Ginger Snap Box with Jason Rusk’s Military Pins and Awards

2006

Looking at the Fence, one notices a strange variety of items. On the one hand, plenty of items have what seem to be clear purposes. Badges left for or by first responders, pictures honoring victims and notes fall into this category. On the other hand, one also finds items like bracelets, toys and keychains, which feel random, given on impulse and whose meanings are hard to discern.

Every now and then, an item appears that marries these two ideas. With this item, one is immediately drawn to the military medals, badges and the heartfelt note, “Oklahoma I serve for you!” Military patches and notes are some of the more profound and heartfelt items the Fence receives. However, likely lacking a better way to attach the many badges and awards to the Fence, this individual pinned them to what he had on hand: a cookie box. This item combines the profound with the lighthearted, the solemn with the whimsical, and thus perfectly encapsulates the many ways the Fence allows people to honor the victims.