[MRCA] Aberdeen After Action Report

[Mike Morrow]

Breck wrote:

> Great event. ..
>
> I've posted a few photos:
>
> http://k4che.com/Aberdeen2016/Aberdeen-2016.htm

Great presentation, Breck.  I found the two T-412/ART-13A units interesting...I've not seen much aircraft stuff at any mil vehicle collectors show I've ever attended.

I'll take a little contrary view about the US military medals being sold.  US military service medals are outstanding representations of the campaigns for which they were awarded...wonderfully invested in historical value.  Most who collect them do so to honor and commemorate the servicemen to whom they apply.  It is an attitude woefully absent from even the families of many servicemen.

Side Note:  I met a man at a recent military collector show who was asking about the RVN Vietnam Campaign Medal with "60 -" bar.  He had done some work at a woman's house and found a cigar box with Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service, and Vietnam Service medals in it.  The woman said they belonged to her uncle who had been killed in Vietnam.

A few days later the woman said nobody in the family wanted the medals of that forgotten 20-year-old unmarried boy who gave his life...the man could have the medals!

The man at the show, never in military service himself, recognized the shame of the situation, took them and was preparing a small display honoring the soldier that will be given to the county veterans museum.

I told the man that the medals he had were those sent to the family by the US military.  The soldier was definitely eligible for the RVN Vietnam Campaign medal and the RVN Cross of Gallery Unit Commendation, but because those were not US awards, they had to be purchased from a commercial source.

The man left the show after finding the two RVN awards, ready to finish his display.  I was just impressed that someone cared.  That young soldier's family did not!

Abuse of such medals by fake "heros" is exteremely rare.

I wish more people took interest to recognize what these awards mean.  Then they'd recognize that impressive rack of ribbons that includes the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medals, Meritorius Service Medal, Antarctica Service, Expeditionary Service, and Vietnam Service.

pretty damned impressive, Breck!  Thanks from an old Navy guy.

Mike / KK5F
Ex-LCDR, USN
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