Spent brass from the honor guard
Posted by QuirkyCharacter2739@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 18 comments
I’m needing some ideas on what to do with the spent brass from my father in laws funeral. We were thinking about a keychain or necklace but would hate for it to get lost or damaged. Any and all ideas are very much appreciated and any advice on how to keep the brass in good condition would also be appreciated. I’ve seen some things on Etsy for displays but my husband wants to preserve it to the best of our ability - TIA
tangoterry@reddit
They sell framed shadow boxes for the folded flag. The rounds could be incorporated in that.
QuirkyCharacter2739@reddit (OP)
I didn’t know if it would be considered disrespectful to have the casing in with the flag but I’ll have to do some more research. Thank you!
tangoterry@reddit
I met the carpenter through my local VFW and had my Father's box made. A rectangle box with 3 triangles inside. Flag in center, military medals and rank in the left triangles, St. Paul Police badge, patch and award bar in the right triangle. you can design anything, inlay the rounds into the wood frame. Find the old retired vet carpenter, he'd love to help you!
tangoterry@reddit
The greatest generation in one photograph!
PutridDropBear@reddit
A folded flag on top of 3 casings shadow box is the classic display for these types of requests
example
TheSensualSloth@reddit
Put them up on the mantle and enjoy them and what they represent (typically the branches core values).
We just used regular ol brass polish to shine em up, they’re just normal casings at the end of the day.
QuirkyCharacter2739@reddit (OP)
If we didn’t have cats we would. I’m worried about our cats knocking them off of the shelf we have the flag box on and it getting lost. Is it considered disrespectful to put it in the flag box? While they are just normal casings, they hold meaning to my husband.
TacTurtle@reddit
You can get a shadow box with a space for the cases, or inlay the cases into the perimeter of the box.
TheSensualSloth@reddit
Not disrespectful at all to put them in the shadow box with the flag. And I understand they have sentimental value, just saying care wise, you can clean them up with brass polish like a normal round
QuirkyCharacter2739@reddit (OP)
Ahh I see. My apologies I read your initial message the wrong way. Thank you so much! We will probably end up doing that until we can find a cool way to display it.
dreamweaver8060@reddit
There may be enough room in the shadow box to display them in with the flag. We had one made for my dad's with his name and dates on it. Also shows the branch he was in. There are all types of cases out there, just have to look around. I also have several that I have picked up at estate sales or flea markets that I display in my shop. Guess it's more like an Honor type thing for me tho.
Eckx@reddit
A lot of people put them in the shadowbox. They even make nice ones with a spot specifically for the casings if you wanted to go that route.
guynamedgoliath@reddit
I wouldn't make jewelry out of it, as the brass will tarnish pretty quickly.
moving0target@reddit
I have the one blank case they let us have (guess the Army was struggling for cash) in a little shadowbox meant for a baseball.
Rant
Seriously, why the hell would the US Army enforce a ban on civilians picking up brass at a funeral? The man spent 30 years and three wars in their organization.
/rant
DashMcGee@reddit
I have no idea, but I really respect what you are doing.
ardesofmiche@reddit
Shadow box for sure, make a display and put them in the shadow box
jerkstor@reddit
I bought a flag from a yard sale that was sealed in like a heavy duty plastic and sewn up it was apparently from the woman's father's funeral. She had it for $10 and I told her that I would give her $10 if she needed it if she could keep the flag insisted on selling it so I gave her 30. I heard something rattling around inside and curiosity got the best of me and there were three rounds that were wrapped in what looked like a special cardboard slip sort of like a pack of cigarettes but less structured in the middle of the flag after I unfurled it.
Eckx@reddit
Some people just don't care about the sentimental value of certain things.
My mom recently gave my brother the flag from my grandfather's funeral and he started crying. Me personally, while I would have taken care of something like that, it doesnt matter as much to me. He didnt own it or have anything to do with it other than the funeral, so it wasn't something I wanted that I felt would connect me to him. I would much rather have had something that he owned, or used on a daily basis, something I remember from my childhood.