Back in May, I was blessed to take a trip to the Normandy beaches.

I gathered and brought back some sand and a few other items from the experience. I gave some sand out to my friends in small vials but wanted to surprise my two brothers with something a bit more special. We all served in the Navy at the same time and our Father was a Seabee...so we are a very patriotic family who hold the military near to our hearts.

I started by sandblasting two vials with the name of the two US beaches I toured, Omaha and Utah. The vials turned out great...but I needed a case.

I found some small cases and painted them and then plastic coated some foam. I added some places for the vials and a shell and stone I also brought back from the "Shingle Line".

I think they will like the gift as it comes from the heart and also helps to carry the memory of what happened that day.

Very nice. Sure it will be a very special gift for them. Very thoughtful on your part. Merry Christmas.

That is a super cool gift. I am sure they will be elated. The fact that you made it makes it 1000 times cooler.

One problem I see with it, they are going to feel bad when they hand you a $50 gift certificate to Amazon and you hand them that.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
One problem I see with it, they are going to feel bad when they hand you a $50 gift certificate to Amazon and you hand them that.

That’s what makes It even better, we don’t exchange gifts so they won’t be expecting anything.

We just buy for the kids, well, now it’s grandkids.

Salute!!!

Awesome job!

I don't know why, as I don't have any particular connection to WWII or D-Day, but that makes my vision go fuzzy.

A great idea and superb execution. Your brothers will be touched. Kudos to you and your family.

amazing gift.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
I don't know why, as I don't have any particular connection to WWII or D-Day, but that makes my vision go fuzzy..

Probably has to do with the generation that saved the world from hell. Just my guess.

Now that is a gift with meaning and purpose ! Well done.

An amazing gift,that is simply fantastic.

Those look fantastically executed. That is what I call a lifetime gift as they will remember it for the rest of their lives.

That is awesome. I'm sure they will cherish such a gift.

At my parents today my mom had found an old picture album. It is where some pictures on my grandmother at Perl Harbor a month or two before the attacks. She spends much of the war as a nurse in the Navy.

Very nice! Those will get passed on to the grandkids and stay in the family a long time.

I recall the other 3 landings being Sword, Gold and, Juno. Affraid I am not knowledgable of the Shingle line. What a awsome gift you give.

Well done! My sincere thanks to you & your family for your service to this country.

That's was a great idea and a lot of thought and effort went into it.