The time had come for me to help my parents clear out their home. They would be transitioning to a new residence to meet their needs. This would be a considerable undertaking, but I was up for the challenge.
I started in the basement. During the process, I came across an assortment of items. Among them were boxes of books, camping gear, dishware, furniture, photo albums, records, slides, yearbooks and my father’s retired army gear.
My father, a veteran of the Army, had hanging on a wooden rack his army fatigues and a thick green trench coat. Inside a zipped-up bag was his captain’s uniform, and stored securely in its original Top Rank Service Cap box, his cap. Folded into a tight bundle was his duffle bag that smelled of must.
While sorting through this basement corner, I came across his collection of military pins, dog tags and a handful of manilla envelopes containing his military certificates, discharge papers and copies of his technical reports. A few slide cases were among the findings and featured a slide of him in uniform with his wife, Betty, and his parents. A handful showcase army members greeting former President Lyndon B. Johnson outside Walter Reed Army Medical Center and are clearly marked with the year.
Spilling his assortment of pins onto a table, I wondered why my father received these. What did they represent? Since discovering these items, my curiosity has me conducting research. My quest is to figure out their meaning and learn ways to best preserve this military memorabilia.
My father suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. It hurts deeply that his lifetime of memories is scattered and worn. Between the moments of quiet, I cherish our opportunities to reminisce. While his sharing of thoughts can change in a matter of minutes, I wait patiently and record detailed notes to retell his memories. I’m grateful to my sisters for our team approach to our father’s care, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for providing me with support and insight on the disease.
While I try to fill in the missing pieces, I have an excellent resource besides the library and the internet. My son serves in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. He’s always willing to answer my questions about the Army, his service and training and share insight about his grandfather’s collection. Gathering information helps me understand my father’s military research as an Army captain with the Chemical Corps.
As I sort through and count the pieces of what I want to identify, I think of a saying I share in my classrooms. “It’s not how much you have but what you have to give.” When I speak these words, I think of the servicemen and women who selfishly offer their lives for their call to service.
I’ve decided to keep my father’s military collection. His clothing is tucked away in my cedar chest, cleaned, sealed and with notes attached. His Army papers are in my filing cabinet. While these items are a part of my father’s past and his dedicated service, they also showcase his life as one well-lived.
A large selection of information is waiting for you. The resources I’ve included assisted me with learning more about my father’s military service and mementos, and I trust they will support your journey of discovery. May your findings bring you peace and encourage you to reflect and honor a loved ones’ service and sacrifice.
Alzheimer’s support for veterans
- https://www.alz.org/help-support/resources/online-tools
- https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/activities
- https://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/pages/Alzheimers_and_Dementia_Care.asp
Donating military uniforms
- https://www.swordandplough.com/pages/uniform-donations
- https://americangimuseum.org/contribute/donations/
- https://www.celebratefatigues.org/donate-fatigues
- https://www.wearablegratitude.com/veteran-donations
- https://www.kiiitv.com/article/news/military-matters/uni
Identifying military memorabilia
- https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/subjects/military
- https://www.goarmy.com/about/ranks-and-insignia/insignia.html
How to best preserve military uniforms & memorabilia
- https://www.ala.org/rt/godort/guidelines-preservation-military-items
- https://www.familytreemagazine.com/preservation/heirlooms/flags-military-uniform-preservation/
- https://www.nationalww2museum.org/preservation-artifacts
Sharing stories & documenting service
This personal essay was written by Nancy Craker-Yahman
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