What are some ideas for unique gifts for my Army Brat teenage boys?

MAJ Bill Whitman — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 12:58:58 -0500

I will be retired shortly and in planning my ceremony.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Feb 11 at 2016 1:20 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 13:20:35 -0500

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 2:10 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 14:10:06 -0500

Take them on a trip! Just you & the boys.. camping/fishing or snowboarding/skiing, etc. Something unique that they will definitely remember. I imagine that throughout your tenure, you may not have been able to spend a ton of time with them, so this might be something that they would prefer over a material item.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 3:49 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 15:49:52 -0500

Dresses??? JUST KIDDING, Major!!!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 11 at 2016 4:57 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 16:57:02 -0500

fish charter

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 11 at 2016 6:42 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 18:42:29 -0500

I'm in the give them your time category like 1LT Private RallyPoint Member. Kids are most affected by experiences, not things. Some are family traditions like we took our kids out to the beach house every summer. A week camping trip with dad, some fishing, plinking, beans and bad stories by the fire,... another memory.

Response by COL David Turk made Feb 12 at 2016 8:33 AM

COL David Turk — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 08:33:42 -0500

I like the "shared time" response best. Second is something related to your time in service that is compact enough to save but brings back a certain positive memory.
For me, I gave each one of my sons one of my 1970's "fatigue" field jackets with patches and name strip still on. I kept a set of pressed "OG's" for myself.

Response by SGM Robin Johnson made Feb 18 at 2016 3:40 PM

SGM Robin Johnson — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 15:40:17 -0500

Your sons probably traveled with you during your military career. Our kids move all over, a life we take for granted and for which we have memorabilia. They will grow up with memories, but not the memorabilia. One way to recognize their support (since it is customary to hand family members some token at the ceremony) would be a plaque or other memento which represents all the places they have lived. You know - "To the Son of a Soldier - in recognition of the fact that you also served and sacrificed." or " Joe Whitman - MVP on MAJ Bill Whitman's Support Team" Then list all the places he lived and the dates, maybe with a picture or greeting in the language or local dialect (eg., Guten Tag, Anyong Ha Seyo, Howdy, Good Morning, G'Day...). A nice line thanking them for your support at the end and they will have something they can cherish and display always; it might even mean more later in their lives than immediately.