form - stays in the safe deposit box.....
Bob S.
>
> KarlC...
> I am in a similar predicament. My husband REALLY wants a shadow box
> of his medals and pins. I told him that I don't know what any of it
> means or how to display it. He claims that it is something a military
> person should receive as a gift...but hello...I DON'T KNOW HOW TO
> DISPLAY IT ALL CORRECTLY!!! Do you know if there are people/places
> that will do this sort of thing? The last thing I want to do is have
> it all flubbed up. For some reason, he is adamant that it be a
> "surprise" gift.
google Army uniform regulations... Navy... USAF... USMC...
I saw the Army and Navy regs, complete with drawings, order of presidence of
medals...
Good luck
Jack
"asmurff" wrote in message
> You might want to ask your father, he may not want to see that on a
regular
> basis.
An excellent, and required, suggestion!
My daughters and wife decided to surprise me with a medal/insignia display
some years ago (I was perfectly happy with the cardboard box they were in at
the bottom of a closet).
Neither they, nor the person who put the display together, had any idea
whatsoever of the significance, importance, rank, tradition, etc of any of
the items, which is a VERY important consideration in displaying any
military insignia/medals.
It took a good deal of tact to get it changed to make it presentable, and
not downright wrong and inappropriate, particularly for anyone with any
military experience who happened to see it.
It's always better to ask, particularly in this regard.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/25/07
KarlC@ (the obvious)
Tue, Oct 30, 2007, 9:25am (EDT-2) [email protected] (Swingman) doth
sayeth:
An excellent, and required, suggestion!
My daughters and wife decided to surprise me with a medal/insignia
display <snip> It's always better to ask, particularly in this regard.
Yeah, I'd be miffed if that happened to me too. However, you
didn't give your stuff away; this guy's father did. So, I'd say the old
man also gave away any say on how they should be displayed, or kept, at
the same time. My vote is, the kid has the final say; but if he wnts a
shadow box, he should keep it in his room, just like he'd do with a box.
I still favor a box..
I've got mine in a drawer in the bedroom. I open the drawer and
take a look every few years, then close the drawer. Works for me.
JOAT
It's not hard, if you get your mind right.
- Granny Weatherwax
You might want to ask your father, he may not want to see that on a regular
basis.
--
Mike
Watch for the bounce.
If ya didn't see it, ya didn't feel it.
If ya see it, it didn't go off.
Old Air Force Munitions Saying
IYAAYAS
"jbd in Denver" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Looking for some design ideas for a military shadowbox - for my son...
>
> My father recently gave my son several items from his military service
> spanning various posts and tours: West Point (58), Iran, Korea, Vietnam
> (65).
>
> I'd like to include items from each of these spots. However, I've also
> got the set of fatigues that my father was wearing when he earned one of
> his purple hearts, and a semi-shredded shoulder holster from another
> incident. I'd like to display these somehow in this box - but am worried
> if that tips the design over into unwieldy or perhaps poorly
> proportioned for a wall mount.
>
> I just finished a desk for my daughter, and haven't spent much time
> thinking about the box (just hit me this morning). In typing this, I'm
> wondering if display such as this torn (and "unwashed") uniform could be
> considered in poor taste... It's by no means gruesome; but there is a
> bullet hole and stains. Actually, I might have to chew on that...
>
> Feedback - including appropriateness of the display - is welcome.
>
>
> --
> Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
>
<[email protected]> wrote
> KarlC...
> I am in a similar predicament. My husband REALLY wants a shadow box
> of his medals and pins. I told him that I don't know what any of it
> means or how to display it. He claims that it is something a military
> person should receive as a gift...but hello...I DON'T KNOW HOW TO
> DISPLAY IT ALL CORRECTLY!!! Do you know if there are people/places
> that will do this sort of thing? The last thing I want to do is have
> it all flubbed up. For some reason, he is adamant that it be a
> "surprise" gift.
My initial reaction is that, in that case, he will have to put up with what
he gets. :)
Rest assured that, in the end, it is the sentiment that counts.
That said, I don't know anyone who you could rely upon to do the job, but
why don't you consider perhaps itemizing what you have to work with and see
of some of us here can give you a hand with regard to a display layout.
There are many veterans here and I'm certain that you could get a collective
consensus of sorts if we know what you're dealing with.
If you prefer to do it privately, my e-mail address is not that hard to
figure out. If someone else wants to jump in here...
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 11/11/07
KarlC@ (the obvious)
"EWCM" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>>
>> KarlC...
>> I am in a similar predicament. My husband REALLY wants a shadow box
>> of his medals and pins. I told him that I don't know what any of it
>> means or how to display it. He claims that it is something a military
>> person should receive as a gift...but hello...I DON'T KNOW HOW TO
>> DISPLAY IT ALL CORRECTLY!!! Do you know if there are people/places
>> that will do this sort of thing? The last thing I want to do is have
>> it all flubbed up. For some reason, he is adamant that it be a
>> "surprise" gift.
>
> google Army uniform regulations... Navy... USAF... USMC...
>
> I saw the Army and Navy regs, complete with drawings, order of presidence
> of medals...
>
> Good luck
>
> Jack
>
Also google Military shadow box and your city... helps if you have any
military base near you.
Call your local military recruiter office, they will probably also know a
source.
Jack