b-day ideas,, ill explain

[kajunlady]

my hubbys birthday is coming up really soon and i want to do something really special and all ideas are gone from my mind. I always go all out for his b-day for what he has done and over come in his life and just for being a great hubby and father. Some of you know that hes all about the MARINES so that is the theme this year and i know a little bit about the marines ( granted its been 2 years since he been out but hes still kinda in (hard for me to explain that maybe shadow can)) he works and goes to school so i can stay home with our children he does so much ( yes i know im rambling and i will get to the point soon i promise) so i want this to be a really special birthday so i can just show him how much i do appricate him. i have ordered a cake with hummers and a m-16 )or whatever its called (his first gun in the marines) and its in camo icing and i have a marine corp flag and balloons on there way as we speak i have even talk to some people that he misses since his discharge, even some of his sgts are coming. and he has told me that he wants something  to do with the marine corp for his present and thats where im stuck what do you get a marine that has all the marine stuff i can think of. he has the sword outfits from back in the day (not getting anytype of gun if thats even possible) figuerins knifes lighters and even some kinda case that has every type of weapon,blouse,boots,covers,trousers, ever used form when it was made ( only missing the uptodate stuff) any ideas??

sorry so long and thanks in advance

[Shadowwolf]

I would suggest a Shadowbox (mind out of the gutter boys).

http://www.militaryplaques.com/US-Marine-Corps-Retirement-Shadow-Box.html

Basically its a box that he can hang in the house somewhere and you fill it with items of his military career. Generally the box contains the medals hes earned, his rank insignia, perhaps any specialty badges hes earned, maybe a folded up American or USMC flag, and generally a little placard inside with his name, "nickname", rank, enlistment period, and perhaps a famous or common quote of his (youll have to get a hold of his buddies for this probably).

http://www.freedomdisplaycases.com/product2.html is a good example of what one usually contains.

Mine has my Scuba bubble, jump wings, rank chevron, a flag, my medals, a RAM stick, a set of server keys, and a little placard with my name, nickname, and my most uttered phrase of "You're Fired!" and the collector coin of every unit I served attached to.

How extravagant it is depends on how much you want to spend and how much you want to put into it. The nice thing about these things for gifts is that its a bit personal for both the person receiving and the person(s) giving. It reminds them of their time in by containing little items, ive seen things like hallowed out grenades, engraved K-Bars, the actual sleeve with rank of the dress blue coat, etc. Its personal for the presenter(s) in that you customize it to what you think it should contain. It takes time to assemble it, most often you have to do it yourself unless you find a local shop that will do it for you, so it becomes a personal attachment for you as well. The other positive is that it can be kept by the kids and grandkids to remember him by long into the future.

[kajunlady]

i would have neer thought to do that. thanks so much for the idea shadow. and this way i can get all his stuff out of a cramped box and show it off..  ( kl is now thinking how to top this next year...lol)