I stopped into one of the local thrift stores to check out the uniform rack - nothing groovy thre, but on a stand by the exit door was a nice Coast Guard visor hat...that set me back a buck ($1.00)...not named or anything but the price was right....I also check Craigslist on a random basis....the collecting Gods decided to smile upon me...found an advert in Virginia for an "Army cavalry stetson"...I immediately thought it was probably a cowboy hat someone had stuck some sabers on, but to my surprise, it was a genuine "Stetson" brand hat from an officer in the 2/17th of the 101st Airborne...also included were his dress spurs, a replica 1860 Cavalry saber, a 101st belt buckle, and another pair of spurs..I got the entire grouping for $30....the man is still on active duty (a Major)...he had been in the 2/17 as a 1LT....one of their missions was helping the US Customs and border patrol in Texas, so they bought "cowboy" spurs to wear whilst there......the hat alone was worth the $30 to me...I always thought that would be one thing you'd have to stumble on at an estate sale...you know how those Troopers can be about their hats! Pics follow...
Mark sends