What do you do with WWII bring back items?

[Karnivore]

My dad was a WWII photographer and in his travels he acquired many war souvenirs. He passed away about twenty years ago and left me his WWII collection. I have a P-38 with the holster and mags, over a hundred b&w photos ranging from Winston Churchill, to Battle of the Bugle, to the Nordhausen Concentration Camp along with all the atrocities. Also have many Nazi armbands and medals.

The main item I have is a Nazi banner that has been signed by about a hundred of my father's fellow soldiers. Each signed their name and hometown, some included the date. I also have a 1978 Jacksonville, Fl newspaper article that has a picture of my father displaying the banner along with many of the pictures he took. There is no doubt the banner is the real deal. I say this because I have been told that there are many fakes out there.

I feel that this banner is a one of a kind, the only one like it in the world and it was captured in a pivotal point in the history of the modern world. Maybe I think too much of it because it was brought home by my father? I do not know, but I also do not know what I should do with it one day before I go meet my maker. I have no male offspring or heirs of any kind, absolutely surrounded by females. They have no interest in the items. I do not want to sell them as I feel that would cheapen the memory of the story of my father's contribution to the war effort. Just cannot see selling the items and using the money to pay the electric bill.

I did go on the website for the WWII Museum in New Orleans and they do not take flags anymore. I also looked on some other museum sites and they sell items if they are not going to use them.

Do any of you have any ideas or maybe you have crossed this bridge before.

Any input is certainly welcome.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Perhaps call around to other museums, such as divisional and regional ones.

 

[Iggy]

Local VFW or American Legion?

 

[gordondewolf]

Might be hard to find places interested in accepting Nazi flags and banners. Have you thought about contacting a Veterans Of Foreign Wars (VFW) maybe in your father's hometown? They might be interested in putting those on permanent display. If you included a brief history of your Father and his service they may wish to display those items. I am sorry for your loss, and I'm sure your Father had some very interesting stories.

 

[walnutred]

Try this place:


Motts Military Museum, Inc.
5075 South Hamilton Rd.
Groveport, Ohio 43125-9336
[email protected]
Phone: (614) 836-1500

 

[the ringo kid]

My dad was a WWII photographer and in his travels he acquired many war souvenirs. He passed away about twenty years ago and left me his WWII collection. I have a P-38 with the holster and mags, over a hundred b&w photos ranging from Winston Churchill, to Battle of the Bugle, to the Nordhausen Concentration Camp along with all the atrocities. Also have many Nazi armbands and medals.

The main item I have is a Nazi banner that has been signed by about a hundred of my father's fellow soldiers. Each signed their name and hometown, some included the date. I also have a 1978 Jacksonville, Fl newspaper article that has a picture of my father displaying the banner along with many of the pictures he took. There is no doubt the banner is the real deal. I say this because I have been told that there are many fakes out there.

I feel that this banner is a one of a kind, the only one like it in the world and it was captured in a pivotal point in the history of the modern world. Maybe I think too much of it because it was brought home by my father? I do not know, but I also do not know what I should do with it one day before I go meet my maker. I have no male offspring or heirs of any kind, absolutely surrounded by females. They have no interest in the items. I do not want to sell them as I feel that would cheapen the memory of the story of my father's contribution to the war effort. Just cannot see selling the items and using the money to pay the electric bill.

I did go on the website for the WWII Museum in New Orleans and they do not take flags anymore. I also looked on some other museum sites and they sell items if they are not going to use them.

Do any of you have any ideas or maybe you have crossed this bridge before.

Any input is certainly welcome.

Unit signed captured nazi war flags are not rare. I see them for sale all the time on various militaria sites. that said--keep the items, sell them or give them to someone who will appreciate them and YOUR dads history. Signed flags like yours sell for several hundred dollars. The P-thirty eight seems to average about a grand at gun shows i go to. Photos are priceless items as seen through YOUR dads eyes ::if he took those photos?:::

 

[M E Morrison]

Local VFW or American Legion?

this was my second thought - museum was first.

 

[the ringo kid]

BTW, that flag has a hand-sewn circle--means its pre-war made and more desirable than the screen printed.

 

[bettis1]

Most Armies or Divisions maintain some sort of historical record of their actions in battle. I would contact your father's unit and see if those significant artifacts could be included. The fact that "real" individuals in those units who actually saw action there are represented should be a strong selling point.

I appreciate your father's service in that most important conflict and hope you can find a satisfactory location for his records.

Bob

 

[Ματθιας]

Sell them to a collector who'll appreciate the items and keep them together.

If you know what unit your dad was in perhaps you can contact them and find out if they would accept them as part of their history.

 

[walter o]

banner

friend has a pawn shop and loaned on a banner , anner was defaulted by the owner it was signed by 3Rd army personnel .The value is low ,most wanted are AUTOMOBILE flags and banners .How do you display a banner 49"x 14' . I think he is going to donate it to the PATTON museum. Banner was defaulted by the owner

 

[Watchdog]

Most Armies or Divisions maintain some sort of historical record of their actions in battle. I would contact your father's unit and see if those significant artifacts could be included. The fact that "real" individuals in those units who actually saw action there are represented should be a strong selling point.

Exactly. This would be my suggestion, too. An official display at unit HQ could be a priceless inspiration/motivation for future soldiers...and there's a lot of regimental pride among units. I'm sure they'd be interested in memorabilia that shows the unit's history. And your dad's photos would be valuable, especially if they showed actions and soldiers involved.

EDIT: Let me add this: The photographs alone would be priceless to me. Photographs will deteriorate over time, so unless you have the negatives, I'd give serious thought to scanning them and putting them on disk and a hard drive somewhere. You don't mention how many you have, but seriously, you don't want a record like that to just sort of fade away. Shoot, the Smithsonian might want them. And the Library of Congress has a huge collection of original photographs from every war going back to the Civil War, and possibly before. I'd explore those options before I'd give them to be displayed in some little VFW or American Legion hall.

 

[DeathGrip]

Most importantly, These things need to be kept together.

History is being lost everyday. Sadly.

We have the command of such things as the alphabet and now we have this interweb thing. Put this stuff on record.

Every little piece that hasn't been been separated should be recorded in history.

Your Dad was trying to record history. Plus bring a little home.

His photos might be one of a kind and quite telling.

But I feel every time a collection is broken up and sold we have lost more of history and the chance getting the straight story.

I remember playing with such artifacts/collectables when I was a kid in the sixties. Too bad they got lost and worn outplaying Army but we sure looked the part.

 

[OLDNAVYMCPO]

The 82nd Airborne has a very extensive collection of WWII artifacts and in particular, Nazi memorabilia. That would be a terrific repository for your collection, and you can be sure it will be well cared for and preserved. They are located at Ft. Bragg and the contact address can be Googled like everything else.

 

[okiegtrider]

I know a museum in N. Texas that I'm almost certain would be very pleased to have, preserve, and pay tribute to your Dad's service to the Country.

Still, I'd think one closer to your home would be just as glad to take care of these items for the future.

 

[erics]

Make a project out of it. See if you can track down anyone still alive that originally signed it and pass it on to them.

 

[M E Morrison]

Make a project out of it. See if you can track down anyone still alive that originally signed it and pass it on to them.

OK, but the downside of that is any survivors are up in years by now - and what will their heirs do with this stuff? Personally I'd find a good home for it myself - peace of mind, you know!

 

[Davwingman]

You might contact The Legion of Valor Museum in Fresno, Ca. They have very good displays & admission is free to all.

http://www.fresnovetsmuseum.com/

 

[e3mrk]

Did You try the Army?
They may like to have the Flag for Their Museum.

 

[Karnivore]

Thank you all for the replies. The military bases sound like great ideas.

I did check Fort Jackson where the 39th Regiment is based, but their museum is completely based on their training. Well OK then.

I have loaded some pics:

1- Winston Churchill inspection the 39th Regiment troops.
2- General Harry "Paddy" Flint
3&4- Murdered Jews and the townspeople of Nordhausen being forced to dig graves to bury them.
5- The last for the best. Nazi troops surrendering.

I hope I do not offend anyone by posting the pics.