Posted on Nov 16, 2018
SSG Raymond Tobin
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I've been out over a year now, and the nostalgia factor has set in. I'm looking to build my own shadow box; it seems like an awesome idea to display my time in the Army, as well as something to pass down to my children.

I've looked at a ton of them online and some include unit awards (see attached photo). I was planning on putting the patches and DUIs of the units I served in but wasn't sure of including unit awards. I would like to display them because of the historical value (one of my units was awarded a French fourragère in WWII) but do not want to appear as though I am taking credit for the awards. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has thought of this and wanted to get some other points of view before I start building my box. What is your opinion on this?

What items would you include? What would you leave out? Any other input on shadow boxes is also greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance.
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SGT Richard H.
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I think DUI are fine, as you served in those units, but I wouldn't carry forward any unit awards unless they were earned while you were a part of the unit. I've seen them done a lot better than mine, but here it is:
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SPC Chris Ison
SPC Chris Ison
>1 y
Why repeat the ribbons, while the medals are being displayed? Just asking.
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SGT Richard H.
SGT Richard H.
>1 y
SPC Chris Ison - No reason, really. Just because I had them and had space to fill. and I guess, partly because the two aren't worn at the same time and not all ribbons have corresponding medals.
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Brad Miller
Brad Miller
>1 y
SPC Chris Ison - I counted 11 ribbons and only 7 medals. Some ribbons don't have a "dangly bit", correct?
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SPC Chris Ison
SPC Chris Ison
>1 y
Brad Miller - All medals have a ribbon, but not all ribbons have a medal. In the Navy when one wears full medals, one also wears ones ribbons on the right side of the uniform.

the over seas service ribbon is a good example of a ribbon without a medal. As are NCO school ribbons, and the army service ribbon.

One never wears a medal ribbon and the medal at the same time; and that is why i inquired.

I am thinking of just putting my medals in the box, and keeping the ribbons for non medals like you would actually wear it on a uniform.
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SGT Joseph Gunderson
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This is how I set up my shadow box.
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LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay
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SGT Joseph Gunderson have not seen that approach before. Nice
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SGT Joseph Gunderson
SGT Joseph Gunderson
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LTC Jason Mackay neither had I which is why I kind of wanted to do it. I set up both my Army and JROTC uniforms in shadow boxes like that.
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Lt Col Jim Coe
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I've included two examples. Mine has the more modern medals, rank, etc. One change I would make to mine is to have the ranks progress from left (2 LT) to right (LTC) instead of right to left. The medals are in order of precedence with the highest on the left as you're looking at the box. The other stuff depends on what's important to you. Unit insignia may be important and should be included. Qualification and specialty badges should be included. The ribbon rack in important because it includes the ribbons for which there is no medal and helps to tell the entire story.

The second shadow box is one my son and I made from items that belonged to my Grandfather, who served in WW I. Only one medal, WWI Victory with France clasp. The book in the box is a diary he kept. We worked with what we had available and put together a fitting tribute and a way to preserve some family history.
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SSG Raymond Tobin
SSG Raymond Tobin
>1 y
That is very well thought out and an incredible display of family history. Absolutely unique and amazing.
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LTC Stephen C.
LTC Stephen C.
>1 y
Very nice, Lt Col Jim Coe.
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SPC Chris Ison
SPC Chris Ison
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Why repeat the ribbons, while the medals are being displayed? Just asking.
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What should be included in a shadow box?
SFC William Farrell
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Edited >1 y ago
Anything that is important to you SSG Raymond Tobin. I have my medals, patches, my MP badge, rank, Provost Marshal Customs ID from Fort Hood.
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LTC Stephen C.
LTC Stephen C.
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Right answer, SFC William Farrell!
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LCDR Chaplain Corps Officer
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I agree with SGT Richard H.. I wouldn't include any unit awards unless they were earned while you were a part of the unit. If you were still in the Army you would only wear the French fourragère as long as you were actually assigned to the unit. Once you transfer you would have to take it off.
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PVT Mark Zehner
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Ribbons, medals and rank are most common
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Sgt Field Radio Operator
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SSG Raymond Tobin My shadow box has my medals, Sergeant rank, Marine EGA, and name badge on one side. On the other side, I have my father's wings, name badge, and dog tags. My father was an Air Force Captain who served in WWII and Korea. He was killed when his plane crashed on a training mission. These items that belonged to my father mean a lot to me. You should put in your shadow box the items that are important to you.
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SSG Raymond Tobin
SSG Raymond Tobin
>1 y
Your father sounds like he was an amazing man. I'm glad you can honor his life in that way.
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Sgt Field Radio Operator
Sgt (Join to see)
>1 y
SSG Raymond Tobin - Thank you. I was seven when my father was killed, but from what I remember, he was indeed an amazing father.
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SGT Ameri Corps Member
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Today my Mom and I just left JoAnn's for just this purpose. I think you should put in uniform items that make you feel special. We chose to include dog tags to make her gift unique from the one that was made for me. Another thing that I thought would make it special was to add the blue patch with thirteen stars and unit crest from the beret. Borders around the pictures, whichever flavor of yourself you wish to memorialize, make them stand out a little better. I disagree about unit awards/citations, if they were part of your dress uniform once upon a time then why not include them? Of course that is personal preference, but just my thoughts.
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LTC Jason Mackay
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SSG Raymond Tobin I'd take what ever was important to you. Honoring previous units is one of the reasons why there are temporary wear unit awards and permanent wear. I don't see problem with having a unit by unit section with the DUI/SSI and the unit awards....except space in the shadow box. Great idea.

I am setting mine up to have it arrayed similar to how it was worn on the uniform. Left side nameplate, Regimental affiliation, MUC, CSIB. Right side CAB, my mounted ribbons. Under my ribbons I was going to put my OPFOR tape, the three OPFOR awards as worn and my Motorized Rifle Regiment red tabs and branches above it. Rank was going to be centered with the four branches I've served in (OD, Cavalry with 11 Regiment numerals, general staff, LG). I considered going full size medals across the bottom, but it's pricey. I originally wanted to ring the border with DUIs from previous units, also pricey to fill in the hand full of gaps.

I think your full size SSG rank on one side or both would look highspeed. I considered putting my shoulder boards from my ASU in there but they look Cheesey. Also I'd recommend taking a picture of the final product and numbering the items in it. Then take the numbers and put the name of each item. You could maybe take the citation from awards and include it. Slide that packet in a document protector and tape it to the back of the shadow box. Your family will appreciate it later and they can link what those strange objects are to what you did and where you were.
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SSG Raymond Tobin
SSG Raymond Tobin
>1 y
I love this idea! It give way more depth to the story and why I got the awards.
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LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay
>1 y
SSG Raymond Tobin - depending on how many units, you may want a separate box for that unit award tribute. My brother in laws has an attached folded flag compartment. We got a flags when We retired
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1SG Retired
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IMHO, the shadow box is your service.
It would give the appearance that you were taking credit for something you didn't earn.
That said, you could do a separate historical one that is dedicated to a unit.
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SSG Raymond Tobin
SSG Raymond Tobin
>1 y
That'd be great! Three separate boxes honoring each unit would be awesome and capture those memories I want to pass down.
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