US Campaign Ribbons

[Detroitpete]

This is all just opinon--

Getting back to the original poster's statement, he's looking to outfit his father. I'd say let dad decide what to do and not do with his medals, minis and ribbons. Help point him toward regulations, but in the end, its up to him.

Many of us who have served in the armed forces and received medals take these things personally. As a boy, I often wondered why my grandfather kept his medals in a drawer about as ceremoniously as a used eraser. After he passed away, I researched his military service. He served in some of the bloddiest actions in WWII. He had his reasons for how he kept his memories.

It wasn't until I ended my service that I understood. I'm not telling anyone else what to do with medals they earned. But for me--the last thing I would want to do is to place them on a civilian garment and walk about with them. They mean something more to me than that.

Some day if my young nephew and niece want to know about them, and they're ready to hear, I'll sit down with them and explain what they were won for. My hope is that it may serve to help them understand the cost of serving one's country. Then I will give the medals to them so they don't forget.

Again, just my own opinion--let dad decide what he wants to do.

[macwilkin]

It wasn't until I ended my service that I understood. I'm not telling anyone else what to do with medals they earned. But for me--the last thing I would want to do is to place them on a civilian garment and walk about with them. They mean something more to me than that.

I think there is some confusion here as to when medals and decorations are worn on mufti. In the UK and the Commonwealth, they are only worn on Remembrance Day, ANZAC Day, various regimental days, church parades and other appropriate events. I can't imagine why anyone would find fault with ex-servicemen displaying their medals on said days.

The late George McDonald Fraser has a wonderful epilouge in his memoir of his WWII service with the Border Regiment, Quartered Safe Out Here in which he discusses the 50th anniversary of WWII and the gathering of the "old and bold". His comments about wearing his gongs and how he heard a grandchild cheering for his grandfather on the march past that would move even the hardest heart.

Respectfully,

Todd

[Detroitpete]

I can't imagine why anyone would find fault with ex-servicemen displaying their medals on said days.

I hope my posted opinion didn't lead to the assumption that I think wearing medals/minis/ribbons for functions is wrong. It's just not something I would personally do. My main point is that I thought the original poster should allow the decision to be made by his father.

Respectfully,

-Mark

[macwilkin]

I hope my posted opinion didn't lead to the assumption that I think wearing medals/minis/ribbons for functions is wrong. It's just not something I would personally do. My main point is that I thought the original poster should allow the decision to be made by his father.

Respectfully,

-Mark

Mark,

No worries; I just wanted to clarifiy why medals and decorations are generally worn in Commonwealth nations on mufti.

T.