OT WWII Army uniform -- again

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2017: OT WWII Army uniform -- again
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Dimock, Newfields NH, USA on Monday, November 13, 2017 - 12:29 pm:

Call me a bit slow, but not late for dinner!

In 2011 I posted a couple pictures of the WWII Army uniform that my wife's uncle wore along some Army things that we his.
He sent a majority of his time at Mitchell field on Long Island.
I remember contacting a the Mitchell Field folks and a WWII museum in NH and they were not interested.

This weekend I went thru a closet and found it along with his discharge papers and a few photos etc.
I would like to find a good home for them - any ideas???
I don't want them to appear at an Antifa rally! :-)

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/179374/192561.html

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/179374/206062.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kevin Whelihan Danbury, WI on Monday, November 13, 2017 - 12:46 pm:

Contact your local historical society. When my grandfather moved from his house we discovered his doughboy uniform from WWI. Called the local historical society to see if they wanted it and they were thrilled to get for display. Sometimes local American Legion hall have static displays of memorabilia so they worth a call as well.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vern (Vieux Carre) on Monday, November 13, 2017 - 04:48 pm:

https://www.nationalww2museum.org/

I heard it's the largest WWII museum in the country.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed Archer Hayward, CA. on Monday, November 13, 2017 - 05:19 pm:

Right now it seems that every museum is overloaded with WWII uniforms due to the obvious, a vast majority of our WWII veterans are passing on. 20 or so years from now it may be different. I belong to a group of younger guys and girls that wear the uniforms in parades and other military type functions honoring our WWI and WWII veterans. Any one of our members would love to have the uniform and properly display and care for it. requirement would be having all the details of the person who wore it etc.

Ed aka #4


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Dimock, Newfields NH, USA on Monday, November 13, 2017 - 06:12 pm:

I am finding that Ed Archer is right about museums being overloaded with WWII uniforms.
They have little interest.

ED please tell me a bit more about your group.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By dale w on Monday, November 13, 2017 - 08:07 pm:

I attended an auction a few years ago that was to settle the estate of a WWII Marine.

When the fella's uniform and medals came up a gentleman in the audience protested, saying that they should be donated to a local museum, not sold off to some high-bidding vulture.

The auctioneer explained to the guy that he was free to buy the articles himself and donate them if he chose to, but this was an auction to disperse the estate and to settle it.
A few bids into it, the protester dropped out and after that, I jumped in and eventually ran off all the other bidders.
After I collected the clothing and other bits (a standard uniform a few coats and jackets, a full dress uniform, boots, shoes, hats, boots, medals, a ream of papers and some field equipment) I hunted down the vociferous guy who said they should be donated, and told him that is exactly what I planned on doing.

He gave me directions to the museum and after the auction winded down I headed over to the small former grist mill which was ran by volunteers with the local historical society.
I went in and was greeted by a trio of elderly folks who were excited to accept the uniforms and as they were in the process of going through them, the female in the group, while holding up the dress uniform, asked me if I knew who they belonged to.
Yes, I said, and when I told her his name, "Albert A---", she gasped and quickly put the uniform back down on the table, then stood back and with her hands over her mouth stared at it for a moment before she told us that
"I was Maid of Honour at Albert's wedding, and this is the uniform he wore that day!"
Her eyes welled up and she began to cry. She hurriedly excused herself, but the other two volunteers picked up the conversation, saying that they both knew him too, and in fact, they had the sign that was posted outside the courthouse during the war listing all the local boys who fought (out of a population of about 400 at that time, there were over 70 names) that had his name at the very top on display in another room, and would I like to see it?

I ended up spending the rest of the afternoon hanging out there with my new friends while they gave me a full guided tour of everything they had on display and many things that weren't.
They also informed me that they had decided to dress up a mannequin with the dress uniform and place it next to an absolutely gorgeous WWII era silk bridal gown that was sewn completely out of govt. issue parachute!
As I left, the woman chased me down to thank me and apologize for her reaction, to which I told her that there was no reason to apologize and I was glad to see the collection would be kept and displayed only a few miles from where the owner lived his entire life.
Then she asked how I knew of their small museum, and I told her about the guy in the crowd at the auction who said the uniform belonged here, how he was
outbid and how I came to take possession of them and ultimately bring it to them.

"What was his name?" she asked.
I told her I didn't know, but described him the best I could, including his wheelchair and his custom van.
"Oh, that was D.B." she explained, "I can't believe he didn't buy them himself, he and Alfred knew each other pretty good as well, and he's got more money than all of us put together!"
I shrugged and said I musta caught him on an off day and that important thing was that the stuff ended up where it belonged.

"Oh well," she finally said in agreement as we parted, "Things did work out just fine in the end, and come to think of it, Alfred always said he was an @$$hole!"


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Gregush Portland Oregon on Monday, November 13, 2017 - 08:37 pm:

Oh Dale, got a great chuckle out of that last line, THANK YOU!
I am the care taker of my Uncle Joe's WW2 uniform and patches along with some of his papers. He was OS in the signal corp's. Going thru Italy into Gemany.

(Message edited by redmodelt on November 13, 2017)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed Archer Hayward, CA. on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 - 06:34 pm:

Fred, not sure I can tell enough without writing a book and this is not the place for that. I found out early on that I'm more of a historian than just a car guy. I love the era! 1900 to 1927. So "our" war would be WW1. late 1960s I found a WW1 uniform that I could wear. I found that there were a few other car guys with a common interest and some non car guys. In the early 70s we began transporting WW1 veterans through the Veterans Day parade. We would have several car loads of them. Sadly they began dying off. We promised to keep the WW1 spirit alive and honor them and never let people forget The Great War, "To end all wars" as long as we were able. For many years including this, if it weren't for us there would be nothing regarding WW1 in the big Veterans Day parade in San Jose CA. We supply a 3 man Color Guard representing the Army, Navy, and Marines. I'm the Marine carrying the colors. This year we had a couple of Army guys marching behind us followed by a 1916 Pierce Arrow driven by an Army Officer, and on the back seat setting high on top of the seat back was an Army air corps "hero" and sitting down in the seat on each side of him was two Women Motor Corps ladies. Bringing up the rear was a 1917 Ford touring driven by a Red Cross Nurse, accompanied by another nurse and 3 Womans Motor Corps ladies. We are honored to be able to do this. Only one in our group is retired military, so when I mention "Army Officer or Womans Motor Corps, that is the complete uniform that they are wearing. Not trying to impersonate, just trying to honor that person and the memory of WW1. We're not an organized "club," anyone is welcome but you have to be seriously completely authentically dressed and act appropriately and have your heart in the right place. Many of our "members" handle WWII in the same way. Whew! That's the best I can do in this short spot and kind of explains it.

Ed aka #4


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed Archer Hayward, CA. on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 - 06:56 pm:

Should have added a picture. So far I only have two from this year, one of a pre parade Color Guard "practice" and the other a group shot after lunch.

Ed aka #4


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Dimock, Newfields NH, USA on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 - 06:41 pm:

Thanks guys.
I now have a few alternatives.
Please don’t think I am ignoring you.

As soon as my wife and I have time to talk we will make a decision.
Lately we have only had a couple hours a day together because she is in thesis correcting mode (she is a college professor) and work has me extra busy.

The uniform belonged to her uncle thus she has the final say.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James A. Golden on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 - 07:20 pm:

Fred, this is one of our Washington DC club members that has a private museum at his home and he would probably be interested.

WW1


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Humphrey on Thursday, November 16, 2017 - 08:23 am:

please check this place out....since he was in the medical corps....

http://www.stateoffranklin.net/johnsons/va100/index.htm


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