The return of a Bayonet

     I was attending our Ohio District 7 American Legion Auxiliary Meeting this month.  My President Sandy came over to me , she had been talking with the President of another unit carrying a piece of notebook paper with something written on it.

     This piece of paper she handed me saying this guy was a member of this post and they have a bayonet they are trying to return to him or the family.

     I looked at the piece of paper with a big smile and a few tears, saying to her "That is my dad"....

   Sandy said Your kidding ....I said no that is my dad's name and he was a commander at this post in the 90's.

    Sandy jumps up runs across the room and tells the story to the other president....she comes over and I give her my name relationship and she said she would have the present owner of this bayonet call me.

     Well over the next few days I forgot about it. Phone rings and this man calls says he has a bayonet with Raymond McGraw etched on it. I told him my dad used an engraver on most everything he felt passionate about. His response was well he sure had great penmanship then. We had a little laugh about that. 

     I told him this was my father and explained he was in service state side Fort Campbell Ky before I was born...I told him as much as I knew about his service there and he told me it fit the time era...This bayonet was hand etched by my father with his name and 1946. He had researched this knife all the way to the American Legion Post 471 a Commander by this name.

     He was an avid military collector, but would like to return this to the man or his family for a family history piece asking if i would accept it.

 I told him his son was still living and had all boy heirs that he could pass this down to so he agreed to meet with him. 

     My brother met with him and historical knowledge of this bayonet and dad's background in the military.

     Our family is now Proud to be the holders of this Military piece again.

     Americanism, Patriotism show by this man was Wonderful.

     I am so thankful this veteran helped to keep our Nation Free.

           GOD BLESS AMERICA

My Dad 1st row 2nd from the left

This pic I did for a little since of the size of knives and bayonet's

Had a few more pic's to add to this blog....dad's metals/badges and pic of his ordinance he had tucked away in his metal box...lol

Dad had sharp shooter status

This is that Tie Bar....with the little pearl gun stock ....the type of gun the bayonet would fit on.

Military patch's and awards now all getting in one place for Family history.....