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PaperclipPerfector  1d ago (text post)   953 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for April 12, 2026

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I recently inherited a distant uncle's medals from the Korean war. They're nicely mounted and framed, mostly campaign medals and a purple heart. I'm the closest relation left as a going concern, his only son predeceased them.

I'd like to hang and display them, to honor my uncle, but I'm wondering what the boundaries of good taste are, given that I never served, and he wasn't an immediate relative. What level of prominence is appropriate? Is it wrong to hang them at all?

Hydro is right about a plaque, but for an easier alternative, put them in a frame with a picture of him.

Frame them with a plaque explaining who earned them. Yes the plaque will set you back a bit.

They're already framed and labeled.

My first thought is to place them somewhere they are visible and available for perusal by guests, but not the primary focus of a decorative arrangement. Near or on a book shelf, maybe, or among a handful of comparable items on a mantle. Somewhere that says "These are noteworthy family memorabilia, but not something I am specifically trying to show off."

Do you know the story behind the purple heart?

None of us knew he had a purple heart, I'm actually going to run down to the VFW at some point and ask some guys I know there how I would go about finding that information.

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