Posted on May 1, 2016
What are some of the more unique, not the "normal" Retirement gifts you have seen?
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We've all seen the traditional shadow boxes, flags etc that are given as Retirment gifts. What other unique things has anyone seen? I'll start with mine. Had my Retirement ceremony last week. The whole unit chipped in and bought me a 1911. Actually brought a tear to my eye.
Posted in these groups: Retirement Soldiers
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 14
I gave my brother something that was unique for a retirement ceremony. It was part tradition, and part really personal.
So, a lot of people know about the silver dollar tradition for a first salute. I happened to be commissioned the night I walked off a plane after a year in Iraq. It was 0300, I had just got off the plane, and I didn't have a silver dollar. As part of the "welcome home" ceremony we had before they released us to go with our families, they kept my battalion and pinned a nice new 2LT bar on me and my brother, who was in the Air Force, was my first salute.
Fast forward a few years, when my brother was retiring, he asked if I would officiate his retirement ceremony. Of course, I agreed. As a Captain at the time, I knew I had never gotten him that silver dollar. So, I went out, got him a really nice, really old silver dollar and surprised him with it at his retirement ceremony. I doubt too many people got a dollar that they were owed from years before that was actually worth several hundred dollars when they retired.
So, a lot of people know about the silver dollar tradition for a first salute. I happened to be commissioned the night I walked off a plane after a year in Iraq. It was 0300, I had just got off the plane, and I didn't have a silver dollar. As part of the "welcome home" ceremony we had before they released us to go with our families, they kept my battalion and pinned a nice new 2LT bar on me and my brother, who was in the Air Force, was my first salute.
Fast forward a few years, when my brother was retiring, he asked if I would officiate his retirement ceremony. Of course, I agreed. As a Captain at the time, I knew I had never gotten him that silver dollar. So, I went out, got him a really nice, really old silver dollar and surprised him with it at his retirement ceremony. I doubt too many people got a dollar that they were owed from years before that was actually worth several hundred dollars when they retired.
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Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Awesome - My retirement gift was a set of golf clubs. I can't wait to see other retirement gifts from others on RP.
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SP5 Mark Kuzinski
8 y
Sane here SFC (Join to see) - Like I said, I'm looking forward to see what others post.
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Posted 8 y ago
I got this at my retirement....it is numbered (don't remember the number, but pretty low). I REALLY like it...ties in my Army Medic years, AF Years, and I feel represents my deployments to Desert Shield/Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan!
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