Recently a group of about 25 collectors met in Fort Belvoir, Virginia for the Military Insignia Fair, an event that happens four times a year at the base's community center. Once every quarter between 25 and 150 collectors of military patches, insignias, uniforms, and other military memorabilia get together to display their prized possessions, do some trading, and educate the general public. It's an important part of the community fabric of a base that houses some of the nation's most important military organizations.
The event draws mostly older collectors these days, but organizers are trying to encourage participation among the area's active duty personnel and civilians living off base. They believe in the importance of military patches and other memorabilia in terms of their ability to preserve and speak of past history. For example, more than one collector at the show displayed dozens of items, including military patches and insignias, from units that served in previous wars but have since been disbanded. The importance of carrying on the memory of these units can't be underestimated.
There were others who were displaying patches and other items commemorating the nation's POWs and MIAs; friends and family who still hold one of the most important places in the hearts of current and former military personnel. Items like these remind the men women in uniform to never forget their brothers and sisters who have not come home. Just walking among all of this memorabilia is enough to stir even the most unpatriotic heart, that's for sure.
Today's modern military patches may not have a lot of financial value for collectors, but they are important nonetheless. They will be the patches of tomorrow that tell future soldiers about military life today. If you're a collector, consider military patches from Iraq and Afghanistan for your collection.
