[emb021]

As someone who collections APO stuff and studies our history, I can add a few things.

The use of service pins & pledge pins dates from 1939 (pledge pin)/1941 (service pin). The service pin was created to give us a low-cost alternative to the badge, which remains the basic emblem of membership. The first service pin cost about 25cents vs $3-4 bucks for the badge. Today the service pin runs $5 vs $40 for the badge. $40 is a LOT for many people, especially students, which is why we still use the service pin (heck, when I got the badge about 10 years ago it was around $20). I can't believe anyone who seriously question why we still use the service pin...

For myself, I have many APO items in my personal collection. For basic wear, I wear my Life Member pin. For more formal occasions, I'll wear my badge with chapter guard & dangles, prehaps with my Torchbearer pin. I have 3 DSKs and the Horton Award, which I'll also wear when appropiate.

I really can't think of any additional items I'd like to see the National Store carry, beyond what it is. I do think an advisor pin or badge might be an idea, but don't know if I'll ever propose it or not.