Carrying Military Memories with The Bradford Exchange

Editor’s note: This post is sponsored by the Bradford Exchange.

I start every military move (PCS = Permanent Change of Station) the same way: I purge, sort, and organize.

Just a couple of days ago, I found myself up to my eyeballs in all of our memories from our storage closet. We’re getting ready for another PCS in just a few short weeks, so I went to work.

I was surrounded by pictures from high school, trinkets and keepsakes from growing up, and so much military memorabilia.

Sure, I might be biased, but I have the most pride in the military items my Beloved Infantryman has earned or collected through the years. I’m always on the lookout for ways to honor my husband’s service to our country with my words, attitude, actions, and even gifts.

Enter: The Bradford Exchange Online. This company has more than 44 years of innovation, artistry, and design of enduring value not found elsewhere. As I started browsing their wide array of military products, my heart started to get all warm and fuzzy—and my brain (ahem, “hypothetically”) started calculating fitting their items into our family budget.

They have some surprisingly unique products, many which I’ve never seen before (and want for myself now!). The Bradford Exchange’s top three Army products are exceptionally designed, personal, and patriotic.

Here’s what I like most:

1. Canvas Messenger Bag

The first of their top three Army products is the U.S. Army Personalized Canvas Messenger Tote Bag. This bag has a full-color Army emblem, brandished metal starts, and of course, to fit with the Army way of life, it has a pocket that can be personalized with your soldier’s last name. It can fit most laptops, and I’m guessing it probably has room for an energy shot or two (because caffeine storage is a selling point with my Beloved Infantryman!).

Demand for this product is high, so if this piques your interest or might bless your soldier, don’t wait to order.

2. Hooded Fleece Jacket

Next in the line-up is the U.S. Army Hooded Fleece Jacket. My first thought when I looked at this jacket was, “Wow, that’s sharp!” and my second thought was “I would so ‘borrow’ that from my husband—I wonder if it comes in my size?”

My husband recently brought home a similar design in a Ranger workout shirt with the tailored side panels, and I loved the look so much I asked for one for myself. Not only is the overall design unique and snazzy, but it exudes strength and power. The black woven hood gives it the look of Army pride while still keeping things casual.

Also, this jacket includes a United States flag patch on one sleeve, so I’m sold. #BecauseAmerica!

 

3. Cuckoo Clock

Finally, what I believe is the most unique yet concurrently useful product I’ve seen in my near decade as a military spouse in the realm of Army memorabilia is the “This We’ll Defend” U.S. Army Cuckoo Clock. We were “on the trail” a few years ago as a Drill Sergeant, so “This We’ll Defend” has extra special meaning to me. Oh, and the craftsmanship on this clock is just wow! So many details on this nearly two-foot-tall clock that you could probably be discovering something new to admire every hour on the hour for the first few days of ownership.

Unique features on this officially-licensed mahogany clock include the U.S. Army logo on the clock face, a dramatic zinc alloy eagle on the top, a very detailed illustration, and two flags that flank each side. And get this—since it is a cuckoo clock, every hour a bald eagle emerges as the U.S. Army Song, “The Army Goes Rolling Along,” plays to mark the time! This clock could easily be the pièce de résistance of any military family’s home.

 

If you have a military service member in your life you would like to honor, consider checking out any of the three aforementioned items or browse all of the military paraphernalia the Bradford Exchange has to offer.

I personally believe that I can never do enough to say “thank you” to my soldier, but if you want an official occasion to bless your loved one with a military gift from The Bradford Exchange, remember that Armed Forces Day is coming up on May 19, Father’s Day is June 17, and the Army’s 243rd birthday is on June 14. Also, any of these items would be a perfect fit for a promotion, retirement, homecoming, or birthday.

So, in preparation for our upcoming PCS, I must get myself motivated to go back and re-tackle the chaos that is our storage closet full of memories. I have no doubt that as I continue to sort through the piles, I will probably get caught up in the memories of the houses, transitions, various zip codes, deployments, homecomings, challenges, and victories that we’ve experienced as a military family. I don’t want to forget any of it!

I want to carry our military memories with us, and from where I’m sitting this PCS season, the Bradford Exchange is just the ticket.

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Sharita Knobloch

Sharita Knobloch

Sharita Knobloch has been married to her beloved infantryman husband Brandon for just shy of a decade. The joys and challenges of #ArmyWifeLife ignited her faith on a deep level, so she answered the call to ministry in July 2011. Soon after, Sharita received her Master’s Degree in Christian Leadership from Liberty University. She is currently in pursuit of her EdD in Educational Counseling with an emphasis in Pastoral Counseling, also from Liberty University. Sharita is not only an Army Wife, but is also a Tiny Human mama of two kiddos, a 6-year-old girl and a 2.5-year old boy. She is also a smallish-dog-owner, aspiring-runner, writer, speaker, and spiritual leadership coach. The Knobloch family believes that it is a great privilege to watch God work as they minister in their Army community, regardless of zip code or time zone. She has been serving with AWN in some capacity since February 2014 when she published her first blog for AWN, and has recently transitioned into the role of AWN Owner & Commander. Sharita gets way too excited about office supplies and journal shopping. She is a certified auctioneer, wore duct tape to senior prom (for a scholarship contest #DontJudge), loves napping, fitness, reading for fun, and cheering others on as they strive to reach their goals. Sharita overuses #Hashtags on a regular basis with #NoShame and frequently uses #America! as a verb.

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