US Navy Officer's Sword

**asemery** · 10-18-2014, 06:38 PM

Here is my US Navy Officer's sword. I purchased it in 1965 on completiing OCS in Newport, R.I. A major expense for me at the time. I think I wore it a total of 5 times. There is a black leather carrying case, not shown, that has the words GEMSCO and VITALON printed in gold in the inside flap.

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**Batch** · 10-18-2014, 08:08 PM

What does it mean to you and what will it mean to those who you hand it down to?

My dad never made it past the the Order of DeMolay in Virginia. But, his Pops (maternal granddad) was a Grand Master at the Grand Lodge of Virginia. I am told this is the oldest and most prestigious. Also, that George Washington was a member there. Well, there was a lot of things that were my dad's or should have been.

He enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida. While on shore leave in New York he met my mother in an elevator. She had come over from Scotland for one year. My mother being a damned foreigner and a catholic didn't sit too well in my dad's family. And since he loved Florida, they just made that their new home.

He went home to bury his sister a year or two ago and his cousin John told him of some of the things that he had that had belonged to Pop. There were a couple of things that were my dad's. But, how do you lay claim to something that far back. He just said what he held in his heart about those items.

A short while after he came back to Florida. A big brother having had to bury his little sister. About 50 years after he ever called Virginia home. He received a package from cousin John. It contained most of what my dad really wanted.

When he showed me the sword and explained to my granddaughter what it was he became emotional. She held it and beamed. I have a picture somewhere. But, can't find it now.

I never met Pop (I have an awesome shrimp recipe in his hand writing that every family member loves). My kids only know of him. But, my grand daughter will have his sword. His legacy to us. And when that sword hangs in its place of honor it will be here great grand-dad's pop's sword.

**crashdive123** · 10-18-2014, 10:12 PM

Glad to see that you still have it Shipmate.

**asemery** · 10-19-2014, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by Batch

What does it mean to you and what will it mean to those who you hand it down to?

My dad never made it past the the Order of DeMolay in Virginia. But, his Pops (maternal granddad) was a Grand Master at the Grand Lodge of Virginia. I am told this is the oldest and most prestigious. Also, that George Washington was a member there. Well, there was a lot of things that were my dad's or should have been.

He enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida. While on shore leave in New York he met my mother in an elevator. She had come over from Scotland for one year. My mother being a damned foreigner and a catholic didn't sit too well in my dad's family. And since he loved Florida, they just made that their new home.

He went home to bury his sister a year or two ago and his cousin John told him of some of the things that he had that had belonged to Pop. There were a couple of things that were my dad's. But, how do you lay claim to something that far back. He just said what he held in his heart about those items.

A short while after he came back to Florida. A big brother having had to bury his little sister. About 50 years after he ever called Virginia home. He received a package from cousin John. It contained most of what my dad really wanted.

When he showed me the sword and explained to my granddaughter what it was he became emotional. She held it and beamed. I have a picture somewhere. But, can't find it now.

I never met Pop (I have an awesome shrimp recipe in his hand writing that every family member loves). My kids only know of him. But, my grand daughter will have his sword. His legacy to us. And when that sword hangs in its place of honor it will be here great grand-dad's pop's sword.

It is great that you have this legacy that means so much. Your cousin John is an honorable man. I do not have any fond memories assolciated with my sword. I wore it a few official naval ceremonies and one wedding.
It has been in storage since 1968 .