6:3 Shadowbox, A Military Tradition

I have had the unique opportunity over the past year to attend several retirements—really reminds me how old I’m getting, and how soon I would have been retiring from the Air Force if I had remained on Active Duty.  Nevertheless, at these ceremonies, some short, some long, they all received a token of their fellow service men and women’s appreciation for the retiree’s service and dedication to his/her country and branch of service.  This token, a military shadowbox is a reflection or “shadow” of that person’s career.  To me, the shadowbox is the highlight of any retirement ceremony and I know those that have received one, display it with honor and pride.  

Some retirees choose to have companies construct one for them and most choose to have either fellow service members or loved ones construct the shadowbox.  I had the opportunity several years ago to assist in the build of one--it takes a lot of time and effort. From the construction of the shadowbox to locating all the appropriate badges, ranks, patches and so forth.  Some, not readily available and/or not sold at the military clothing.  It usually involves the spouse going through the retirees belongings without he/she knowing--the shadowbox is typically a surprise.  At the end of the day, it is well worth the effort to see the expression and sometimes tears of joy and remembrance.  The retiree will forever see the shadowbox in his/her home as a culmination of their career.  

History/Lore

According to some accounts of naval history and tradition, when a sailor retires and is departing the ship for the last time, it's considered bad luck for the sailor's shadow to touch land before he/she does. Thus, the sailor's shipmates would construct a sturdy box, hand-crafted of the finest materials, in which to display mementos of the sailor's accomplishments—thereby symbolically creating a "shadow" of the sailor. The box safely contains the sailor's "shadow" until he/she is safely ashore, at which time the shadow box can be given to the sailor in a presentation ceremony.
 
 

Historically, when a sailor would join a ship's crew, he would join that ship for his entire career. During the sailor's voyages to ports of call around the world, he would collect many trinkets, souvenirs, and reminders of his travels. Naturally, as space aboard ship was at a premium, these items tended to be small. When the sailor piped ashore for the last time, his shipmates saw to it that a special ceremonial box was constructed for him. The box would hold all the possessions that had been collected during those many voyages, a and would simultaneously symbolize the sailor's career and time aboard ship. 


Ideally, a shadow box serves not only as a reminder of achievements and accomplishments, but also as a summation, a culmination, of a career. A shadow box should enable a stranger glancing at its contents to gain a substantial understanding of the owner's past service and achievements.

Source Story:  History

Photo Source:  Large Shadowbox-Friend, Enlisted Shadowbox-Friend, 595 SG Shadowbox