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Use a wooden plaque to display your personal military badges and awards. The following steps will teach you how to stain a piece of wood and add tokens of appreciation to it that were received while in the military. Once finished, embellish the plaque and hang it from a wall in your home so that it can be enjoyed by you, your family members, and friends.

Materials

• wooden plaque (from craft or retail store)
• fine grit sandpaper
• lint-free cloth
• wood stain
• paintbrush
• paint tray
• wood sealer
• badges and awards
• measuring tape
• craft glue
• ribbon
• scissors
• paint pen (for wooden surfaces)
• picture hanging kit
• screwdriver
• pencil

Sand And Stain The Wooden Plaque

Purchase a wooden plaque that is large enough to display the military items that you own. Plaques come in several shapes, and some of them have a decorative edge that runs around the wood's perimeter. Lightly sand the wood with a fine grit piece of sandpaper to remove any imperfections on the wooden surface. Press the sandpaper down firmly on the front of the plaque as you move it with the grain of the wood. Remove residue from the plaque's surface with a lint-free cloth.

Pour wood stain into a paint tray. Evenly coat a standard paintbrush with the stain and apply it to the plaque's surface in straight lines. Wait a couple hours for the stain to dry. Add a second coat of stain if portions of the wood are not covered completely.

Apply Sealer And Attach The Badges And Awards

Apply an even coat of wood sealer to the plaque's surface with a paintbrush. The sealer will add shine to the plaque's surface and will protect the stain from fading or peeling. After the sealer has been applied, wait a couple hours for it to dry.

Use a measuring tape to assist with lining up the badges and awards across the plaque's surface. Apply an even coat of craft glue to the back of each one. Press the badges and awards firmly against the wooden surface. Wait for the glue to dry. If you would like to add additional embellishments to the plaque's surface, consider adding a ribbon that is tied into a bow with glue or writing your name with a paint marker that is designed for use on wooden surfaces.

Hang Up The Plaque

Use a measuring tape to line up the metal piece of hardware from a picture hanging kit. Attach the hardware with screws and a screwdriver. Install a nail or hook on the wall where you would like to display the plaque. Hang the plaque from the nail or hook. The decorative plaque can be enjoyed each day and will become a conversation piece when family members or friends visit your home. 

For more information, contact The Trophy Case or a similar company.