What do you think of displaying military awards at work or on holidays?

Lately, I have a much nicer work space and have begun to decorate it. First I started with family photo's, diplomas, kids gifts, etc. Then, since I had a lot of room, I decided to dig out all the plaques, medals, mementos, coins, awards, and certificates I got during my military service. There are quite a few since I was in for nine years total, served in the post color guard at Redstone Arsenal for two years of it, and served in Desert Shield/Storm as an Artilleryman in the Fire Direction Center. My wife seems somewhat apalled by all this. She is under the impression that "Only old men display veteran stuff." and that it looks boastful.

What is everyone's opinion on this? What about displaying your medals on holidays such as Veterans day, the fourth, and Memorial day? The VA is sending out pamphlets trying to get veterans to do this.

I also wonder why my wife seems slightly uncomfortable with this.

I say PUT THEM UP! You served our country and were awarded medals for it. I'm sure those medals are well-earned and should be displayed wherever possible.

I don't think there is a thing wrong with it. Display them with pride!! :smiley20: I served in the Navy for several years and have the attendant ribbons, etc.....I keep them in my home office, but they are on display.

My office at work has photo's of my family on the walls, and the top of the credenza behind my desk is covered with cigar boxes and fake greenery.

my bad

I think its a cool idea. I always thought shadowboxes looked pretty kick ass, and they make a nice display that would certainly be appropriate for home or office. I imagine your wife's problem is that she thinks it looks tacky, a shadowbox might be a solution.

A couple of years ago I gave my dad a flagpole for his birthday, I wish I hadn't because he puts all sorts of weird shit on it like Bonnie Blue and "Club Gitmo" flags and I'm sure everyone in the neighborhood thinks they are a bunch of weirdos.

I don't think there is anything wrong with being proud of your achievements and displaying them.

You earned them. There is absolutely nothing wrong with showing them off.

I think it's a great idea. I certainly appreciate your service. It sounds like its something you want to do, and you should be very proud.

Talk to your wife and see if/why she is uncomfortable.

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Originally Posted by Shelby07

I think it's a great idea. I certainly appreciate your service. It sounds like its something you want to do, and you should be very proud.

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+1:smiley20:

Not that I'm trying to be a spoiled sport or anything - I've struggled with the same thoughts about hanging my stuff at work as well. I hate to leave the stuff in boxes, but... Momma said she's always worried they may be stolen, and she really wants to make sure my kids get my goodies..

I say hang a scant few of your nicest prizes. Much more than that always seemed to me to be a bit audacious - even when I saw it in an office where it was part of the decor. Most times I like to hang things that have a great or funny story behind them. I find it sparks some great conversations.

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Originally Posted by ggiese

Not that I'm trying to be a spoiled sport or anything - I've struggled with the same thoughts about hanging my stuff at work as well. I hate to leave the stuff in boxes, but... Momma said she's always worried they may be stolen, and she really wants to make sure my kids get my goodies..

I say hang a scant few of your nicest prizes. Much more than that always seemed to me to be a bit audacious - even when I saw it in an office where it was part of the decor. Most times I like to hang things that have a great or funny story behind them. I find it sparks some great conversations.

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Good point. The wife may just feel it won't fit into the decor. I'm sure she is proud of your accomplishments.

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Originally Posted by ggiese

Not that I'm trying to be a spoiled sport or anything - I've struggled with the same thoughts about hanging my stuff at work as well. I hate to leave the stuff in boxes, but... Momma said she's always worried they may be stolen, and she really wants to make sure my kids get my goodies..

I say hang a scant few of your nicest prizes. Much more than that always seemed to me to be a bit audacious - even when I saw it in an office where it was part of the decor. Most times I like to hang things that have a great or funny story behind them. I find it sparks some great conversations.

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This shouldn't be a worry for two reasons:
1) What kind of lowlife would steal a military service award!? OK nevermind - on to reason two
2) After someone has passed, these awards can be reissued to the next of kin. Veterans affairs can point you in the right direction, but you'll need a death certificate, birth certificate (of the person requesting), and your DD214 (which the VA can also help the next of kin aquire).

Don't let some scumbag theif deter you from displaying your awards - you earned em!

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Originally Posted by rball5

This shouldn't be a worry for two reasons:
1) What kind of lowlife would steal a military service award!? OK nevermind - on to reason two
2) After someone has passed, these awards can be reissued to the next of kin. Veterans affairs can point you in the right direction, but you'll need a death certificate, birth certificate (of the person requesting), and your DD214 (which the VA can also help the next of kin aquire).

Don't let some scumbag theif deter you from displaying your awards - you earned em!

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I've got some things that are definitely irreplaceable and a pretty big temptation.

It sucks I can't leave them out - but she makes a good point. I'd much rather my kids get the goodies than a scumbag... :smiley2:

Certificates and medals are somewhat replaceable. Plaques and challenge coins are not easily replaced since they are usually custom jobs. Problem is, they just don't seem to do any good packed away in a box. If you don't drive a car, there's no chance of wrecking it, but why own the car?

She doesn't feel comfortable with the attention displayed military awards draw, finds them a bit gaudy, and relates veteran stuff with old people. That's all.

For a long time, pride in military service was completely dead. It's just now starting to return, but some are of an older mindset. Leftovers from the Vietnam era anti-war sentiment I think.

I would display what your comfortable with displaying. Some of the more important awards and medals, Id probably leave displayed at home.

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Originally Posted by Mizicke5273

I would display what your comfortable with displaying. Some of the more important awards and medals, Id probably leave displayed at home.

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So I'm guessing you're still comfortable with that sig tag you're displaying? :smiley36: :smiley36:

You might consider Printing off some pictures and hanging those up instead of the real thing.

The worst thing you can do is display political stuff. The second worst is your hero wall. Mine is as impressive as most, but I've found in 20 years of Dilbert zone, the military stuff takes away more than it contributes. We contributed, and we're a minority. Of those who didn't server, some could not, but far more than you know would not - I call em "Melvins". Even the Melvins who are grateful don't want their noses rubbed in it. More likely than not, Melvin is your boss.

I keep a USS Robert E Lee coffee cup on the shelf above my desk. I wear a miniature pair of submarine dolphins on my collar once a year.

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Originally Posted by NullSmurf

The worst thing you can do is display political stuff. The second worst is your hero wall. Mine is as impressive as most, but I've found in 20 years of Dilbert zone, the military stuff takes away more than it contributes. We contributed, and we're a minority. Of those who didn't server, some could not, but far more than you know would not - I call em "Melvins". Even the Melvins who are grateful don't want their noses rubbed in it. More likely than not, Melvin is your boss.

I keep a USS Robert E Lee coffee cup on the shelf above my desk. I wear a miniature pair of submarine dolphins on my collar once a year.

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A very interesting take on things. It's sad that pride in military service has declined so. I worked here for quite a few years before putting anything but my pen holder plaque up, just in case. I figured that, plus finishing my degree, would reinforce the idea that I'm ready for a leadership position now that the Manager has been promoted to AVP. So far, I've had a pretty good response to the display. My bosses refer to it as "The War Museum". They're pretty good guys, so I'm lucky I guess. Reading about the "Veterans Pride Initiative" from the VA is what got me going on it.

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Originally Posted by Kenyth

A very interesting take on things. It's sad that pride in military service has declined so. I worked here for quite a few years before putting anything but my pen holder plaque up, just in case. I figured that, plus finishing my degree, would reinforce the idea that I'm ready for a leadership position now that the Manager has been promoted to AVP. So far, I've had a pretty good response to the display. My bosses refer to it as "The War Museum". They're pretty good guys, so I'm lucky I guess. Reading about the "Veterans Pride Initiative" from the VA is what got me going on it.

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I very much agree with what Bruce said. Seriously - you don't need to display your wares in order to be recognized. Those "things" you have in your possession were little reminders of the good things you were doing while you served - what you did to earn them is truly what should be on display. Do not display them because you want a promotion - instead, display the abilities you've learned on a day to day basis and be grateful the military taught you the kinds of things that set you apart from others.

Display your momentos because they mean something to you. You should look at them every day and be inspired by what it took to earn them. No one but you truly knows what you sacrificed - and you'll never be able to fully explain it with words.

I agree with GG. I work in an environment that would promote and cherish all the sacrifice anyone did serving in the military. But the one guy in the place that has his space full up with military things award etc he is somewhat talked about as obsessed with it. "military come first and he tries to fix his job in there somewhere." That just takes off because a person in his dept is irritated with it all and begins to gossip. The office is better decorated in tune with the rest of the environment you work around, with some stress free personal accents. I personally like to post the agency's mission statement to leave that team spirit effect. Good Luck in what ever you choose!:smiley27:

I've got up a combination of things. Family photos, Notre Dame stuff, challenge coins, technical certifications, and my medal certificates, plus a few small interesting gulf war trinkets. Maybe it's time to stop huh? I have enough cerificates of acheivement to fill the walls if I wanted to. If you volunteer for special duties, you tend to get a lot of them. Anyone who's been in can relate to this I'm sure.

I think maybe, in the future, a shadow box would be the best answer. It's much smaller than the certificates. It's just that those things are so expensive to put together if you buy all new sta-brite quality stuff to go in them. I guess I could put one together with my existing medals. That would shave quite a bit off the price.

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Originally Posted by Kenyth

I've got up a combination of things. Family photos, Notre Dame stuff, challenge coins, technical certifications, and my medal certificates, plus a few small interesting gulf war trinkets. Maybe it's time to stop huh? I have enough cerificates of acheivement to fill the walls if I wanted to. If you volunteer for special duties, you tend to get a lot of them. Anyone who's been in can relate to this I'm sure.

I think maybe, in the future, a shadow box would be the best answer. It's much smaller than the certificates. It's just that those things are so expensive to put together if you buy all new sta-brite quality stuff to go in them. I guess I could put one together with my existing medals. That would shave quite a bit off the price.

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Answer this question: who is it for? If the memorabilia is for you, chose the one (military) item that means the most to you. For me, its the coffee cup. If the answer is that you want others to see what you've accomplished, I'd say the shadow box. I recommend you keep any other decorations relative to your alma mater and to work. Whatever your choice, keep it modest. Cinda's post above is an extreme example of what I'm cautioning about.

One unit I served with is instantly recognizable. I found that people tended to pre-judge me based on that service. I prefer to let folks figure out who I am all by themselves, so I rarely speak of it. I've been with my current employer for 10 years and I doubt anyone knows.

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Originally Posted by ashauler

So I'm guessing you're still comfortable with that sig tag you're displaying? :smiley36: :smiley36:

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Hey man, being comfortable, lazy, and not having any ideas are three different things.:smiley2: