Another Question For You Military Types

[Snaggletiger]

My grandmother died several years back and left the house and contents to my dad and his brother. They asked some of us grandkids if we had any interest in any of the furniture or other stuff so I go up there rummaging through.  In the old attic where we used to play as kids, grandma had a habit of covering things up with newspaper so it was cool to read the headlines from the 60's and 70's and see who was in first in the AL East. 

Anyway, I come across this old Army satchel of some sort, filled with letters and documents.  I knew my great grandfather was a doctor and was in WWI but wasn't sure what he did.  From what I could gather, he spent much of his time on a train which was basically a moving hospital, treating the wounded while it moved from battlefield to battlefield.  Even found an old amputation kit with various sizes of saws.  The letters and things start around 1912 and move forward.  I found a ticket to the opera in Paris too.  All of it is in great condition. 

I guess my question is whether there is a need for stuff like this in museums or if people collect these things.  I realize a lot of that stuff has sentimental value and it is a part of my family's history, but I honestly don't understand half of what's in there.  A friend of mine who is currently in the Army, looked through it recently and was amazed, explaining everything and basically telling the story of my GGF's time in the military and in the war.  I don't care to profit from it but was wondering if others might be interested.  Any thoughts?   

[AUTiger1]

Donate it to a local museum or give it to the VFW and let them do it.  That is if you don't want it.

[Snaggletiger]

Donate it to a local museum or give it to the VFW and let them do it.  That is if you don't want it.

It may be worthless for all I know but just to see documents from WWI that are essentially a century old in such good condition is cool to me.

[chinook]

sounds like a trip to vegas is in order.  they have pawn shops. 

[AWK]

sounds like a trip to vegas is in order.  they have pawn shops.

For real, Pawn Stars in Vegas.  Do it.

[djsimp]

It may be worthless for all I know but just to see documents from WWI that are essentially a century old in such good condition is cool to me.

Donating some of it to an Army museum would be cool but I would def hang on to some of it to the following generations in your family. You should look somewhere around Ft. Rucker.

[CCTAU]

I'm a sentimental old fart. I would have to buy/build a display case to show off not only the old, but my heritage. Too few of us have mementos of that kind of history. I don't think I could ever pawn anything like that. There are some memories worth more than money. But that's just me.

[Vandy Vol]

I'm a sentimental old fart. I would have to buy/build a display case to show off not only the old, but my heritage. Too few of us have mementos of that kind of history. I don't think I could ever pawn anything like that. There are some memories worth more than money. But that's just me.

Same here...well, except I'm not an old fart.

My brother doesn't have any interest in my father's uniform or medals, but I'd like to display it in some manner.  At least the medals, if not the uniform...still haven't decided whether the whole thing would be too large/gaudy as a whole.

[Saniflush]

Same here...well, except I'm not an old fart.

My brother doesn't have any interest in my father's uniform or medals, but I'd like to display it in some manner.  At least the medals, if not the uniform...still haven't decided whether the whole thing would be too large/gaudy as a whole.

What the fuck ever. You like to put the uniform on and skip around.

[AUJarhead]

What the fuck ever. You like to put the uniform on and skip around.

Like you don't do it in your blues.

Snaggle, you could try donating to the National World War I Museum if you really don't want to hang onto it.

http://www.theworldwar.org/s/110/new/index.aspx?sid=110&gid=1&pgid=1047

After I enlisted in the Corps, my dad, who is an Air Force Vietnam Vet, gave me the scrap book my Grandfather, a WWII and Korea Marine Vet, gave him.  Some really neat stuff in there, particularly pictures he took when he was stationed in China, prior to the US entry into the war, of Japan attacking.  They were also stationed in London when during Queen Elizabeth's coronation.  My grandfather was invited, and the invitation is stuck in the scrap book as well.  I don't know if I could ever part with it, though.

[Saniflush]

Like you don't do it in your blues.

My blues fit 45 lbs ago.  I had that shit tailored by Brooks Brothers. 

[GH2001]

For real, Pawn Stars in Vegas.  Do it.

TV does that place a LOT of justice. Ive seen bigger and better shops within an hour of me. Very overhyped shop to me.

I would donate to the new Infantry museum at Ft Benning snaggle. Where it will be appreciated by all and cared for.

[Snaggletiger]

Preciate the responses. 

[Vandy Vol]

What the fuck ever. You like to put the uniform on and skip around.

Just the top half.  When I skip around, I like to wear nothing from the waist down.

[Saniflush]

Just the top half.  When I skip around, I like to wear nothing from the waist down.

The twig and berries tweeing in da win.

[Snaggletiger]

Just the top half.  When I skip around, I like to wear nothing from the waist down.

You do at least have your sword on, right?

[Vandy Vol]

You do at least have your sword hard on, right?

Right.

[Pell City Tiger]

That's cool stuff, Snag man! I would recommend touching base with the Army Medic Museum and see if they'd like to read through any of the material you have.

Here's a site dedicated to the Army rail car medics that you may find of interest. The guy that runs it will likely be interested as well.

http://railwaysurgery.org/Army.htm

[AU_Tiger_2000]

Another option is there is a museum in Mobile that specializes in medical/surgical history.

http://www.mobilemedicalmuseum.com/default.htm

[Tiger Six]

Just give it to me.  I will make sure it finds a good home.