Family Military Display: Opinions sought
My family has a military history going back to the Civil War. Its something I am proud of, and one of the reasons I enlisted as soon as I was eligible.
One idea I have kicked around is the idea of a family shadow box, containing all of the medals and ribbons we have been awarded over the years.
My first thought was to do them seperately, with each individuals medals and awards laid out separately. One spot for mine, one for my dad, and so on.
However, as I've been looking for the appropriate items, the idea struck me to diplay them as one....ie, instead of my Great Great Grandfather's Civil War medal being diplayed by itself, it would be included with the rest of the family medals, both grandpa's, my dad's going all the way down through my own....all in one single "rack".
The general idea is something akin to Battle Streamers that are displayed with military unit flags.
I've looked around online, and can't find anyone that has made a display like this....and I know that display of military decorations can sometimes be touchy....obviously I am not claiming to hold the War of Northern Aggression , Pacific Theatre, and the Iraq Campaign medals all on my own...but this is intended to show family lineage and heritage, and it seems to me to be a creative way to do that.
Unfortunately, time and family problems have dispersed the authentic medals, other than those of myself and my dad.....which is one thing I wish I could correct...but, I have everyone's military records, so figuring out what awards are rated hasn't been difficult. It's something I would love to be able to pass down to my sons one day, along with the opportunity to add their own honors to the display.
Anyways....I'm seeking opinions on if my idea for a single display resonates with you all...as I sometimes can't tell if I've stumbled on a wonderful idea, or its a terrible idea and no one will tell me [:)]
One idea I have kicked around is the idea of a family shadow box, containing all of the medals and ribbons we have been awarded over the years.
My first thought was to do them seperately, with each individuals medals and awards laid out separately. One spot for mine, one for my dad, and so on.
However, as I've been looking for the appropriate items, the idea struck me to diplay them as one....ie, instead of my Great Great Grandfather's Civil War medal being diplayed by itself, it would be included with the rest of the family medals, both grandpa's, my dad's going all the way down through my own....all in one single "rack".
The general idea is something akin to Battle Streamers that are displayed with military unit flags.
I've looked around online, and can't find anyone that has made a display like this....and I know that display of military decorations can sometimes be touchy....obviously I am not claiming to hold the War of Northern Aggression , Pacific Theatre, and the Iraq Campaign medals all on my own...but this is intended to show family lineage and heritage, and it seems to me to be a creative way to do that.
Unfortunately, time and family problems have dispersed the authentic medals, other than those of myself and my dad.....which is one thing I wish I could correct...but, I have everyone's military records, so figuring out what awards are rated hasn't been difficult. It's something I would love to be able to pass down to my sons one day, along with the opportunity to add their own honors to the display.
Anyways....I'm seeking opinions on if my idea for a single display resonates with you all...as I sometimes can't tell if I've stumbled on a wonderful idea, or its a terrible idea and no one will tell me [:)]
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Personally, I like them clustered from each family member. I tried to get my dad's ribbons /metals (some forum member posted how to do this 15 years ago) but was told his record were lost due to a military building fire in St. Louis (I believe). 0 -
After Dad passed my sister made a shadow box for me with Dads stuff. Ribbons, photos, patches etc...
She kept the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for her own.0 -
Maybe in a timeline?
Not by name, but by conflict/war/era/etc....
Would be cool to find time-authentic medals, if you don't have them.
I think this would highlight the service of your Family, not service of the individuals.
"The whole being greater than the sum of it's parts".... Ya know?
Just my 2 cents.
However you do it, please post pics of it.0 -
quote:Originally posted by kimi
As you have already mentioned, Rack, do them separately, i.e. like Tech said, "by conflict/war/era."0 -
quote:Originally posted by Tech141
Maybe in a timeline?
Not by name, but by conflict/war/era/etc....
Would be cool to find time-authentic medals, if you don't have them.
I think this would highlight the service of your Family, not service of the individuals.
"The whole being greater than the sum of it's parts".... Ya know?
"The whole being greater than the sum of its parts" is exactly what I am going for.
Interestingly enough, if the correct order of precidence is used, the campaign medals/ribbons will be in a timeline. Older campaigns come first by tradition. So the War of Northern Aggression Campaign medal comes first, then the various WW2 campaigns, then my Iraq campaign medal bringing up the rear.0 -
If I combined them...this is roughly what it would look like....Civil_War medal is out of place (Blue/Grey Medal at the end), as it would go prior to the WW2 American Campaign medal. 
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neat idea set up as one unit w dates ??...but i would keep the display in a safe and bring em out on holidays or special family events... 0 -
Rack
I would set them all in a row side by side with the oldest to the left moving to the newest on the right. 14 medals is not that large of a display.
I would then do an engraved plaque with each person name, dates of service and branch of service.
If you are or know someone who is really good at woodworking, I would consider the display portion in the center with piers on each end that you could place the brass or silver plaques on.0 -
I think it is a great idea. Put thought into how you want to present it and do it. Velvet with brass plates, designed paper with text, light, dark, etc. what ever you think is best.
Have you thought about leaving room for any future medals?0 -
quote:Originally posted by SCOUT5
I think it is a great idea. Put thought into how you want to present it and do it. Velvet with brass plates, designed paper with text, light, dark, etc. what ever you think is best.
Have you thought about leaving room for any future medals?
Yes, room for future medals and awards is planned. I plan on passing this down to my son, so I think a single row probably wouldn't work.
Brass plates naming the medal seems like a good idea.
Fortunately, we've managed to cover all branches of the military, so emblems from all can be added as well.
My grandfather earned a CIB, so it will need to be placed somewhere in there as well too.0 -
I love the idea.... IMHO, display them however you prefer.... the more interesting the display, the higher the probability of engaging conversations, which increases your opportunity to reminisce about your family.
NS0 -
quote:Originally posted by Rack Ops
My family has a military history going back to the Civil War. Its something I am proud of, and one of the reasons I enlisted as soon as I was eligible.
One idea I have kicked around is the idea of a family shadow box, containing all of the medals and ribbons we have been awarded over the years.
My first thought was to do them seperately, with each individuals medals and awards laid out separately. One spot for mine, one for my dad, and so on.
However, as I've been looking for the appropriate items, the idea struck me to diplay them as one....ie, instead of my Great Great Grandfather's Civil War medal being diplayed by itself, it would be included with the rest of the family medals, both grandpa's, my dad's going all the way down through my own....all in one single "rack".
The general idea is something akin to Battle Streamers that are displayed with military unit flags.
I've looked around online, and can't find anyone that has made a display like this....and I know that display of military decorations can sometimes be touchy....obviously I am not claiming to hold the War of Northern Aggression , Pacific Theatre, and the Iraq Campaign medals all on my own...but this is intended to show family lineage and heritage, and it seems to me to be a creative way to do that.
Unfortunately, time and family problems have dispersed the authentic medals, other than those of myself and my dad.....which is one thing I wish I could correct...but, I have everyone's military records, so figuring out what awards are rated hasn't been difficult. It's something I would love to be able to pass down to my sons one day, along with the opportunity to add their own honors to the display.
Anyways....I'm seeking opinions on if my idea for a single display resonates with you all...as I sometimes can't tell if I've stumbled on a wonderful idea, or its a terrible idea and no one will tell me [:)]
It's a cool idea.... if you want to make one to display in your home go for it.0 -
Bear in mind that no matter how well you plan and design it the family will eventually expand and new wars will become history to the point you or your descendants will have to add more shadow boxes. Design it in such a way future boxes will fit into a sequence of display.
It sounds like a good idea, but a lot of work.
Missing medals can usually be replaced at no cost from the concerned Bureau of Personnel except the Medal of Honor. The medals you can?t get free can be bought at various military exchanges and online sellers, again except the Medal of Honor.
Enjoy the project and the results.0
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