You’ll spot movies and TV shows with military characters wearing rows of medals. Sometimes Hollywood gets it right, but sometimes they toss history and regulations aside for drama. Official ceremonies, Veterans Day parades, and even news stories usually feature real military decorations. If you spot a ribbon or medal you don’t recognize, sites like The Institute of Heraldry, the Veterans Affairs website, or trusted military museums provide tons of resources and visuals to help you figure out what it is.
A bit of curiosity and research goes a long way, and you can stumble upon loads of history tucked into each medal and ribbon. Appreciating this helps honor the people who have served, while bringing more meaning to the traditions that continue today.
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