USMC-RECON0321 Posted October 10, 2013 Share #1 Posted October 10, 2013 Hello, Can't find my old post, so I'll update here. In a nut shell, I purchased this canteen at a sale and found a 1950's cub scout knife under the canteen inside the cover. The cover also had a name written on it, Glenn Hayden Troop 495. I only wanted the canteen, so I listed the cub scout knife on auction and mentioned the information found written on the canteen cover in the description. A great guy who researches scout history contacted me and said he could track down the family this cub scout came from. So I ended the auction and next thing I know, I was talking to a vibrant, nearly 90 year old mother of the named cub scout. Cheryl Hayden. I also talked to her daughter (the sister of the Cub Scout) Thinking I was just going to return the knife and canteen to the family after all these years, I was quickly informed that yes that was her sons stuff he lost over 50 years ago, and she remembered this without hesitation, because the canteen was brought back by her Husband after WWII and given to their son to use for scouts. This was the same canteen he had carried in the Battle of the Bulge she said and he (The father, Glenn Sr.) was never happy about it getting lost. Well this was a great discovery and I was happy to return it to them. This came at the right time, because their son had passed several years prior from cancer and her husband Glenn Sr. had just passed a couple months prior to this (2012) and the daughter said this really meant a lot to her!! Anyway, today, I receive a box in the mail from the two, that included a very moving letter from Cheryl Hayden, telling me she wanted me to have the canteen back, so she knows its in the right hands and included a few other items, the items included; The canteen 75th Patch 44th Patch A Normandy Book mark A 1939 German Medal, ribbon and paper envelope it came in. (Not sure what it is, but I don't believe its ever been issued) A German Purple Stamp I hope its okay to post pictures of it all since it is tied together with this canteen and brought home by the Vet. If not please remove. I will also scan copies of a newspaper article that was done on the canteen being returned back in 2012. The Vet: Glenn Hayden Sr. ASN 39464051 Enlisted March 23rd, 1943 One picture sent of him in dress uniform appears to be with the 75th INF, But they sent both 75th and 44th INF patches? Also, Both Cheryl and her Daughter say Glenn was in Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, But the 75th and 44th both arrived in France after D-day, so maybe they didn't mean for the D-day invasion? Anyway thought it would be fun to share this story and history. I would like to do further history on Glenn. Haven't found much on line. Thanks Troy I'll start with the newspaper article they had done. (Vancouver, Washington) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted October 10, 2013 Share #2 Posted October 10, 2013 Awesome story! Just goes to show good things happen to good people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted October 10, 2013 Tried to get the story so you can read it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share #4 Posted October 10, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted October 10, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-40Warhawk Posted October 10, 2013 Share #6 Posted October 10, 2013 That is what this hobby is all about. Remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share #7 Posted October 10, 2013 If these can't be posted, please remove. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted October 10, 2013 The back of the medal envelop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share #9 Posted October 10, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Marine Posted October 10, 2013 Share #10 Posted October 10, 2013 Great Story. You did a good thing and it came back to you double. I guess there is a lesson in there. Good for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share #11 Posted October 10, 2013 The canteen is pretty beat up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plick27 Posted October 10, 2013 Share #12 Posted October 10, 2013 Karma +1. Nice job!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share #13 Posted October 10, 2013 Here you can see the sons name and troop number that connected the history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share #14 Posted October 10, 2013 Here are the best I could do with the picture copies sent to me. Hayden is on the left in the field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share #15 Posted October 10, 2013 Thanks guys. I was not expecting this!! Troy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
67Rally Posted October 10, 2013 Share #16 Posted October 10, 2013 It is stories like these about collectors working with the families who actually wanted their veterans' militaria but was somehow lost to time (versus unscrupulous money-hungry posers...you know the ones). Not all of these family return stories end up this way but the sheer joy the returns bring to these folks is incredibly heart-warming.Thank you for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDogMilitaria Posted October 10, 2013 Share #17 Posted October 10, 2013 That is awesome Troy. This is one of the coolest things i have read in my time on this forum. Couldnt have happened to a nicer guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottiques Posted October 10, 2013 Share #18 Posted October 10, 2013 Great story-- thanks for sharing. Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share #19 Posted October 10, 2013 Thanks again guys, The daughter informed me that when her Mother got these in the mail, she was overwhelmed with emotion holding the canteen and cub scout knife again. I don't really think it was about what the items were, but the fact they were found together and returned to them 50 years after the fact and just months after her husband passed and joined their son who also passed a couple years prior. Saying it was like a sign, because the two items being found together? Ya never know I guess... But I'm glad it helped when it was needed! Troy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted October 10, 2013 Share #20 Posted October 10, 2013 A great story, and I am glad to see that you displayed them proudly; proof that it doesn't have to be a painted helmet or uniform to be important. RC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted October 10, 2013 Share #21 Posted October 10, 2013 That is one hell of a story!!! Hardcore and well done, mate! Wow...... -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted October 10, 2013 Share #22 Posted October 10, 2013 This is a wonderful story! It definitely is karma returned to you. Congrats on doing such a wonderful thing! ...Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SergeantMajorGray Posted October 10, 2013 Share #23 Posted October 10, 2013 Great story! Military canteens seem to be used a lot by boy scouts maybe other people have some that can be researched. The medal is a WW2 German War Merit medal btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fstop61 Posted October 10, 2013 Share #24 Posted October 10, 2013 Fabulous story-An act of kindness goes a long way. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRR Posted October 11, 2013 Share #25 Posted October 11, 2013 Wow, if that would not be a prized piece of history for any collection. Truly awesome to see good karma come full circle! Thanks for sharing with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now