PERSPECTIVES: A Small Box and "Scrap Medals"

By Judith Pond Pfeffer

Working part-time in a thrift store opens one’s eyes to an abundance of people and situations.

In this store we have a large white cage that has wire around the front and sides and which is always locked. You can see in through the wire, it is just there to protect any hands getting in and removing merchandise. The cage contains lots of electronics, CDs, and high-priced or unusual gifts, silver, along with many many knives (who wants knives out in the open shelves!).

There was a small box placed in the cage; about two-inches high and about six- or seven-inches square. No info on box as to make or owner. Curiosity got the better of me, so when next I opened the cage, I opened the box. The box had no lock, just a simple latch mechanism. The inside of the box was lined with black velvet, the box contained Medals! Medals that one of our soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, or Coast Guard military members had been granted, it was one of the saddest, most disrespectful things I have ever witnessed.

To take the medals of a relative (or were you a caregiver?) and drop them into the outside bin of a thrift box for a donation, is heartless and cruel, and a disservice to the medal recipient and the branch of service he represented. That box of medals could have been donated to the local Veterans Agent or given to the V.F.W. or to any other organization which would honor the service and sacrifice it took to obtain these emblems of respect or emblems of war earned by this Veteran.

An appropriate home was found for these medals. The box was sold to a young gentleman who is a frequent customer and visitor of the store, and often speaks of his father who has served our country.

It was the saddest small box that I have ever seen.

Lifelong resident, Attorney Judith Pond Pfeffer served as a member of the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust for 33 years, Town Council for 21 years as well as a term on the School Committee.