One of my best finds - WWI treasures

[kraigWY]

I dont know where she found it, but my step daughter gave me this 75 MM Shell. It was apparently made for C Co, 305th FS BN. 81 Div. (which is engraved on the shell).

Also it list on the other side, what I believe to be campaines, VOSGRESS-MTS, SOMMEDIUE, MEUSE, ARGONNE, VERDUN-----then NOV 11, 1918, AEF.

A few years later, I found this book at a garage sale in Indiana. It was written right after the war, a close up history of the Great War.

Of course I grabbed up the book, but it wasnt until I got home that I found it had a Crushed Poppy, inside. Making it priceless.

This is one of my prise positions, the combo, shell and book. It still tears me up when I go through the book. I just pray that one of my kids gets it, and understand what it means.
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[Bryan27]

Re: One of my best finds

That's some cool stuff. Forgive my ignorance, but what's up with the poppy?

 

[macthknife]

Re: One of my best finds

Very Cool book. I assume the poppy was someones personal memento from the war. That indeed makes it priceless.

 

[ALASKAPREDATOR]

Re: One of my best finds

From Wikipedia:

In Flanders Fields" is one of the most notable poems written during World War I, created in the form of a French rondeau. It has been called "the most popular poem" produced during that period.[1] Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote it on 3 May 1915 (see 1915 in poetry), after he witnessed the death of his friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, 22 years old, the day before. The poem was first published on 8 December of that year in the London-based magazine Punch.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Poppies grow readily in places where the soil has been violently disrupted such as a battlefield.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: One of my best finds

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">but what's up with the poppy?</div></div>

Flanders Field,..................you've never noticed the VFW selling Poppies on Veteran's Day?????????

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: One of my best finds

Kraig,

Touching history. Ensure their safety and condition.

Regarding other "Great War" memorabilia, do you want to start another thread for others to put stuff up as well? Or would you mind other things added here? Could be a great thread of things that most will never see otherwise.

I've a couple of small things, that were carried/made by two of my Great-Uncles whom were there.

Just not wanting to encroach on your thread.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: One of my best finds

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Or would you mind other things added here?</div></div>

Good ideal, I changed the Topic Title, lets go for it.

 

[hankpac]

Re: One of my best finds

Excellent find. The shell and the book together have much power, but the flower pressed between the pages is clearly a memento of a fallen loved one. Too bad their story is lost. Thank you for preserving this treasure.
As to another comment:
If you haven't bought a poppy from a VFW vet, I suggest you correct that serious omission in your life. I always give them a $5 for mine, but you can give what ever you feel is right. Life member of the VFW.
From the VFW site:
Buddy Poppy

Among all the flowers that evoke the memories and emotions of war is the red poppy, which became associated with war after the publication of a poem written by Col. John McCrae of Canada. The poem, "In Flander's Field," describes blowing red fields among the battleground of the fallen.

For more than 75 years, the VFW's Buddy Poppy program has raised millions of dollars in support of veterans' welfare and the well being of their dependents.

The VFW conducted its first poppy distribution before Memorial Day in 1922, becoming the first veterans' organization to organize a nationwide distribution. The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

It was during the 1923 encampment that the VFW decided that VFW Buddy Poppies be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for their work to provide them with some form of financial assistance. The plan was formally adopted during the VFW's 1923 encampment. The next year, disabled veterans at the Buddy Poppy factory in Pittsburgh assembled VFW Buddy Poppies. The designation "Buddy Poppy" was adopted at that time.

In February 1924, the VFW registered the name "Buddy Poppy" with the U.S. Patent Office. A certificate was issued on May 20, 1924, granting the VFW all trademark rights in the name of Buddy under the classification of artificial flowers. The VFW has made that trademark a guarantee that all poppies bearing that name and the VFW label are genuine products of the work of disabled and needy veterans. No other organization, firm or individual can legally use the name "Buddy" Poppy.

Today, VFW Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals.

The minimal assessment (cost of Buddy Poppies) to VFW units provides compensation to the veterans who assemble the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans' rehabilitation and service programs and partially supports the VFW National Home for orphans and widows of our nation's veterans.

 

[Bushmaster7]

Re: One of my best finds

Your shell, book and poppy are real treasures, be sure to pass them down to one of your children for sure. I have a coat full of medals and insignia from WWII that my father left me and is going to my USAF son when I am gone. Things like this are irreplaceable. thanks for sharing it.

 

[mexicanmatch]

Re: One of my best finds

Yes i thank you for sharing also. MM

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: One of my best finds

Ok, as I was referring to, here are a couple of items that my Great-Uncles made.

One "framed" his mirror in leather, and carried this in his ruck. He gave it to my Great-Aunt when he returned.

Here is a Letter Opener that the soldiers made out of spent shells and artillery brass. They crafted items like this after the war, while waiting to be shipped back home.

I will one day pass this on to my son, along with his Great-Grandfather's medals and other items that they brought back from WWII.

Family Heritage, it's important.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: One of my best finds

I have my grandfathers original hand written discharge from the Army after WW1. That's a keepsake for me.

 

[krink85]

Re: One of my best finds

I dont own it (yet) but my grandfather has my great grandfathers diary form when he spent 19 months in stalag luft 2. I was able to look though it at around age 12 and even though I was little it hit me what my great grandfather went through. One day I hope to be able to show it to my kids.

 

[Rookie]

Re: One of my best finds

My grandfather was an MP in the Marines between WWI and WWII. I still have his small wooden nightstick that he carried.