This is my version of the story everyone seems to have, Stuff My Mother Threw Out. My family moved from 224 Rayburn Terrace in Orange, right next door to number 222, when I was about 14 . This was during the time of the Korean War, and my brother knew he was being drafted.

A while after the move, I discovered all my military stuff was missing: my German spiked  helmet from WW I, my copy of the WW2 Aircraft Spotter’s Guide including photos and instant-identification silhouettes of every American, German and Japanese fighter plane and bomber, some random bullets, a dummy hand grenade, and my uncle George’s WWII uniform insignia and medals.

I understand why, but I miss them.

1915 Prussian Pickelhaube, ima-usa.com

WW2 Aircraft Spotter’s Guide