A Clandestine Army: A Book Review (4/30/08)
I was excited to obtain a copy of SOG: Team History and Insignia of a Clandestine Army, the much-anticipated book written by SOG authority Jason Hardy (www.thedogtag.com) with help from author/dealer Mike Tucker (www.authenticmilitaria.com). Jason is well known in the militaria collecting community as a specialty dealer focused on SOG and Special Forces memorabilia from the Vietnam War. More >>

A Flick of Cold Steel… (4/30/08)
My earliest recollection of wanting to own a switchblade came after seeing the film The Outsiders, where the character Johnny Cade (played by Ralph Macchio) uses a lever-lock switchblade to defend himself during a fight scene with rival “Socs” (short for socialites). The camera cuts to Johnny Cade on ground, then zooms to his hand as he discretely draws his blade from his jean pocket. More >>

Striking Gold at the Hastings Military Collectibles Show (4/30/08)
As I loaded my car early Friday morning, I was relieved to see that it had only snowed an inch or so the night before. While I was in college, there were four consecutive years the Hastings Nebraska Militaria Show was canceled due to blizzard conditions. Show co-promoter Mike Bockman was beginning to think the Lord was trying to send him a message. More >>

Ft Leavenworth Militaria Show Review (4/30/08)
I just got back from the 14th annual Fort Leavenworth Militaria Collectibles show located at the Frontier Conference Center. I have attended this event 5 or 6 times and enjoy making the drive. This show (like most) is an opportunity to meet up with collecting friends I only see once or twice a year and to network with dealers. More >>

The National World War II Museum – D-Day and Beyond (4/25/08)
The National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana offers both a comprehensive and personal look at the twentieth century’s most significant event. Formerly known as the National D-Day museum, the museum opened its doors to the public on the 56th anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 2000. More >>

Symbols and Flags of Earth Day (4/22/08)
To paraphrase a famous Clinton-era campaign slogan, “It’s the Environment, Stupid.” That could have been the basis for Earth Day as conceived by Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1969. Originally created as a teach-in about environmental problems facing Earth, it grew into the basis for the worldwide environmental movement. More >>

German World War One Pilot’s helmet (4/22/08)
During the First World War flight was in it’s infancy. Many people had only read about airplanes and the many new inventions relating to flight. New aviation inventions were develped by Germany, France Great Briton, Italy, Austria-Hungary Russia and the U.S. Airplanes at the begining of the war were used mainly for reconnaissance of the enemies supply lines and trench forifications. More >>

Cliff Sophia – Civil War Guns (4/15/08)
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Help, What are these? (4/11/08)
I came into possession of two pins or badges that I inherited from a relative’s estate. They were acquired in England sometime during World War Two. Any information that anyone may have concerning these would be appreciated. More >>

How to Find Information on Flags (4/7/08)
I discovered that flags were an educational hobby in early 1980. Realizing that the study of flags was called vexillology and that I was a vexillologist was a personal breakthrough. Many aspects of my interest in flags, such as heraldry, art, history, culture, language, sociology, color and design, are encompassed within this discipline. More >>