Sometime I can go a whole day absent an idea or thought on what to make next. It disturbs me when that happens. You see I don’t relish idle time in my life. I like challenges and really like it when others appreciate a never before seen piece when I am finished. Completely unique, one of a kind, hand made with antique, vintage, reclaimed materials.

There is only one thing to do. Search my hoard, some may call it collections, it is old and many things I have had for 50 years, that I bought because I liked them. My inventory is always at hand, I look. Not having the most organized, labeled or knowledge of all that is near, sometimes significant effort is called for. I still have boxes that I have not opened for decades.

All of that being said my pursuit was on, my task set and a rummaging I went. I am always delighted when I find something that immediately generates the light bulb in my minds eye. You following this – generator, electricity, lights the bulb, a metaphor - idea. An idea on a new piece of art is formed. I use the word art because that is what others often call it, me not so much.

As I pursued a stack of boxes that have not been attended to for I don’t know how long my quest led to their opening. After opening a number of boxes and finding really cool stuff but nothing particularly motivating I did at last find one that did. This box contained a dozen or so of World War I bayonets marked 1903. I knew I had them but had not seen them for some time. I know I bought them 40 years ago.

Voila! Game on. Included in my wealth of useless knowledge is history, military history. I had found my center piece for my tribute, a World War I bayonet. I now began piling up complimentary items. This piling up process led me to my container of antique and vintage military insignia, and a shelf with WWI model 1907 leather rifle slings marked 1918 with the manufacturers stamp and the military inspectors initials and a box of old 30-06 Springfield ammunition in stripper clips that was used in WWI.

Selection of the right century old reclaimed oak planks, old brass frames and some one inch hemp rope and it was now a matter of creating a display that was aesthetically pleasing to me, I hope to others and does the military of WWI justice.

Shrinking my brain I did recall that as part of General Pershing’s American Expeditionary Force to France was a contingent of United States Marines. Further, they were nicknamed Devil Dogs as a result of there courage, tenacity and fierceness in battle. I find this fascinating. So with a dangerous mind I pay tribute to those brave U. S. Marines and the sacrifices they made for their country during the Great War.