Tuesday, September 26, 2006
I Wonder Why?
Is history important to you?
It is to me, especially family and personal history.
Some of you may know that I collect Boy Scout patches. Order of the Arrow flaps, to be specific.
(A brief explanation for the uninitiated: The Order of the Arrow (OA) is a Boy Scout honor society, whose members identify themselves by wearing special patches (flaps) on the right shirt pocket flap. The OA is organized into 550+ groups (lodges) across the US. Thus, there are thousands of different flaps, and people collect and trade these flaps much like baseball cards, comic books, stamps, or coins.)
Aside from the usual patch for patch trading at trade-o-rees or through the various trader forums, these patches have been coming up for sale on ebay in the last few years. I have no problem with selling or buying OA flaps - it's just like buying a comic book or a coin for your collection. Trading is more fun and engaging, but is a break even game. The only way to build a collection is to purchase (in general flaps are 2 to 5 bucks, but rare ones can be quite expensive. Needless to say, I don't own any rare ones.).
Recently, however, I noticed people beginning to sell other types of Boy Scout patches/medals - things that make me wonder why it is being sold, or even if they should be sold. A few of the big ones I've seen are: numerous Eagle scout medals (the highest youth award), Honor Medals (for saving someone's life), Hornaday awards (for outstanding volunteer service), various religious awards (for service to some religious organization). These are awards that only a few people get each year and they had to voluntarily work very hard to get them.
I don't know, at least to me, these types of awards would represent an irreplaceable sort of personal or family history that I would not being willing to part with for 30 dollars. It can't be personal need, 'cause 30 bucks doesn't go very far these days, and I'd cut off my internet service to save 30 bucks before I sold my Eagle Scout medal on ebay. Maybe these are pieces of estates, but I would think such personal belongings would pass to any available relative before being sold at auction. Maybe there are some relatives who would sell grandpa's or dad's Eagle Scout medal for 30 dollars, but my relatives - be on notice - if you sell mine, I'll haunt you... forwarned is forarmed, you know.
Moreover, I wonder who buys these items. My desire for a Hornaday medal is not so great that I'll buy one off a destitute or deceased guy on ebay.
I don't know, perhaps I'm being harsh. People will collect nearly anything. For myself, though, I'll stick will collecting my own personal history.
It is to me, especially family and personal history.
Some of you may know that I collect Boy Scout patches. Order of the Arrow flaps, to be specific.
(A brief explanation for the uninitiated: The Order of the Arrow (OA) is a Boy Scout honor society, whose members identify themselves by wearing special patches (flaps) on the right shirt pocket flap. The OA is organized into 550+ groups (lodges) across the US. Thus, there are thousands of different flaps, and people collect and trade these flaps much like baseball cards, comic books, stamps, or coins.)
Aside from the usual patch for patch trading at trade-o-rees or through the various trader forums, these patches have been coming up for sale on ebay in the last few years. I have no problem with selling or buying OA flaps - it's just like buying a comic book or a coin for your collection. Trading is more fun and engaging, but is a break even game. The only way to build a collection is to purchase (in general flaps are 2 to 5 bucks, but rare ones can be quite expensive. Needless to say, I don't own any rare ones.).
Recently, however, I noticed people beginning to sell other types of Boy Scout patches/medals - things that make me wonder why it is being sold, or even if they should be sold. A few of the big ones I've seen are: numerous Eagle scout medals (the highest youth award), Honor Medals (for saving someone's life), Hornaday awards (for outstanding volunteer service), various religious awards (for service to some religious organization). These are awards that only a few people get each year and they had to voluntarily work very hard to get them.
I don't know, at least to me, these types of awards would represent an irreplaceable sort of personal or family history that I would not being willing to part with for 30 dollars. It can't be personal need, 'cause 30 bucks doesn't go very far these days, and I'd cut off my internet service to save 30 bucks before I sold my Eagle Scout medal on ebay. Maybe these are pieces of estates, but I would think such personal belongings would pass to any available relative before being sold at auction. Maybe there are some relatives who would sell grandpa's or dad's Eagle Scout medal for 30 dollars, but my relatives - be on notice - if you sell mine, I'll haunt you... forwarned is forarmed, you know.
Moreover, I wonder who buys these items. My desire for a Hornaday medal is not so great that I'll buy one off a destitute or deceased guy on ebay.
I don't know, perhaps I'm being harsh. People will collect nearly anything. For myself, though, I'll stick will collecting my own personal history.
R.T. Lemur 6:31 AM
2 Comments:
I wouldn't sell my Eagle scout award or any merit badges, or other scouting awards. That's just too weird and personal.
I don't know what I would do with my uniform and sash if my parents ever decide that they want to get it out of their house. I don't think I'll be trying it on anytime soon.
I decided to pass on trying to earn the Order of the Arrow. It didn't seem worth the effort when I was 18. It's a cool-looking patch, though.
I don't know what I would do with my uniform and sash if my parents ever decide that they want to get it out of their house. I don't think I'll be trying it on anytime soon.
I decided to pass on trying to earn the Order of the Arrow. It didn't seem worth the effort when I was 18. It's a cool-looking patch, though.
I did a search for other medals and it may be some comfort that bronze stars go for less than $30. Purple hearts are more expensive but they're being sold on eBay too.
I can only hope that like most things that people collect, they are doing it out of a deep respect and in honor of the people who earned these medals and did not perhaps have anyone to pass them down to. It is not uncommon for the people who earned medals in war to be estranged from their families and die in nursing homes. I would rather their achievement be regarded in a shadow box somewhere than have it thrown away in the trash because it's only worth $30.
Family is a sacred and wonderful thing.
I can only hope that like most things that people collect, they are doing it out of a deep respect and in honor of the people who earned these medals and did not perhaps have anyone to pass them down to. It is not uncommon for the people who earned medals in war to be estranged from their families and die in nursing homes. I would rather their achievement be regarded in a shadow box somewhere than have it thrown away in the trash because it's only worth $30.
Family is a sacred and wonderful thing.