I tried. I really did. I took my old coat to the clothing-repair place in the building where I work and let the guy look it over. He did, but in the end, he said the coat was tattered beyond his ability to save. I suspect he was being a lazy bastard, unwilling to sew in some extra cloth, but maybe he was sincere. Anyway, I took some final shots of the old, tattered thing—a gift from my buddy Mike years and years ago when I was having a hard time—even putting the coat's liner back in place (by my lights, the coat is still perfectly functional). I'll be dropping the coat downstairs in our building's charity hamper on the B1 level; I hope it ends up with someone who really needs it. Goodbye, old friend. Onward to your new life.
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| my old coat, without its liner |
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| one major rip along the bottom |
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| another major rip along the bottom |
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| a smaller rip at the collar level |
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| a much bigger rip at the collar level |
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| same rip, different angle |
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| with the liner restored, and ready to give away in time for winter |
I did wash and dry the coat, of course. All this time, I've never figured out what military it comes from (write a comment if you think you know). My dad was adamant that it's not US issue. I think my buddy Mike had mentioned that the coat might have been for guards: the outer pockets are set somewhat high to make it uncomfortable for people to stuff their hands in during especially cold times, thus promoting vigilance. What the makers didn't count on, though, was a wearer with short T. rex arms like mine (my brothers have called me T. rex since we were young, the fuckers). I have no trouble with the high pockets.
The coat served me for years and years, getting me through many a winter. I'm truly sad to see it go, but nothing is forever, and since I have my new coat, it may be time to let nature do its thing, allowing the coat to flow to a new owner. Maybe some enterprising person who isn't lazy can actually repair the coat. That might be nice.
Au revoir, mon manteau! Et en avant!
Sadness. But it served faithfully for all these years. When I landed on your page and saw the photo, before reading anything I thought to myself, "That coat looks familiar." I'll raise a glass to your coat as it makes its final voyage to either a new home or a landfill.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed for a new home since the coat's going into an 의류수거함/euiryu-sugeo-ham, or a kind of collection hamper for clothing.
ReplyDeleteWhat really saddens me is that I can no longer remember when I first acquired the coat from you. Do you happen to remember?
All I can think is, "Thank you for your service." And thank you, Mike, for giving the coat to me.
One last RIP for the coat. You shared many adventures together, and the jacket will always live on in your memory.
ReplyDeleteThat is an excellent question about when I gave you the coat. I don't honestly remember. Did I leave it with you when I visited in Korea? I know I wore it there, but don't recall wearing it thereafter. It may have been then, or when you returned to the US for a visit in the early 2000s.
ReplyDeleteI've been mulling over the jacket. I can't recall if it was my uncle's jacket from when he was in the Navy. Or if I got it at a surplus store in college. Either way, I was pretty sure it was US military issue from some time ago. If it was my uncle's, he would have gotten it in the 1970s. It could have been older.. The label in the lining had some sort of number on it (if I remember) that I thought could be a "part number." The military likes to give part numbers to everything.