I am looking for some gift ideas and feed back on what I am thinking of getting my brother who is retiring from the USAF. (20 YEARS!!)
So, we are relatively young, (our ages, 30, 34, 38, 42) its my 38 year old brother who is retiring, We've lost both of our parents already, so its just us, aunts, uncles and cousins. (No grandparents, all died before I was born)
So, I want to get him something but I don't know what!! I'm guessing his friends and fellow AF people will get him Air Force stuff, I was thinking of getting him tickets to his favorite sports teams game, a night at a nice hotel for him and his wife, since he's always away I'd watch his kids, "mini honeymoon" they have 5 boys!
Or/and I was thinking of making a home movie that would include pictures of him when he was younger, and putting in messages from our Aunts and Uncles congratulating him?? is that TOO sappy?? I'm at a total loss! BUT I have until October to figure it out.
What a nice gesture, I think he would love anything you do. Our families did not do anything for us when my husband retired from the AF.
If he is a decorated service member - (thank him for his service and sacrifices please) a tri-fold flag holder with his medals would be a great idea. I would check with his unit to find out if they are doing anything.
The collage movie would be very nice...especially if it included any deployments or pictures of him working....I wouldn't forget the people he served with either....
A weekend getaway would be nice too!!
I like the weekend away. Or you could give him a fancy Grill for cook outs, a hammock.. Something he can enjoy while relaxing.
I like your ideas! I think they are all great. If he likes sports, he might
enjoy going to the game w/his wife while you watch the kids.
I do, also, like adding the home made movie. If it's too hard to get the
aunts/uncles saying congrats, just put together the movie or photo
montage.
Tell him thank you for his service. My household & entire extended
family appreciate it!!!
This is something that my husband's unit does for everyone who retires. If your brother's unit doesn't already do it, it could come from you. They take a photo of the entrance to their base as seen in a car's rearview mirror, and have it nicely framed. If your brother doesn't already have a framed folded flag, you could mount the photo in the same frame with a flag. And if you happen to know anyone in his unit, maybe you could ask them to secretly have everyone sign the matting that goes around the photo. I know it's a big hit in my husband's unit. They all really look forward to it. Hope that helps.
