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WINNER #1
My favorite U.S. Find for September 2015 is the Inscribed Zippo Lighter belonging to Jerry Lynn Dyer, U.S. Army, discovered by Brian W. from Ohio with his Ace 350.
Brian brings this unique find to light and returns it in a special way. (edited) “I obtained permission at a friend’s vacant lot on July 29, 2015, and near the brick sidewalk I got a solid mixed tone signal about 8 inches deep. Digging it up I realized it was a zippo lighter with handwritten inscriptions: Jerry Lynn Dryer, Aug 1942, 101st Airborne. I researched online with no luck, then used the phone book and found his brother. From him I learned that Jerry (Gerald) was born August 1942, served his country from July 13, 1960 to February 1967. He served in the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne and received the National Defense Service medal as well as a sharpshooter medal. Since his return from active duty due to a brain injury, Jerry became estranged from family and old friends and became a loner.”
Brian continues, “The locals remember seeing Jerry around town and gave him the nickname Sgt. Walker because he was always in his uniform walking around town. Jerry died in 2005 and was buried at Veterans Square of Greenlawn Cemetery. I went there to find Jerry’s grave and return his lighter, a lighter that must have meant so much for him to put all that information on it by hand. Sadly I was not able to locate and pay my formal respects to Jerry, as there are several gravesites that do not have stones, just flags and war era flag holders. I did return his lighter to the flagpole of the cemetery. I felt it was the right thing to do. Most people would have only found a lighter. But for me I found a story about a man’s life who was willing to give everything so I could live in this great country of ours, swing my coil over the soil and find his lighter. I love finding history one beep at a time. First Capital Digger out.”
Brian W. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT!
Brian brings this unique find to light and returns it in a special way. (edited) “I obtained permission at a friend’s vacant lot on July 29, 2015, and near the brick sidewalk I got a solid mixed tone signal about 8 inches deep. Digging it up I realized it was a zippo lighter with handwritten inscriptions: Jerry Lynn Dryer, Aug 1942, 101st Airborne. I researched online with no luck, then used the phone book and found his brother. From him I learned that Jerry (Gerald) was born August 1942, served his country from July 13, 1960 to February 1967. He served in the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne and received the National Defense Service medal as well as a sharpshooter medal. Since his return from active duty due to a brain injury, Jerry became estranged from family and old friends and became a loner.”
Brian continues, “The locals remember seeing Jerry around town and gave him the nickname Sgt. Walker because he was always in his uniform walking around town. Jerry died in 2005 and was buried at Veterans Square of Greenlawn Cemetery. I went there to find Jerry’s grave and return his lighter, a lighter that must have meant so much for him to put all that information on it by hand. Sadly I was not able to locate and pay my formal respects to Jerry, as there are several gravesites that do not have stones, just flags and war era flag holders. I did return his lighter to the flagpole of the cemetery. I felt it was the right thing to do. Most people would have only found a lighter. But for me I found a story about a man’s life who was willing to give everything so I could live in this great country of ours, swing my coil over the soil and find his lighter. I love finding history one beep at a time. First Capital Digger out.”
Brian W. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT!
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WINNER #2
My second favorite U.S. find is the Massachusetts Militia Officer Sword Buckle Plate, found by Patrick L. from Massachusetts with his AT Pro.
Patrick discovers a rare find. (edited) “I bought my first entry level detector in September 2014. By January 2015 I was addicted to the hobby and bought my beloved AT Pro. Finding this buckle was the result of 30% research, 20% intuition and 50% luck. Last winter I researched locations trying to hit a promising virgin or lightly detected spot. One of them was by a riverbank, so in late August I loaded the kayak and went on my first river hunt. I searched the shallows and the water’s edge. Was lucky enough to put my coil on the right spot. Gave me a mid to high 70 at 8” deep. Now, being still relatively new to the hobby I learned a lesson that day: Come prepared with the right tools, and if you start a dig, go all the way. It was under a bunch of river bushes and roots and I had nothing but my hands and a small shovel to cut them. Painful. Took me a while. The only reason I kept going was the sound in my headset: Nice and crisp. Finally got it in my hands. I knew immediately it was a buckle and I recognized the state of Mass emblem but did not realize what I was looking at. Just though "Nice!" and put it away. A few minutes later about 5' away I found what I believe to be the top of a lantern. When I got back home I could not find much information about the buckle, so I posted a picture on Treasurenet.com and quickly realized that I had found an extremely rare and unique item: a State of Massachusetts militia officer sword buckle plate.”
Patrick L. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT!
Patrick discovers a rare find. (edited) “I bought my first entry level detector in September 2014. By January 2015 I was addicted to the hobby and bought my beloved AT Pro. Finding this buckle was the result of 30% research, 20% intuition and 50% luck. Last winter I researched locations trying to hit a promising virgin or lightly detected spot. One of them was by a riverbank, so in late August I loaded the kayak and went on my first river hunt. I searched the shallows and the water’s edge. Was lucky enough to put my coil on the right spot. Gave me a mid to high 70 at 8” deep. Now, being still relatively new to the hobby I learned a lesson that day: Come prepared with the right tools, and if you start a dig, go all the way. It was under a bunch of river bushes and roots and I had nothing but my hands and a small shovel to cut them. Painful. Took me a while. The only reason I kept going was the sound in my headset: Nice and crisp. Finally got it in my hands. I knew immediately it was a buckle and I recognized the state of Mass emblem but did not realize what I was looking at. Just though "Nice!" and put it away. A few minutes later about 5' away I found what I believe to be the top of a lantern. When I got back home I could not find much information about the buckle, so I posted a picture on Treasurenet.com and quickly realized that I had found an extremely rare and unique item: a State of Massachusetts militia officer sword buckle plate.”
Patrick L. WINS a Pro-Pointer AT!
