Question for Vietnam Veterans, please.........

[Rockholm]

Last year I moved into a new home. The previous owner had his only son killed in Vietnam. When we toured the house, there was a shrine to his son in an alcove. Photos, declarations from government officials regarding his death in service. It was very moving, how much this frail old man loved his son.
The owner passed away prior to us moving into the house and since he was alone in the world (having his wife pass way years earlier) the house was emptied and cleaned out by people from his church.
NOW HERE IS MY QUESTION: Two weeks ago, while crawling around in the attic, I found a few boxes that were never removed. One of the boxes contained his son's purple heart, bronze star, another medal and declarations of the medals and letters of acknowledgement from city leaders and from this man's schools honoring him.
What do I do with these medals? Is there a place I can donate them? My town's local library? A Vietman Veterans group?
The man who died had a 95 year old sister in Georgia and a nephew in Georgia as well. I truly disliked them based on our experience with the sale of the house, so I am loathe to call them (although I probably should).
Suggestions please.

[Catch22Dem]

1. Have you considered going to the wall

You could find the man's name, and leave his items there. The caretakers of the monument would then see that they're stored away properly.

[luaneryder]

5. As a vet I would go with the wall.

Although the items left are removed regularly they are indeed archived.

[gonefishing]

2. To forgive is divine

Buying/selling a house is an ugly business and sometimes normal people become real jerks during the process. I am not a veteran, however, I would do the right thing and send the family the stuff.

[SoDesuKa]

3. Ask the V.F.W.

There's bound to be a local chapter of the VFW where you live. Someone will mount the medals and display them in memory of the soldier.

[Stew225]

4. If you could get their address you could just

ship the stuff to them with a short note.

[goju]

6. Just call

Make yourself feel better and show respect for the soldier. Ask yourself whe HE would want.

[Suzi Creamcheese]

7. Ask your lawyer to handle it

Or even the real estate agent if you don't want to get involved with the remaining family. They will probably mail the medals to the seller's remaining relatives at little or no cost and you won't have to deal with the relatives.

[DustMolecule]

8. How about a Combination

How about call/write the relatives saying you found the stuff and ask if it would be okay for you to give the artifacts to the Vietnam wall to be archived (that way you will know it will get done).

It's really sweet that you're taking the time to care about the former owner and his son's memory. Good on ya! :-)

[yelladawg]

9. Thanks for caring

Thank you for your kind consideration. Give them to the local DAV, VFW, they should take care of the medals. If not mail them to me and I'll take them to the wall in DC.

[Not Me]

10. That's very considerate of you...

A freeper would put them up on eBay where Rove could buy them for bush* to wear.

[lottie244]

11. You slay me.....

But I appreciate the original poster's caring. I would simply box them up and send them to the family. If they are 95 and no one else is around, i would take them to the Wall also.

[vetwife]

12. Is this in Georgia? I got a suggestion....

There is a wall of soldiers, etc at the VA Medical Center in Decatur.
The wall in Washington is an excellent idea except for the fact someone make walk off with them. If you cannot find the family. Please take them to the State Veterans Office or the VA Hospital. They will be displayed and handled properly at the State VA. The VFW or other local organizations would handle them with honor but if he was not a member, they may not treat his medals with the care they deserve. I would also ask the courthouse where he lived if they had a wall for veterans. There is a place in Georgia on theWestside that honors medals and has names placed on markers. I would try and get them to his family but I know the State VA and even the Regional Office would display them .Look at this picture of me and this author of Agent orange in Washington and see how they display things at 810 Vermont the National Office of Veterans Affairs.

[saigon68]

13. They are the property of the heirs of the estate

Unfortunately, you will have to deal with them. My suggestion--- write and tell the heirs you found the medals and that you think the medals should go to the local museum's history collection to be preserved for all time. These medals are probably worth less than $25,00 anyway.

You didn't say what the other medal was--- but if the heirs want them you have to give the medals to them. Then they can sell them on E-Bay and some day GOD if SHE'S up to it will get upset in some fashion with them.

If they are jerks --- demand they send you $25.00 for shipping and insurance. Give them 30 days to do this. If they don't send the money then donate the medals.

[Rockholm]

14. Thanks for all the suggestions so far!

I responding to responses from a few posters. I am in Massachusetts!
I am at work today so I am not with the medals so I can't remember the third medal. It has wings on it, kinda like an Achilles heel. (I think) or was it a garland? I will look when I get home.

I like the idea of The Wall, but I really don't want anything to happen to them. Thankfully, I love my country and these medals really have touched me in a very strong way. They to me are a concrete piece of a American who gave his life fighting for the USA. The kid who died was 19, black, had been in Vietman for 2 months.

I'm a bit hesitant regarding the VA. They may get lost in the shuffle, just like the veterans trying to get medical attention. I would never sell them. They do not belong to me.

Maybe his high school?