Last year while cleaning out a closet I found my old Army duffel bag with an almost complete fatigue uniform. I have boots, socks, trousers, belt, shirt, and hat. The only thing missing was the earplugs case. I was in an artillery unit, and we were very strict about wearing the earplug container on the uniform at all times. I thought that it would be very easy to buy an earplug container to complete my uniform. It's just a cheap little plastic bottle; the medics used to give them away for free to those who needed one.
I searched on ebay and militaria shops, and discovered that what they call "Vietnam era earplug cases" are not as cheap and available as I had hoped. There were plenty of newer rectangular earplug cases for sale, but all of the old cylindrical earplug cases are sold out. I finally found one place in Germany that had one, but it was over 30 euros plus shipping. I kept looking, and found a guy on ebay who had some, with earplugs, for $27.99. I bought one from him.
I guess that it would be wise for those in the military to keep any gear they can. Even something that seems so cheap as to be nearly worthless now may increase in price when it becomes an antique.
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