Veterans: How long do you keep your "stuff?"

[Martinjmpr]

In case you haven't seen the Private party for sale area, I'm going through some personal "de-cluttering" and getting rid of a lot of things (I have about 7 guns for sale.)

No reason, really, except that as I look around and see lots of clutter and "stuff", I realize that I value SPACE more than I value "stuff" anymore.

Which brings me to a question: Like many of us who served, I have a footlocker and a duffel bag full of excess/surplus "stuff." 3 sets of BDU/DCU uniforms, some field gear (butt pack, wet weather jacket and trousers, a set of "night-desert" camo uniforms) and a PASGT protective vest (the old "flak vest" not the newer OTV body armor.)

Just a general question, but do you guys hang onto this stuff? I don't have any kids to pass this on to. I don't think anybody would be interested in the uniforms or most of the field gear.

I've had the stuff packed in a footlocker for almost 15 years now. Seems silly to keep it around. But it's hard to get rid of, too.

I kept a dress uniform (which oddly seems to be shrinking around the waist...) but I can't think of any "good"reasons to keep my old BDU/DCU uniforms. Are there any good reasons?

I'm a member of a Militaria collecting forum, I'm thinking of offering everything up there to a local collector for a nominal sum just to get rid of it.

What does the group think?

EDITED TO ADD: The one thing I didn't hesitate to keep were the boots. Combat boots are great motorcycle riding boots!

[TEAMRICO]

I could redeploy back to Desert Storm in a pinch if I needed to.

[ray1970]

First, let me say I am not a veteran so take this for what it?s worth.

My mother told me something years ago that sort of pertains. She said stuff is just stuff. People hang on to stuff because of the memories attached to the stuff but ultimately you don?t need the stuff to keep the memories.

In the end, no matter how much stuff you have you can?t take it with you and getting rid of stuff you don?t or won?t have any real use for isn?t going to change who you are or where you?ve been or what you?ve done.

[fj605]

I never served so take this with a large grain of salt:

I've spent my career in oil and gas and have kept a hardhat from each company I've worked for. There's no good reason other than to be able to look at them and remember some of the people/projects/stories.

You said you don't have kids but what about nieces and nephews that might get a kick out of seeing your old gear?

[Rucker61]

I didn't keep any uniforms, but I do have a box full of buttons, ribbons and other accouterments.

[.455_Hunter]

I have kept all of my gear, in fact using my pistol belt, M82 holster and mag pouch for open carry of my 92 Brigadier in the evenings at the house during this COVID scenario, plus hanging of the bed post at night. My PASGT vest is also next to the bed.

I have a couple of tubs containing starched and pressed BDUs and other field equipment. My Class A and Blues are hanging in the closet. I cherish the equipment I have from my Grandfather in the WWI AEF, so keeping my stuff seems natural.

[brutal]

I only have a BDU field jacket hanging in the garage with the Big Red 1 still on it. I used to have an OD green field jacket I don't even know where it could be. A couple duffel bags, one waterproof, I keep camping gear in.

I ETS early 88 (terminal leave) and didn't have much then anyway. None of it fits after 33 years... I think my dress jacket is a 38 and I now wear a 52. I'm twice the man I once was. [fail]

I have a plaque inscribed with my name, unit, dates served with a rank patch, a Signal corp brass, and the Big Red 1 patch to hang on a wall and that's about it besides my 2 Honorable Discharge certificates.

[Hoser]

About the only thing I have hung on to all these years is a few of my medals and original wings. Most everything else is just clutter.

[JohnnyDrama]

I guess I traveled light. I was discharged in 92. I've hauled my seabag pretty much untouched to my different residences since then. Maybe if it took up more space I'd be more inclined to get rid of it.

[Fentonite]

I kept mine for quite a while, at least 15 years. The boots were some of the last to go, but got too small for me, even removing the footbed (50 year old feet are bigger than 19 year old feet, I guess). Still have an ID card, dog tags, a couple Eagle Globe and Anchor lapel insignias, and of course my woobie.

[zteknik]

I think all my nieces and nephews have more of my stuff then I ever did. I do keep a bunch of stuff useful for camping and shooting though.

[The Rat]

I still have my stuff, but most of it doesn't get used. ACUs are used if I have house painting to do, since I don't care if they get paint all over them. Hell it can improve how they look.

Boonie hat gets used when hiking too, cause it's good sun protection.

[Bailey Guns]

Military stuff and cop stuff...pretty much all gone except for a few mementos. I have a small box of plaques and awards and a small box of patches, badges, medals, ribbons and such. On the other hand, I have every single letter, picture, patch, etc...that my son (AF MSgt) ever sent me. I treasure that stuff far more than my own.

[Irving]

Without reading the thread, I think it'd be good keeping a small box of paper work for later generations that might care. I'd love to have more info on my grand parents for example.

[Great-Kazoo]

copy and original of DD214 and actual Honorable Discharge cert, that's it. Oh and my boot yearbook.

[FoxtArt]

If you have memories associated with some of the stuff take a photo, then sell it. That's the root of why we usually hold onto stuff. If your somewhat PC savvy, organized folders on your computer (backed up) are great. Then you could even get around to writing any valuable memories down and sticking them with the photos, sharing to nieces and nephews. For some, that could have a lot of value even if they aren't your kids. But if you keep just the stuff, the second you either forget the stories or pass away, it loses all attachment and just eats space in the meantime.

I've done a lot of digging on various uncle's great uncle's, great greats, etc. Most of the info is lost to time and their stuff is lost after a generation. The people that may be remembered forever are the ones that had someone write it down. One of my favorites is a WW one vet, who had a 12yo developmental level after scarlet fever as a child. He was a stable hand in a Calvary unit, a matter of pride he clung to until passing away in a shanty on a riverbank in his seventies. Stories don't have to be Hollywood action to be valued.

At any rate, just a different perspective. It seems everyone backs you up on "space is valuable".

[thedave1164]

hmm, still have the memories and nightmares, was tempted to lose my sea bag in a boating accident or rather drop it in the water as I crossed the brow for the last time.

Got rid of it pretty quick, I was out, no reserve time and I wasn't going back.

had my ribbons/medals for a while, but not sure where they are now, DD214 is recorded with the Linn County Clerk and Recorder in Oregon

have one dog tag and a name plate from my last ship on my key ring.

[Bailey Guns]

Slightly off topic, but interesting...

I bought an old wooden box at an antique store last summer in Lewiston. It was marked as having contained grenades. Had a pile of misc crap in it that I never looked thru until just a few weeks ago. When I finally made time to look thru it, I found a post card dated April 1909. It was in remarkably good condition. It was sent from "SBM" in Gunnison, CO and addressed to "Miss PE Millick" in Chilly, ID. I searched online and found a guy in Challis, ID with the same last name that owned a title company there. Chilly, ID had a post office from the early 1900s until about 1958. It's just a spot on a map now in Custer County near Challis. I spoke to a receptionist and told her what I'd found. She seemed excited and said she'd let the guy know as soon as he was done with a closing. He never got in touch with me.

I would love to have a piece of information historically significant to my family like that and was really disappointed no one reached out to me. It has to be the same family. Can't be that many people in Challis, ID with that name. But, the point is, things like that just aren't important to some people. I'm gonna hang on to it.

This is what I found:

https://i.imgur.com/wMtW4gm.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Bt5hVik.jpg

[CS1983]

I still have all pics, documents, awards, etc.

I only kept 1 or 2 sets of DCUs. ACUs got given away like the trash that they are. Sold my Blues that I was issued when I got stuck on recruiting duty.

Everything pretty much fits in a single footlocker, so it hasn't exactly been in the way.

[Marine24]

Is there a place where this stuff can be donated outside of Goodwill? I have stuff in a Seabag, hanging in the closet, old woodlands, Marpat woodland and desert cammies and old chocolate chips cammies as well. Was planning on getting buried in Evening dress but opted for cremation, so that is a waste. It is out of sight sitting in a closet in the basement but prefer to get rid of this stuff and spare my son having to deal with it.

[Hummer]

I still have an Army dress coat that my uncle wore in WWII. He served in the air corps in India.

[SideShow Bob]

Well,
After 30+ years, I still have a couple fatigue shirts for working on cars. And I still have the class A rain coat and a set of over sized (when I got out) mechanic’s coveralls. I fill have most all of the brass from my class A’s & kakis. All the rest have been given or thrown away. Except the fatigue jacket which I wore to a holes and ripped rag which I finally threw away a couple of years ago.

[TheGrey]

I still have my BDUs. I donated my dress blues to my hometown's museum. Ribbons, awards and trinkets are living in a small box. A great deal of paperwork has been purged. I wore my boots down to nubs; about 12 years after I got out, they gave up the ghost. I've still got my jump boots, although I couldn't tell you why. I think I am loathe to give up on them.

My rule of thumb is to keep things that make me happy- if I am undecided, stuff it in a box and revisit it in a month or so.

Scan the 'important' papers.

[brutal]

If anyone needs copies of records, start here: https://www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records/

That said, what I received (sans VA records I did not request) were pretty incomplete. No copies of any change of duty/station orders. Mostly enlistment re-up, training, awards and discharge stuff.

[MED]

I'll give a family member's perspective. My father was a WW2 vet. His uniforms, medals, etc. were lost over the years. He turned his issued 1911 over to the police department because he didn't want it which really sucks. A Japanese sword and some other artifacts were lost. I have his discharge papers, his private photo, and his burial flag. I really wished I had some more of it. My son is a marine; I'm sure he would like it too.