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How do you feel about this?

Just read this article on the BBC News Website, and it got me thinking. Is selling Military Medals ever an acceptable thing to do?

I mean, those are marks of the country's appreciation at what the Serviceman has done. In this particular case, it's the serviceman himself selling them, so I guess that's pretty much fine, seeing as they are his to do with as he pleases.

But all too often, I see on the mindless auction telly programmes people bringing in their Fathers or Grandfathers Military honours, looking to make a quick buck. This seems somehow deeply disrespectful to the recipient of the Medal.

I suppose that if a benchmark of acceptability had to be set, I'd reccomend only selling them when it's your Great-Grandfather, someone you've likely never met, or if it's the recipient themselves selling them.

Either way, I still think it's a little rude to do so.

How about you Dakka?

In the USA it is illegal to self a Medal of Honor, but the rest are okay. I wouldn't sell any of my Grandfather's medals.

My Grandfather owns an Antique store, and you would be amazed at the family heirlooms that get sold or destroyed by heirs.

It's a bit sad but after a couple of generations a lot of stuff that was priceless starts to look like useless old crap. Especially when you see the prices for storage at Big Yellow, and the cost for insuring your home.

My wife and I are fairly keen on antiques, though she is keener than me to be honest. It gave me great pleasure to buy her an expensive Victorian dining table a few years ago. The truth is though, it doesn't hold stuff off the floor any better than a cheapo pine job from Ikea for %10 of the cost, and it's a lot mre vulnerable to damage caused by young children.

Medals are a different case I suppose, as they are much more easily portable. OTOH, if you can sell them and use the money to pay a mortgage deposit, or get your child through university, I see the argument.

At least when these things go out of the family, it would be nice to think they carry their history with them, instead of ending up as decor on a gastro-pub wall.

On a philosophical note, does anyone remember the name of anyone in Alexander the Great's army except for the top generals?

One day nearly everyone will be dust and forgotten.