Gift for newly winged son?

[gotta_fly]

Just my non-winged $.02:

As an alternative, my mom had my grandfather's AF wings framed with his service photo from back in the day and a small steel plate (AF name tag style I guess) with his name and rank engraved on it. It's a classy tribute and will always have a place of honor in my home.

I obviously can't wear his, but even if I could I would be a little hesitant given the day-to-day abuse that the rest of my insignia takes. This way I get to see them and show them off and they stay safe so I can pass them on some day.

 

[MasterBates]

Nice wings (real solid gold or heirlooms) are for "formal days only".. I would never wear them on Khakis or to say dining outs.

 

[exhelodrvr]

Thanks for your input. When the ceremony is closer, I will have to ask (here) about how to arrange for the wings to be used in the ceremony.

You can go to the ceremony yourself.

 

[snamom2]

We will be there, for sure! I have no idea what the ceremony is like, or what it entails, and I don't want to embarass my son.

Thanks to all for your input; I appreciate your perspectives and suggestions.

 

[MIDNJAC]

We will be there, for sure! I have no idea what the ceremony is like, or what it entails, and I don't want to embarass my son.

Thanks to all for your input; I appreciate your perspectives and suggestions.

From a student's perspective, I guarantee it will not be embarrasing for your son to get pinned with such meaningful wings of gold!

 

[efini_kid]

giving your son his grandpa's wings is an awesome gift! i think there is no better gift! especially you can get inscribed on the back both of their initials and winging dates.

 

[BlkPny]

You can be present at your son's winging ceremony, and you and your family will be invited to go up on stage (or in front of the flag) and pin his new wings on. They will have a set of wings for him and all you have to do is tell the presiding officer "No thanks, I brought his grandfather's wings". They will be more than happy to let you use those older wings. I pinned my original wings on my daughter, and it was no problem.

Also, +1 for having both their names engraved on the back. Even if they are worn or tarnished, they are a treasure.

 

[ZekeBathory]

We will be there, for sure! I have no idea what the ceremony is like, or what it entails, and I don't want to embarass my son.

Thanks to all for your input; I appreciate your perspectives and suggestions.

I just wanted to commend you on your conscientiousness. It's refreshing to see someone take such pride and pay good attention to the particulars of military service.

My mom still thinks I was in the Army.

I assure you the last thing your son will feel is embarrassment.

 

[HeyJoe]

.....and I don't want to embarass my son.

I had my mom pin my wings on me. The photo has been on display ever since in the family room where she can see it from her favorite sitting spot.

 

[MasterBates]

I recommend having mom put on wings over GFs, Fiancées or possibly even wives.

I haven't burnt my winging picture YET.. But I want to because of who is in it.

 

[HeyJoe]

I recommend having mom put on wings over GFs, Fiancées or possibly even wives.

I haven't burnt my winging picture YET.. But I want to because of who is in it.

Photoshop might be the answer to fix that.

 

[villanelle]

I recommend having mom put on wings over GFs, Fiancées or possibly even wives.

I haven't burnt my winging picture YET.. But I want to because of who is in it.

Husband probably agress with you. I suspect his mom wouldn't have hit quite as hard as me and she surely wouldn't have drawn blood.

He winged at a ceremony at NHA and the captain (I think??) who was MCing seemed very amused, however.

 

[phrogpilot73]

I recommend having mom put on wings over GFs, Fiancées or possibly even wives.

I haven't burnt my winging picture YET.. But I want to because of who is in it.

If your Mom flies down to Norfolk, PSW and I will be willing to do the required photographic/photoshop work to fix that...

FWIW - My Dad pinned mine on, but I do have a picture with the ex - the one who liked Tiffany's...

 

[NavAir42]

We will be there, for sure! I have no idea what the ceremony is like, or what it entails, and I don't want to embarass my son.

It will be pretty hard to embarrass your son on his winging day.

Giving him his grandfather's gold wings is a great idea. There are very few things more jealously guarded than a naval aviators wings. Having them come from his grandfather will make them that much more special.

We have a couple pilots in the squadron that have their grandfather's or dad's wings. One set is the World War II style with the lapel pin style instead of the dual posts. While the dual post style is more common, no one is ever going to take flak for wearing the other style, especially if it's passed down from a grandfather.

 

[snamom2]

Since I have two sets, one of each style, I was thinking of giving him the dual post style rather than the other.

Thanks again to all who have been so helpful.