Old Navy Themed Large Shadowbox Keepsake/Shrine-About Face Designs-Military

Description

Old Navy Themed Large Shadowbox Keepsake/Shrine-About Face Designs-Military. Condition is "Used". Shipped with USPS Priority Mail. The piece is handmade and hand painted, and is in EXCELLENT CONDITION:
My Grandfather was born in 1917, and served in the US Navy, during WWII. His skill and bravery earned him two Purple Hearts, and a bronze star. Once he returned to his family in the States, he became a Grand Master at his local Masonic Lodge, and ran into some of the men he had led, during the war. One had a pool table, so they started to get together at his house to have a few drinks, shoot pool, and talk about the things they had all been through in wartime. Sometimes, he would take me with him, because I loved to listen to them tell their stories! This Shadowbox was given to him, during that time, by the men he had fought alongside. I guess they thought I was too young to pay attention to their stories, and soon grew comfortable talking with me around. One day I overheard a story about my Grandfather's bravery that ended up upsetting us both.
You see, my Grandfather was in the woods, and he was evacuating the camp where they were stationed, because the Germans had won a few battles, and were rapidly advancing toward them. They were moving pretty fast, hoping to avoid an open battle. They had packed up so quickly that my Grandfathers pack was too tight, and it was chafing him. Fearful for his men, he told them to keep moving while he stopped to adjust it, and he would catch up. Just as he re-shouldered it and began to hurry so he could catch up with them, a German soldier stepped into the clearing and they drew down on each other! My Grandfather had no choice, but to fight for his life, and he happened to be the one who pulled the trigger fastest. He was 20 years old, and he said the man he had to shoot looked younger than that. This was the first human life he was ever forced to take and it haunted him for the rest of his life. I knew I had heard what they said, but I just couldn't imagine my Granddaddy killing anyone. After all, he was a veteran and a decorated hero! I asked him about it when we got home, and he took me into his study and told me to sit down. He went to his desk and picked up a small German field ashtray and put it into my small hands. He gave a heavy sigh and told me that, back then, the entire world was at war for the second time. He explained that war is a terrible thing, but a very bad man was hurting people, so he had to go overseas and help them. This man's name was Hitler, and he hurt too many innocent people, so our country had to try and help stop him. He told me that there are two sides in war, and you just had to go, and hope and pray that you were on the right side. He pointed to the field ashtray in my hands and told me that when the man had hit the ground, after he shot him, this had rolled out of his pocket. The experience affected him so deeply that he picked it up, and it was still on his desk all those years later, to help him remember that each and every life is precious, and if the man had been faster, his Granddaughter might be looking at something of my Grandfather's on his desk. I will never forget that story...
Like him, I kept this shadowbox in my home, for many years after he died. I live in an area now, with a heavy military presence and many veterans, so I have decided to try and pass this piece on to someone who might have also been there, or fought for the US Navy in some other place. This piece from his men hung in his study for the rest of his life...then it came to me. While his truly personnel things mean a great deal to me, he died in 1980, and I think it is time to pass i this particular piece on to another soldier. Someone who can fully appreciate everything it stand for...
There is a yellowing certificate taped to the back of the piece which says: "Certificate of Authenticity. The Window Pane Curio Collection, Navy Model #1824-46, Production #137 is an authentic compilation of memorabilia in miniature that creatively recalls a favorite time, a wonderful place, a magnificent experience, with vivid realism and warm nostalgia. Each item in the Curio Vignette is hand crafted from an original, and meticulously hand painted, then individually placed to express a memorable moment, viewed through the window pane of time. By About Face Designs Inc."
The piece is very well made of sturdy pine with ten metal hinges, including four corner hinges, holding the shadowbox in place with screws. The shadowbox is 27 inches tall, 12 inches wide, and 4 1/2 inches deep. It contains a Seaman's uniform, complete with hat, an American flag, detailed rifle and bayonet, United States Navy insignia on a medallion and a miniature recruiting poster.