I hit the jackpot!

Stage 2

Ignore the small minded jerks and flame throwers who can't think past their noses. I, for one, would like to see the pics you'd like to share.

Insinsitive jerk speaking: Want to sell that 1941 1911A1 manual?? It would go GREAT with my 1911A1 mfgd. in 1941!! Jerk (voice) off. Oh, wait, that didn't sound the way I wanted it too.

Gotta love it when Grandpa knew he would make you smile from the grave. Unfortuantely for me, when my Grandfather passed away over 20 years ago, there were too many "vultures" in the family, and nothing remains. One of my Uncles arrived in town late (while everyone was out to dinner at a resturant) and ransacked the house for all the WWII collectables and anything else he wanted. Took my Dads 1911A1 and the Luger with the shoulder stock and the broom handle Mauser among other items. (USGI Rolex, etc..) It's a sad situation though. When he passed, none of his brothers or sisters went to his funeral because of this stunt.

That is great when my grandfather passed i was given his guns and still have and cherish them also use them . I will always remember him he always took me hunting and fishing since i was old enough to walk and remember.He taught me many things.

I feel like I hit the jackpot after having just gotten my grandfather's diary from WWII. He passes a couple years back. I'm sorry he's gone, but I'm happy I get to read his diary.

That's awesome. A lot of people in my family served in the military - several of them in major wars - but most didn't bring home a whole lot other than memories. I have one uncle who kept his boatswain's wistle and tried to keep a .50 cal incendiary round, but my grandfather made him throw it in the river because he thought it would explode. I have another uncle who has a Japanese officer's sword from WWII. I don't remember how he got it - he wasn't in WWII. I think a relative or friend gave it to him.

But I do have one of my grandfather's .22 rifles - an ol' Marlin semi-auto. It's loose and beat up, but it shoots like a dream. I think he shot all the squirrels it was meant to kill, though, because I sure haven't had any luck.

I don't know if there's a gun in my collection that I'm more proud of, though. And one day when one of my grandkids ends up with it I hope they're as proud as you or me. I'd love to see some pics of that gun and the sword.

Truly a Jackpot...

in so many ways. Your Grandfather made it through the war, Jackpot!
He lived a long life and you got to know him, hopefully have graeat memories of him...Jackpot!
He thought enough of you to want you to have the things that were important to him... Jackpot!

You hit the Jackpot in many ways....

Maybe you should try to restrain your glee at your "jackpot" and think a little about the ticket that got punched so you could collect.

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That seems a little harsh: the grandad in question died some years ago. The OP no doubt mourned for a long time, and now he's glad to find an unexpected legacy.

My gramp died about five years ago. I was pretty broken up about it. But if tomorrow someone found a trove of his old belongings for me, I'd rejoice. It would be like getting a piece of him back. I'd probably say "woo hoo!" too. All I have of his is a .22 rifle that he gave me back when I was 10. It was his when he was 15.

Unfortuantely for me, when my Grandfather passed away over 20 years ago, there were too many "vultures" in the family, and nothing remains.

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Sickening, isn't it? When my great-grampa died, I wanted a couple of things that had no value at all, except sentimental value to me. As far as I can find out, relatives threw them in the trash--if it wasn't something they wanted, then nobody was going to have it.

--Len.

Make sure you get a proper display case for those medals and that Officer's sword. Display them proudly.


See http://www.medalsofamerica.com as a place to start!

I never knew my grandfather. I don't have much to remember either of them by. Congrats on the inheritance. It's even more special because he knew you would appreciate it. I'm glad you will have awesome things by which to remember your granddad.

Hey Stage 2, where's the pics? My Grandpa died in 1974 and I have nothing to remember him by except memories. You are indeed fortunate, and you really did "hit the jackpot." Sounds to me like most of us here would like to share in your good fortune. Pics, please.

Personally, I'd like to see the uniform with the sword angled across.

My Grandpa died in 1983, but he left me many things, my fav is the 1903 Springfield. I love that gun for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that he loved it and wanted me to have it. My Grandmother told me years ago that long before he passed he mentioned how happy he was to be able to leave it to me. I imagine this is a similar situation.

Your Grandpa is no doubt very happy at your joy with his bequest! He knew you were the one who would appreciate it, and you show you did, vindicating his judgement and honoring the achievements of his life.
If what I leave my grandchildren is received with half as much enthusiasm as you expressed, I will be well pleased!
Looking forward to your pics!
James

Looking forward to it Stage 2!

I don't mean to be insensitive or disrespectful, but a picture of what he left for you would be cool to see.

How about honoring the memory of your grandfather and appreciating his love and hopes for you rather than concentrating on whatever he left you?

My grandfather passed away 7 years before I was born. I knever knew him but a year ago when my grandmother died and we were cleaning out her house I discovered a pistol my grandfather brought back from France in 1945. There always was a family legend that there was a war pistol but none of my mother's family ever cared. When I discovered the pistol in a combo lock box which I spent an hour trying to figure out the code, I too felt like I had hit a jackpot. I only wish I had memories of my grandfather to go along with the war trophies.

Stage 2, Dude--Don't let anybody get you down or dampen your spirits over your treasures from your grandfather! I was fortunate to have both sets of grandparents in my life for many years. The material things I treasure most are the family treasures they gave me or were given to me after they passed. Even though they are gone, their heirlooms are a constant reminder of them and warm my heart every day. This is the type of good sh*t that makes rotten days bearable! I'm a 56 year old guy and a day doesn't pass that I don't think about them! Enjoy and cherish your good fortune--what a great day!

Forgot--Post the pics!!!! Bet their great!

You in my opinion did hit the jackpot. You are the holder of history as it was. Those items are absolutely priceless. Its up to you to make SURE they get to your kids. Those pieces of family history are all you need to cherish him.

I thank him for his service.

My Grandfather died in 1970. I have about 60 cousins.( my Mom is the baby of seven children ) I spent more time with my Grandparents than all the other cousins combined. I loved being in the country, working the garden with him, FISHING, splitting firewood and all the other stuff.

When he died, and this is still a mystery to me, I noticed that I had his straight razor, his pocket knife, and his .22 single shot Remington.

I still miss him...but he is with me every time I touch that rifle!

You hang onto everything you find in that box...you'll never get tired of them!

Mark.

Sorry for your loss. Sounds like you had a good relationship with your grand dad. Cherish the WW2 things and pass them on to your kids.

Well it seems that there was only one jackass.

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Hey kid, people judge what you say by the words you use. You may not have meant what you said to sound the way it did, but that doesn't change what you wrote. Maybe you should stop posting here until you grow up a bit and can handle criticism without calling someone an idiot or a jackass.

There was absolutely no reason for anyone to pass judgement on the way Stage2 wrote his post. Who are you to criticize and pass judgements on HIS feeelings? I know folks who rejoice, because of religious beliefs or other beliefs, when someone has lived his/her life for many years and goes on to the next life. Sure they will miss that person but knows/believes they will meet them again in due time.
Stage2, post the pics. I also was fortunate to have my grandpa around for a very long time and we had a very special bond that I hope most get to experience. He shared with me many stories of WW2 and his ship being victim to a kamikazi. We still have the letters, pics, and .45 to enjoy.

Daniel T

A little thin-skinned are we?

I'm gonna suggest you don't try to tell another person how they should feel.

You tell someone his feelings -- whatever they are -- are inappropriate and that he should feel something different, you're going to get a backlash.

"Grow up?" As in, "you rejected my criticism and therefore I'm going to attack your maturity?"

Hello?

You've both been on THR for more than three years. I'd say playing the maturity card is probably as unproductive as it gets.

When my grandfather killed himself, I took it very personally.

When, some two years later, my grandmother gave me a pocket knife they'd saved for me for years (a Holley knife, if it matters), I felt some closure and was very pleased that grandpa thought enough of me to set aside one of those knives.

Allow the man to work through his own thoughts and feelings and have his own relationship with his grandfather.

I would do the same for you.