[Phil14]

A buddy of mine was an SF Captain in Vietnam. His retirement job from the Sheriffs Department was working at an LGS that I was also working at, at the time. I was a lost young 20 year old with a love for guns. He talked me into joining the Army as my grandfather had done.

He was shot by the VC on the Laotian border during his last tour with a Russian SKS and subsequently acquired one for spiteful memory. I got a call today…

He is no 78 years old with failing health. I am now 37 with 16 years in service and on my way to retirement. He told me that he was liquidating his collection and wanted me to have his 1955 Russian SKS. Now we already have several in the family, but hearing that I was getting one for free never hurt so bad. My youth hero is seeing the end to the point where he’d give me something so personal, and although a great score, I’ve never so much guilt over it.

 

[Tom Paine]

It is hard to watch the ones we looked up to fade away. That is a kind gift from him, and he'll be there everytime you look at it, shoot it, clean it.

 

[mustbeme]

Okay so what else is in his collection?


It's not guilt you are feeling just perhaps the stark realization that we all die. Seriously if you know him well enough, draft up the story about the rifle and document the story you just told us. Would be a great tribute to your friend to be able to show others how you acquired it.

 

[Sorry Dude]

You obviously meant something to the man, he wants you to have it for a reason. Accept it with pride and keep his story and memory alive.

 

[bfoosh006]

Solid thread.

Remind him what his gift means to you. I am sure you have, but did you tell him the whole story ?
A lot of us get tongue tied when something so meaningful happens to us.

 

[Milsurp Obsession]

I dread this day. I'm 37 as well and my father is in his 70's. Still sound in mind and body, but I know the time will come, and it will crush me.

 

[MuppetMeat4Me]

He has the opportunity to steer it your way, before he doesn't. Better than just blinking out with no direction.

If you're able to swing it, go say thanks in person, and be grateful for that time, and what preceded.

 

[Tom Paine]

Very solid advice from all.

In my 70's now, making ready for this in my future. We are long lived in general in our family, but being prepared is good.

 

[15636215]

69 here in very poor health, thinking of that time.

 

[m14brian]

Sorry for what y'all are going through. Giving a firearm to someone is a very personal thing. I have one or two of my favorites I plan on seeing their way to a couple friends when that time comes.
m14brian

 

[TCAF]

Wow, that's tough and I feel your pain. That rifle will always remind you of someone that made a huge positive impact in your life however, and that's something not a lot of people can say. It also says something about how much he respects you, cherish it!

 

[Brian74]

I'm sure it hurts now but I believe as time passes whenever you pull that rifle out you'll only have fond memories .

 

[Dougboffl]

I would respectfully suggest you type up a more detailed account of his time in the service, his being shot, acquiring the SKS, how you two met, that he gave you inspiration, how you became a career solider and how he gifted you the SKS, include the serial number and maybe a pic of him holding the SKS. Then print it out on some fine paper and both of you date & sign it - two copies. It would make a nice framed documentation one for each of you as a tribute/memorial.

 

[jkv45]

A family friend was a B17 Captain during the war, and paid a heavy price. He never got over losing crew members, and had frequent nightmares. He was on almost all the big raids during the height of the war. He was very quiet and humble.

He showed me photos he had taken from the cockpit during raids on Germany, showing flak bursts close by, German fighters, and other B17s going down.

After finishing the album, he went into his room and came back with a set of Captain's Bars and wings, which he gave to me.

Years later, I introduced him to my son, then probably about 14. He showed my son the album, and after going through it, gave him his last set of Captains Bars. Not long after, he passed.

These items are some of my most prized possessions, and a great reminder of the sacrifices of a true American Hero.

Cherish your friend's gift, and appreciate that he chose you to be the caretaker of something so special to him. He knew you understood its significance.

 

[Rotorhead1]

Mortality…something we all will face eventually. Accept your friends gift…… sit with him to share a drink and your time …he will appreciate it more then you can imagine. Do it as often as your can. You will remember and hold dear the time you spent with him.
I just celebrated my 75th BD a few weeks ago. I retired, Naval Air, after almost thirty years of service and several thousand hours of flight time. Friends and family are dropping. Lost a dear friend recently….wish we has spent more time together.

 

[SteedGun]

Congrats on the honor. For someone to select you as the recipient of a fine weapon like that means a lot. Sorry about your mentor and friend. Recently, I have lost too many of them. If I were you I would shoot that SKS often to help remember and it is OK to remember and at times be very sad. This guy below was my good friend and cardiologist. He was one of a special breed of men. I taught him how to shoot and helped him and his daughter pick out guns. We lost him to COVID. Life is never fair.

 

[Phil14]

I would just love to find him an old pair of SOG Tiger Stripes and lend him one of our wood stock LRBs (he held a definitive hate for the M-16) then stand by him with my OCPs and M4. That would make the photo op/memory of a lifetime.

 

[Tom Paine]

A family friend was a B17 Captain during the war, and paid a heavy price. He never got over losing crew members, and had frequent nightmares. He was on almost all the big raids during the height of the war. He was very quiet and humble.

He showed me photos he had taken from the cockpit during raids on Germany, showing flak bursts close by, German fighters, and other B17s going down.

After finishing the album, he went into his room and came back with a set of Captain's Bars and wings, which he gave to me.

Years later, I introduced him to my son, then probably about 14. He showed my son the album, and after going through it, gave him his last set of Captains Bars. Not long after, he passed.

These items are some of my most prized possessions, and a great reminder of the sacrifices of a true American Hero.

Cherish your friend's gift, and appreciate that he chose you to be the caretaker of something so special to him. He knew you understood its significance.

Deeply moving. Thank you.

 

[WYGrizzly]

I have had the good fortune and honor two know quite well 3 WWII vets, 2 Korean vets, and 1 Vietnam vet. Many of us know there are things that just don't get talked about very much. All of them shared with me a cup of coffee or a glass of Jack Daniels, usually w/out ice or water, their life's experiences. I have no tangible item from any of them. I do have something much more valuable, memories! And those memories can never be misplaced or forgotten, they are mine to call up whenever I wish. Thanks to all for tolerating my little speech. God speed boys!

 

[Jarhead504]

Sorry for what y'all are going through. Giving a firearm to someone is a very personal thing. I have one or two of my favorites I plan on seeing their way to a couple friends when that time comes.
m14brian

I plan on doing the same and sooner than I want to, but it's coming; QUICK.

Jarhead