Check out a recent custom-ordered Coast Guard retirement chest made for a fellow air winger.
This Military chest is made from solid wood, we use premium select pine, as it contains less knots and is smoother in texture. This version of the chest measures approximately 24” long x 16” wide x 20” tall.
These measurements allow for a 3” lid/flag display/shadowbox embedded inside the lid, and another 2-3” shadow box tray to sit inside. This chest was custom-ordered to measure a bit deeper chest includes another 14” inches underneath to store a retirement gift – the recipient’s decommissioned flight helmet.
On the outside of the chest we added the recipient’s name, air crew wings, and dates of service.
In front of the chest we added the US Coast Guard Logo on the left side, and an Eagle on the right side to represent the recipient’s Commissioned service.
The inside of the chest is full of personalization as well. The inside of the lid includes room for two flags to be displayed – such as a Coast Guard flag and an American flag.
The center is lined with blue felt, to allow for ribbons, badges, pictures, plaques to be pinned or attached.
While the inside of the lid serves as a shadowbox (behind removable plexiglass), this retirement chest also contains a shadowbox tray, backed with blue felt, which can be used to display ribbons, medals, pins, patches, badges and more!
The chest is accented by glossy, gold-hinges, latches and corners through the chest. The handles were made from 5/8” thick manilla rope which pays tribute to military service, naval traditions and give it a rugged and rustic feel.
This chest can be presented as-is, or filled with additional gifts personalized for the recipients. Suggestions include unit patches, coins, a folded flag, books, a nice bottle 😉, a nice congratulatory cigar, etc.
What would you put in yours?