In the top drawer of Papa's dresser contained odds and ends...a pair of cufflinks, an old watch...and his war medals. I'm sure they meant something to him at the time. But as in life, you move on from the past and live your life in the present. There is a family to raise, a business to run. They're just medals...or are they really. Something awarded to you for honor, bravery and integrity. But they also tell a story.
My sister Hope years later, took them from the drawer and together with my brother, Larry, arranged them and had it framed.
After Papa passed away, Larry had discovered some papers related to the medals, and discovered that he did not have the American and European campaign medals that had been awarded to him. He reached out to Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi, and shortly soon after, received the medals.
After much research, Larry visited a military store in Jackson, Mississippi, and the owner was able to give Larry great details of each of Papa's medals, dress coat buttons.
Larry then took all the medals and with the help of Hope, designed a shadow box that proudly displayed Papa's medals in a manner deserving.
Larry returned to the military store with the framed shadow box and the owner was overjoyed to see it. He told Larry, that so many times young people would bring their dad's medals in to sell, and that it was heartwarming to see that our Papa's children thought enough of him to honor him this way. "Museum quality," he exclaimed.
We have a family tradition that each year the framed medals be passed around to each sibling. It is now my year to have the medals to enjoy.
My sister Hope years later, took them from the drawer and together with my brother, Larry, arranged them and had it framed.
After Papa passed away, Larry had discovered some papers related to the medals, and discovered that he did not have the American and European campaign medals that had been awarded to him. He reached out to Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi, and shortly soon after, received the medals.
After much research, Larry visited a military store in Jackson, Mississippi, and the owner was able to give Larry great details of each of Papa's medals, dress coat buttons.
Larry then took all the medals and with the help of Hope, designed a shadow box that proudly displayed Papa's medals in a manner deserving.
Larry returned to the military store with the framed shadow box and the owner was overjoyed to see it. He told Larry, that so many times young people would bring their dad's medals in to sell, and that it was heartwarming to see that our Papa's children thought enough of him to honor him this way. "Museum quality," he exclaimed.
We have a family tradition that each year the framed medals be passed around to each sibling. It is now my year to have the medals to enjoy.
