Gifts That Say You Care

The other day I went into the local Army/Navy Surplus Store with some friends. It's really kind of a fun store. They have all sorts of... stuff.

One corner of the store has some new clothes that would be great for camping or hiking. Another corner has used military clothing like Army digital camo jackets and Navy pea coats and Air Force flight suits. The center of the store has all sorts of camping gear and supplies. Then you turn a corner and there are stacks and stacks of Israeli army duffle bags next to the British navy wool blankets.

In a bin next to the duffle bags and wool blankets, they have these full-head military extreme cold face warmers that look like a cross between a Jason hockey mask and Hannibal Lechter face mask. Imagine combining one of those with some used military clothing and you can have a pretty freaky (and really warm) Halloween costume.

I plan on going back and spending a few bucks.

Anyway, as we were leaving the store, I noticed they had this display case that showed some pretty cool vintage military gear. On the bottom shelf there is a clip of some large-caliber ammo, a grenade-looking thing, a pretty wicked-looking knife of some sort (which is actually a Vietnam-era LC-14-B Type IV Survival Ax - thanks Google!), and a little propaganda booklet that says, "He's due for a hole in the head, are you?" That picture might be Hitler... I can't quite tell.

The middle shelf had some more cool stuff: a medal, a patch, some random ammo, a booklet or calendar-thing, some aviator goggles, and a really cool-looking helmet and facemask with a filtration canister (Speaking of freaky Halloween costumes). Imagine coming upon a guy wearing that thing in the dark... or daylight. Wow.

The top shelf had some books, a couple more patches, and some old miltary hats. Then I noticed what was written on the side of the display case:

"Gifts that say you care."

Really.

Because nothing says you care more than a scary gas mask, a grenade, and a LC-14-B Type IV Survival Ax.

By the way, who's turn is it to get me presents for Christmas?