For the vast majority of his 89 years, Jim Chavers has collected souvenirs from his journeys around the United States and abroad.
Mementos throughout his eastern Savannah home mark long road trips during his time with the U.S. Customs Service and vacations with his late wife, June.
But three relics from his days as a U.S. Marine especially stand out in the lifelong Savannahian’s mind: A Japanese Army uniform and two flags he found while fighting on the island of Iwo Jima. Soon the items will be put on display at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.
“It’s one of the nicest museums I’ve ever been to … so I decided, all these souvenirs — I’m having to get rid of them as I’m getting along in age — I wanted to donate them to a place that would take care of them,” he said. “Through a friend we took care of it, and I think they are as pleased about it as (I am) because they said they didn’t have a Japanese uniform.”
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