News Summary

Dan Nordeman never had the chance to talk with his grandfather about serving in World War II.

But he has spent his adult life researching his grandfather's life and building a collection that started with his souvenirs.

Nordeman was 12 when he inherited war memorabilia from his grandfather, Hoyt Nordeman Jr.

"When it's your grandfather's, it kind of peaks your interest and makes you want to know more," he said. "I really never got to meet him. This is kind of filling the void a little bit."

Nordeman started his collection with those heirlooms: a paperweight from Germany, a piece of shrapnel and his grandfather's military uniform.

Nordeman spends his free days traveling the area from Cincinnati to Dayton, sometimes with his father, Tom, who lives in Middletown. He meets with people interested in selling their antiques. He makes his way around the country visiting military shows.

"I was kind of shocked at everything that was available," said the Hamilton High School graduate.

Nordeman has uniforms, helmets, medals and flags. He also a license that allows him to purchase antique firearms.

His biggest interest is in items that were used in combat, especially those used by Marines.

"When they stormed ashore, that was basically one-on-one with the enemy," he said.

Nordeman took out an ad in newspapers in Middletown, Hamilton and Dayton, and has received at least 60 calls in the last month, he said.

"It's unbelievable," he said. "Times being what they are, people are trying to make ends meet. It's unfortunate. People are willing to part with these, what I consider, precious items."

Nordeman said the best part of collecting is being able to preserve a story from a family or, ideally, sit down with a veteran.

"That's every collectors' dream is to sit and talk with a veteran," he said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or mengle@coxohio.com.