Any recommendations for someone who builds a military shadow box? Husband is retiring and wants something fairly simple but good quality. He's reached out to a few places but has not heard back. Thought y'all may know of people or companies that do random woodworking projects like this.
Retirement is going to be Spring 2027 so we've got some time. We're in League City but don't mind driving or paying for shipping if he finds someone he likes.
Thanks!

Relic Wood has some nice ones that are like small trunks/footlockers with a shadow box, coin display, and flag holder built in. They do custom artwork and engraving, and are nicely built and easy to work with. I presented one to my best friend at his retirement ceremony last week.

I would also look at Oak and Honor on FB. He's a retired CSM and does good work.

https://relicwood.com/product/custom-military-retirement-keepsake-shadowbox/


https://www.facebook.com/share/17dYxLrr1v/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I used The Armed Forces Super Store.
You pick a box online, select your ribbons/medals and digitally place them in the box as you want them displayed. Throw in your last rank, unit patch and a small plate with your name, etc. They assemble and mail it, comes with a little lever at the bottom so you can open it. Turned out well.

https://www.usamm.com/

A shadow box is standard retirement gift fare from the unit. Hold off on buying one, his unit is almost assuredly going to give one that's very nice

Edit: if he insists on buying his own before his unit gives him one, Hobby Lobby is a great place to get something framed. Or any other framing shop. There's nothing special about the twice-as-expensive versions at Medals of America or wherever

If you're just looking for the display box as hubby prefers to mount his badges, ribbons, medals, etc. himself, any local picture framing shop stocks them or can make a custom glass-front box for you.

Alternatively, they will also mount his memorabilia in the box however he wants.

There's nothing about the display box that necessitates buying it from a military specialty company.

They don't. They give them money to use for the retirement box and they choose their own. Not sure if that's a new thing, his specific unit, or what. My guess is some people were doing the "they got a cooler box than I did" and it moved to "find your own so it's on you if you don't like what you picked".

It's more about the design. He had a friend who retired and his shadow box is a fleur de lis (huge Saints fan), not a traditional box. He's not wanting something that unique but he's wanting something more than a traditional 4 edges and some glass.

Ok, but a good framing shop can make most any shape you want. Been there, done that. Just a suggestion.....

Milspouse Ag said:

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They don't. They give them money to use for the retirement box and they choose their own. Not sure if that's a new thing, his specific unit, or what. My guess is some people were doing the "they got a cooler box than I did" and it moved to "find your own so it's on you if you don't like what you picked".

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He should be very wary of whether this is true and even more wary of accepting the money if is true. There are 3 federal laws, 4 DoD Instruction memos, and 2 Joint Ethics Regulations that prohibit cash gifts.

If his unit is actually doing that, a reasonable person would expect that illegal idea to be scrapped when the next commander or JAG rotates in

I don't believe the DOD regs apply since he's CG. I'll ask about the Fed laws. It could be that he gave me the simple version (i.e. they give him money), when it's something else (maybe they make the payment to the vendor he chooses). Thanks for the warning.

Go Post on the Ooutdoors Board and ask for a poster named Agrams.


Here is a thread showcasing some of his projects.

https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/3565704