Well Alex, I'll take "use-it" for $200-ESPECIALLY if your dad gave it to you with the intent that you would carry while serving your country. I wouldn't have the guts to look my dad in the eye and say "gee thanks Pop, but I think I'll leave it behind in the desk drawer."
I have a WWII KABAR that was my Grandfathers. He gave it to my father who gave it to me. Both of them used the knife, I put it in a drawer because that's what you do with an "heirloom" isn't it?
No, not in this case. First of all, how could I dare sell it? For what, $100 at most? Sorry, not worth it and besides that, I'm just borrowing it because it really belongs to my first born...
Secondly, if my Grandfather were alive and my dad had any say about it, they would want me to use it not display it or hide it away in a drawer. And you know what? That's what I do now. I use it, and I enjoy it every time I do. I refuse to die leaving behind a bunch of stuff that I was too protective to use and enjoy to people who probably won't appreciate it nearly as much as I would have using it.
Are there 'better' knives? Maybe. Is it a 'bad' knife? NO, not at all. It's a working knife pattern that has proven it's self on everything from opening crates of ammo to taking care of other not so mundane 'problems'.
Carry it, use it, guard it. And if you can parkerize-then parkerize it-just be careful of the leather handle as already suggested. And if you loose it, or break it, or it gets stolen-guess what? That's the time to get a new one.
One suggestion would be to pick up a new sheath to carry it in. You can get them from AG Russell in leather for $10 or even get a higher end tactical type (Blackhawk I think is the brandname) for $45 or so.
Well, that's what I would do anyhow...
and you take care over there you hear?