[dzandiloo]

Wow. Interesting dilemma. I know you will get the spiel that the DZ badge belongs to DZ and all that, but the "lease for life" thing is a little shakey, and if a Founders badge didn't wind up back at HQ, for whatever reason, your mother-in-law clearly inherited the badge. My thought is, what DZ wouldn't be extremely attached to such a treasure!!!

I honestly think it would be devastating for something like that to end up in the hands of a collector, or worse, melted down--especially if HQ has no idea it exists. I don't think you should press the issue, just in case she does get a legacy someday...BUT, maybe you can ask her if she has made any provision for the badge in the event of her death, if she isn't able to give it to a legacy? If nothing else, maybe she can spell out in her will that the badge be returned to the DZ national historical museum?

Please feel free to pm me if you want to share any more details, or have any thoughts....