Sunday, February 20, 2011

In the Service, Sweetheart.

Look what came in the mail yesterday!



It's a brass (?) pin, about an inch wide. I wonder who bought it for his girlfriend, and if he is still alive today?



The internet tells me:

"The tradition of sending home keepsake items actually started during World War I when the strain of the Great War made keeping in touch with the folks back home seem even more important. The sweetheart custom continued when the U.S. faced more formidable opponents during World War II. One of the favorite ways to show patriotism and feel close to those serving our country was expressed through wearing a special piece of jewelry reflecting the branch of service a sweetheart, son or brother was representing. Whether in the form of a necklace, bracelet or pin, these patriotic symbols provide a heart-felt look back at the 1940s and beyond."




Good to know.
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13 comments:

  1. CeeFebruary 20, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    Oh that's one I haven't seen before! I love it :) I have a US Navy broach with a lucite heart hanging from a bow. I'm always on the lookout for more Sweetheart jewelery!

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  2. Mint PalaceFebruary 20, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    That's such a beautiful sentiment. And such a beautiful pin. Thanks for sharing :)

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  3. Andi B. GoodeFebruary 20, 2011 at 1:07 PM

    Oh, that's just too lovely! So sweet.
    -Andi x

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  4. UnknownFebruary 20, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    Aw that is just so romantic and lovely. My boyfriend brought me a simular pin but it has swallows on it, I wonder if it would have been along the same lines. It's from the UK though, was Service sweetheart just a US thing I wonder? x

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  5. lindybugFebruary 21, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    I love sweetheart pins! I'm looking for a cute Marine Corps sweetheart pin, but I keep getting outbid on ebay!

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  6. The Thriftaholic (Leilani)February 23, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    I liked hearing about the history behind this pin-- I've never seen one like it before. I have a few sweetheart lockets and a bracelet from the WWII-era.

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  7. SamFebruary 23, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    Its not just a US thing. I have a couple of Australian ones that belonged to my boyfriends grandmother one is an infantry pin and the other is a combined services pin. Ive been pestering him to get me an Australian Army sweetheart pin, they are a mini version of the rising sun. I could of course just wear one of his hat badges but it may look a little silly as they are quite large lol. They are such a wonderful thing. Its a pity that they arent still used really.

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  8. AnonymousFebruary 23, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    That's adorable!

    http://makasea.wordpress.com/

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  9. Lexy MademydayMarch 7, 2011 at 5:18 AM

    I didn't know about this lovable pins! I'm about to do some research...;)

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  10. HeliMarch 17, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    Hello! I am honoured to bestow upon you Stylish Blogger Award because of the grand job you are doing in this blog!

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  11. Georgia RoseMarch 20, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    Aw, I just discovered your blog and what a lovely lovely post. I love the romance behind a simple accessory like that.

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  12. RebeccakMarch 24, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    Simply adorable!

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  13. Miss MarieMay 18, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    This is wonderful! And you inspired me to go off and hunt for my own WWII pin on ebay... I've now got an RAF pin arriving some day soon.

    And I promise to link to your blog and give you credit when I probably write about it on my own fledgling blog!

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