Shadow Box Presentation, Lore & Construction

Lore of the Shadow Box

According to some accounts of naval history and tradition, when a sailor retires and is departing the ship for the last time, it's considered bad luck for the sailor's shadow to touch land before he/she does. Thus, the sailor's shipmates would construct a sturdy box, hand-crafted of the finest materials, in which to display mementos of the sailor's accomplishments -- thereby symbolically creating a "shadow" of the sailor. The box safely contains the sailor's "shadow" until he/she is safely ashore, at which time the shadow box can be given to the sailor in a presentation ceremony.

Historically, when a sailor would join a ship's crew, he would join that ship for his entire career. During the sailor's voyages to ports of call around the world, he would collect many trinkets, souvenirs, and reminders of his travels. Naturally, as space aboard ship was at a premium, these items tended to be small. When the sailor piped ashore for the last time, his shipmates saw to it that a special ceremonial box was constructed for him. The box would hold all the possessions that had been collected during those many voyages, a and would simultaneously symbolize the sailor's career and time aboard ship.

Ideally, a shadow box serves not only as a reminder of achievements and accomplishments, but also as a summation, a culmination, of a career. A shadow box should enable a stranger glancing at its contents to gain a substantial understanding of the owner's past service and achievements.

Shadow Box Presentation

Our Shadow Boxes are born of an ancient naval tradition that's still practiced today, both in the militaries of the world and throughout civilian life. The Shadow Box is laden with items that represent the recipient's service or accomplishments or achievements.

The US military is one of our best repeat customers. They present our shadow boxes to their retirees. And while shadow boxes are great gifts for military retirees, they're also perfect and completely appropriate for many other recipients. Our personalized shadow boxes are great for: Eagle Scouts. House warmings. Newlyweds. Retirees. Schools & classrooms. Graduates. Soldiers. New citizens. And any person or group that deserves special attention and recognition. and any person, group or occasion that deserves special attention and recognition.

Still, all military retirees and honorees, from E-5 to O-10, deserve a quality shadow box. Leadership should ensure that this tradition is followed, fostered, and nourished, and that retirees and distinguished individuals receive a shadow box.

The shadow box is typically laden with personal items that depict advancement and achievements. These may include personal awards, medals, duty stations, insignia, rating badges and uniform devices that indicate progression through various military ranks. A boatswain's whistle may even be included as a reminder of both service aboard ship and the ceremony at which the shadow box was presented. Boatswain's whistles are often used at various ceremonies, such as naval retirements.

The national flag is placed inside the shadow box to symbolize the country that has benefited from the faithful service of the recipient of the shadow box.

Naval presentation of a shadow box can be accompanied with the following speech. Naturally, it can be modified as circumstances dictate.

"On behalf of your fellow shipmates, we present you with this shadow box. Within the shadow box lie a sailor's most honored and cherished possessions, including the flag of the United States of America, representing a lifetime of valiant and faithful service."


	Lore of the Shadow Box According to some accounts of naval history and tradition, when a sailor retires and is departing the ship for the last time, it's considered bad luck for the sailor's shadow to touch land before he/she does. Thus, the sailor's shipmates would construct a sturdy box, hand-crafted of the finest materials, in which to display mementos of the sailor's accomplishments -- thereby symbolically creating a "shadow" of the sailor. The box safely contains the sailor's "shadow" until he/she is safely ashore, at which time the shadow box can be given to the sailor in a presentation ceremony. Historically, when a sailor would join a ship's crew, he would join that ship for his entire career. During the sailor's voyages to ports of call around the world, he would collect many trinkets, souvenirs, and reminders of his travels. Naturally, as space aboard ship was at a premium, these items tended to be small. When the sailor piped ashore for the last time, his shipmates saw to it that a special ceremonial box was constructed for him. The box would hold all the possessions that had been collected during those many voyages, a and would simultaneously symbolize the sailor's career and time aboard ship. Ideally, a shadow box serves not only as a reminder of achievements and accomplishments, but also as a summation, a culmination, of a career. A shadow box should enable a stranger glancing at its contents to gain a substantial understanding of the owner's past service and achievements. Shadow Box Presentation Our Shadow Boxes are born of an ancient naval tradition that's still practiced today, both in the militaries of the world and throughout civilian life. The Shadow Box is laden with items that represent the recipient's service or accomplishments or achievements. The US military is one of our best repeat customers. They present our shadow boxes to their retirees. And while shadow boxes are great gifts for military retirees, they're also perfect and completely appropriate for many other recipients. Our personalized shadow boxes are great for: Eagle Scouts. House warmings. Newlyweds. Retirees. Schools & classrooms. Graduates. Soldiers. New citizens. And any person or group that deserves special attention and recognition. and any person, group or occasion that deserves special attention and recognition. Still, all military retirees and honorees, from E-5 to O-10, deserve a quality shadow box. Leadership should ensure that this tradition is followed, fostered, and nourished, and that retirees and distinguished individuals receive a shadow box. The shadow box is typically laden with personal items that depict advancement and achievements. These may include personal awards, medals, duty stations, insignia, rating badges and uniform devices that indicate progression through various military ranks. A boatswain's whistle may even be included as a reminder of both service aboard ship and the ceremony at which the shadow box was presented. Boatswain's whistles are often used at various ceremonies, such as naval retirements. The national flag is placed inside the shadow box to symbolize the country that has benefited from the faithful service of the recipient of the shadow box. Naval presentation of a shadow box can be accompanied with the following speech. Naturally, it can be modified as circumstances dictate. "On behalf of your fellow shipmates, we present you with this shadow box. Within the shadow box lie a sailor's most honored and cherished possessions, including the flag of the United States of America, representing a lifetime of valiant and faithful service."	The Fleet Admiral $149.77 5X9.5 Fleet Admiral, Hand-Crafted Solid Red Oak with Oak Finish See our full line of shadow boxes and flag cases! Our top-of-the-line, US-made Shadow Box. Solid, lustrous Red Oak with sliding glass front. Displays & protects a flag & cherished items. For 5X9.5 flags. Click shadow box for larger image. You can place a message plaque on the middle section of the shadow box, if desired. Now comes with a free message plaque! About Our Shadow Boxes & Cases Each of our name brand, US-made shadow boxes and flag cases is made of the finest quality materials and crafted by hand in the United States by expert craftspeople. Our cases are made the old-fashioned way, by artisans of wood who love what they do, and who have been making our flag cases and shadow boxes for over 20 years as a second-generation family business. The impeccable quality of their work is why we proudly offer these flag cases and shadow boxes to you, our customer. We know you'll love your flag case or shadow box as much as the countless other customers around the world -- be they military customers or civilians -- who love theirs. Our US-made flag cases and shadow boxes feature quality solid wood -- not plastic or laminated particle board found in lesser-quality products. Our featured solid woods are the sturdy, beautiful Red Oak, and the fine, attractive Northern Red Pine. Our cases feature real sliding glass panels -- not plastic. They can be hung on a wall or placed upright. Our cases & shadow boxes are constructed for attractive display and durability. In fact, as each shadow box is made by hand, it's akin to a piece of quality, hand-crafted furniture, where each shadow box receives individual and exacting attention to detail. Our shadow boxes are a great way to commemorate someone who has served or achieved something special. Personalize your shadow box with an engraved message plaque, and make your gift a memory to last a lifetime. Finish Guide to US-made Cases & Shadow Boxes Walnut Finish Light Maple Finish Oak Finish Finish Guide to Non-Domestic-Made Flag Cases Cherry Finish Oak Finish