Coolest GI Souvenir Ever!

[Carson]

... be careful..... us Canucks are invading from the north too......

I do not want to even start going into politics or push forum guidelines. I do think the item Gary posted is simply awesome. Regardless of who owns it, we have no idea what it symbolizes to the individual and I would suggest that democratically, we have no right to try to interpret his mindset.

That would be like my neighbours "interpreting" my TR items.......

Both the lighter and the plaque are very neat items that speak to the period!

[Gary Wood]

My friend that owns the shield was not connected to any camp system he spent most of his time on the eastern front.

I know another tk vet that also lives here in the UK as well who was lucky enough to be taken prisoner by the British also, he later went on to serve within the British army

[Dr. Strangelove]

Well

Hmm.. the plaque would like nice in my Bunker and since it came from a TK Veteran I would hang it on the wall. Of course in a perfect World I would like to light my Cigar with Brad's lighter standing in front of the Plaque and tell some of the War Stories that my Old TK Veteran Buddy told me. Just a thought.

[bwanek1]

My friend that owns the shield was not connected to any camp system he spent most of his time on the eastern front.

Gary,

When and for what purpose was the shield made? Was it made by him personally?

Brad

[Carson]

When and for what purpose was the shield made? Was it made by him personally?

Does it matter? How can we read into someone else's mind and interpret the meaning of the item in question? As I mentioned before, that would be similar to my nieghbours "interpreting" the fact that I have Third Reich items in my house.

I sincerely believe we live in a democratic society due to the prices paid by ALL veterans. To delve into supposed "hidden agendas" is not what this item nor these forums are about.

As a WAF member, I feel fortunate to have viewed this plaque and the lighter. Nothing more, nothing less, no "hidden agendas"......

BTW, pleasure to meet you Brad and I apologize in advance if I read more into this than was intended. Take care.

[bwanek1]

Does it matter? How can we read into someone else's mind and interpret the meaning of the item in question? As I mentioned before, that would be similar to my nieghbours "interpreting" the fact that I have Third Reich items in my house.

I sincerely believe we live in a democratic society due to the prices paid by ALL veterans. To delve into supposed "hidden agendas" is not what this item nor these forums are about.

As a WAF member, I feel fortunate to have viewed this plaque and the lighter. Nothing more, nothing less, no "hidden agendas"......

BTW, pleasure to meet you Brad and I apologize in advance if I read more into this than was intended. Take care.

Yes, you absolutely read more into my question than was intended!

The nature of my question was simply to gain a better understanding of the history of such an unusual item, not to do a psychoanalysis on its owner.

I wanted to know: whether it may have been something which was made during the war or whether it was assembled post-war as a remembrance; whether the item was something he had made himself or whether it may have been a gift presented to him, possibly by his comrades; whether it was intended to be a personal item to hang in a home or private office along with other unit mementos or whether perhaps it once hung in an official building or office somewhere.

By the way, no "mind reading" is required here. Gary knows the guy and could just ask him if he doesn't already know.

[Gary Wood]

I wanted to know: whether it may have been something which was made during the war or whether it was assembled post-war as a remembrance; whether the item was something he had made himself or whether it may have been a gift presented to him, possibly by his comrades; whether it was intended to be a personal item to hang in a home or private office along with other unit mementos or whether perhaps it once hung in an official building or office somewhere.

By the way, no "mind reading" is required here. Gary knows the guy and could just ask him if he doesn't already know.

I have no idea, never asked him he has not said anything, although in a conversation once we got on about the last years of the war ect, he said we fought just as hard knowing the war was lost, not because of loyalty to the government and the state, but for the man next to you your mate your comrade your family

[Dr. Strangelove]

Objectivity

I have had the pleasure of meeting many Veterans of many Wars and discussing their combat experiences with them. No Veterans have impressed me like the Veterans of the Waffen SS. Truly hair raising stories of capture, escape and combat. One such Vet had 6 seperate entry/exit wounds. On speking with him he descibed some of the battles on the Eastern Front as "beautiful". I agree with the sentiment expressed by Gary about fighting for friends and family, but do not forget there is an element of Society that thrives on hardship and they like to fight for fightings sake. For thousands of years young Men have liked to prove themselves in combat and now is no different. For these types going through Life with no War would just be a dissapointment. The Veteran I mention above had 6 tank destruction strips.