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.

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.