What do I do with military items from past family generations including medals, letters etc..?

LCpl Mark Lefler — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 11:33:31 -0500

My parents are dead, my aunts and uncles on that side of the family are dead. I have a lot of military stuff from my moms brother(Vietnam) and my moms cousin(Korea). This includes a purple heart. Letters from Vietnam etc.. It's interesting stuff, but it generally takes up space. Stuff could sit in my uncles sea trunk for generations that don't care about it. I don't know if there is some museum or historical society that would want it?

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2025 12:37 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 12:37:02 -0500

Look and see if there's a local military or Veterans Museum, or - one in the area that the relatives you mentioned are from. At ours, the curator will make a whole display about one person if they are local and there's a story to tell - like letters, etc. Or, those items can be part of a larger grouping on the Vietnam or Korean war.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Dec 23 at 2025 1:36 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 13:36:38 -0500

https://www.vietnam.ttu.edu/donors/materials.php

The Vietnam Center and Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive: Information for Donors

Information for people interested in donating materials to the Vietnam Archive

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Dec 23 at 2025 3:02 PM

PO3 Phyllis Maynard — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:02:53 -0500

LCpl Mark Lefler , COL Private RallyPoint Member and SP5 Peter Keane gave you the suggestions I would have given.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Dec 23 at 2025 11:09 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 23:09:35 -0500

The local VA Hospital, County Veterans Service Officer, or local VFW or American Legion.

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made Dec 24 at 2025 11:30 AM

SSgt Richard Kensinger — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 11:30:14 -0500

some donate them to a local military museum
rich