In a world where the past often fades into memory, Brendan Gibbons stands as a passionate guardian of military history. Motivated by a deep connection with his grandfather Richard, a World War II veteran, Gibbons has dedicated himself to preserving the memories and artifacts of a bygone era.
Richard Gibbons’ passing in 2018 could have marked the end of a shared hobby. However, Brendan chose to honor his grandfather’s legacy by immersing himself further into their mutual passion: keeping the history of World War II alive through the collection and preservation of memorabilia.
The duo, during Richard’s lifetime, frequently attended estate sales, rescuing military uniforms and memorabilia that might have otherwise been discarded. “When older generations pass away, there’s uniforms and documents and old photos,” Gibbons explained to a local CBS affiliate. “And people often say, what am I going to do with this? Toss it out? Don’t. Call people like me. We’re all over the world, because we’ll save it.”
From Hobby to Home Museum
Brendan and Richard Gibbons meticulously researched every item they collected, aiming to uncover the narratives behind each artifact. These pieces were not hidden away; instead, they were displayed with pride, almost as if in a museum, each telling a unique story of the past.
What did he do? What did he live through? How did his life turn out? Did he make it out?
For Gibbons, understanding these stories means recognizing that a veteran’s life continues beyond their military service.
Restoring the Past: Vehicles and More
The Gibbons partnership extended beyond collecting artifacts; they also restored World War II-era vehicles. Through their venture, Gibbons Military Motors, they showcased these vintage vehicles in parades from New York’s Capital Region to Manhattan. Young Brendan would often ride in the back, dressed in military attire, while his grandfather took the wheel.
One notable project was the restoration of an old Army jeep named “Dolly” in 2014. “What you see here is reproduction seats, tires and a top,” Gibbons stated. “Everything else we left in, including the original 60 horsepower motor.”
Despite his grandfather’s absence, Brendan remains committed to honoring Richard and all World War II veterans through his restoration work, aiming to educate future generations. “We want to work with schools and bring stuff to them and say, ‘Here’s the WWII uniform’ or ‘Here’s a photo, here’s documents.’ You can learn about this person,” he shared.
In addition to World War II artifacts, Brendan proudly displays his great-grandfather’s cap and uniform from World War I. With approximately 45,000 American World War II veterans still alive today, according to the National World War II Museum, Gibbons’ efforts are more crucial than ever.
Each piece Brendan Gibbons saves is a tribute to his grandfather and a commitment to preserving history. “It tells a story, it’s incredible,” he remarked. “Don’t just get rid of this stuff. I would like to think my grandfather and his friends would be proud of what I’m doing.”
If you have memorabilia you believe might interest Gibbons, you can reach him at gibbonsmilitary2010@gmail.com.
