What is the coolest trinket that you have ever "Liberated" from the trash while you were in the service?

CPL Rick Stasny — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 18:02:59 -0500

I aquired this following his change of command ceremony. No monetary value, but it is a one of a kind.

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Jan 29 at 2015 6:05 PM

MAJ David Vermillion — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 18:05:01 -0500

It means something to you. Great find!

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 4 at 2015 12:06 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 12:06:13 -0500

This is going to be a stretch, but I've been waiting to share this story, a true story, on RallyPoint and I don't expect there will be a better opportunity...

The coolest trinket that I ever liberated from the trash is a memory. That's right a memory of an experience at a dump.

When my tour of duty in Vietnam ended I was stationed as Special Services Officer at Tripler Army Medical Center. One of my additional duties was to supervise disposal of surplus and out-of-date medical supplies. This is how I happened to be at the dump on several occasions.

Since most medical supplies are controlled, I had to arrange for a pit to be dug in the landfill and a power shovel standing by to smash the trash as soon as it was all in the pit and then cover it over. (Narcotics had to be destroyed with great care since all were serial numbered and I certified each and every one of them destroyed. Woe to me if any turned up later.)

On this one occasion, the load included several gallon sized cans of petroleum jelly which, by chance, ended up on top of everything else in the pit. When the shovel operator dropped the scoop, one of the cans burst and its contents flew out of the pit and directly at my sergeant who had ill-advisedly opted to stand at the opposite end of the pit from the machinery.

There was silence following the dreadful sound of the goop hitting the poor man from head to toe.

The enlisted men scattered to laugh secretly in the bushes.

I held it as long as I could, then erupted.

Rank hath its privileges...

Response by MAJ Craig Clark made Feb 4 at 2015 1:57 PM

MAJ Craig Clark — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 13:57:27 -0500

A half eaten AFFES cheeseburger and a few fries out of a Dugway Proving Grounds flight line dumpster while waiting to board a C130 to jump during Ranger School. We were starving - might as well have been a bag of gold.

Bet you weren't expecting THAT to make the list.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 4 at 2015 8:29 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 20:29:02 -0500

2.75" training rocket. Spent TOW II tube, 30 round belt of 25mm training rounds still in the black shipping container. Lucky for them I'm honest......or scared of CID.

Response by SPC Charles Griffith made Feb 4 at 2015 8:54 PM

SPC Charles Griffith — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 20:54:55 -0500

I have the obligatory training grenades and a half a dozen P38 that were destined for the circle file but I think my favorite is a tankers bar that was tossed cause it was excess to the TO&E when we did Change of Command inventory.

Response by SSgt Everett Jones made Feb 4 at 2015 8:58 PM

SSgt Everett Jones — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 20:58:57 -0500

Well, if we're being honest. About 4 star clusters, about the same in parachute flares and smoke grenades, and a couple of CS grenades. The last 2 were REAL fun.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Feb 4 at 2015 9:01 PM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 21:01:51 -0500

I took an ESD wrist band from the trash while I was in so I could work on my computer. I had it for years.

When I applied to the police dept it came out on the polygraph and they made me return it before I went any farther.

Response by Cpl Christopher Sturdevant made Feb 4 at 2015 9:13 PM

Cpl Christopher Sturdevant — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 21:13:10 -0500

I found a small stuffed bear with a USA flag on it's chest. I glued a Bud Light beer cap on it and henceforth was named "Bud." Bud traveled on the rear view mirror with me in my truck while I drove in Afghanland. When we left, I took Bud with me and now he sits on my rear view in my car and goes wherever I go. However, he is a piss-poor guardian angel as he has been in 2 car accidents with me.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2015 10:54 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 22:54:12 -0500

That's awesome! I would love to find something like that.

Response by Sgt Michael Selbach made Feb 5 at 2015 12:22 AM

Sgt Michael Selbach — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 00:22:07 -0500

I found a London twist 1791 10 gauge Damascus twist shotgun with silver in lays as I was walking to work

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2015 1:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 13:33:57 -0500

You found a gun safe? That's epic!