Found Gott Schutze Dich pendant in Afghanistan

[29INFMANCHU]

I'm a soldier with 2nd BCT, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). While on dismounted patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan I stumbled across the aforementioned charm necklace just laying on the ground. Just found it again and am interested to know if anyone has seen another like it, google searches turned up no similar charm. The charm itself appears to be silver but I think the chain may be nickel or something? (I'm a GI and know little about jewelry). Any input would be appreciated. Could this thing be rare or is it a mass produced piece of junk?

 

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[Westfront]

Nice one! From the script it looks like early 20th century, the design looks somewhat modern but can be that old too. Can be a hairloom... There are german troops around kandahar too? Maybe one of this soldiers took it down there and lost it. Not very rare, but im sure someone is missing that thing badly...
Welcome to t-net!

 

[birdman]

Very cool. Wish I could find something like that here in Iraq. Nothing but rocks and a few bullets.

 

[bootybay]

First, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for you and all the other soldiers there for protecting the USA.. I will remember you all in my prayers and hope you all will be home and with your families safely. Thats one awesome find. wonder what the translation means.. any imput out there?

 

[pat-tekker-cat]

Translation, "God protect you". (truth can be found in many places, imo)
What a great find, congratulations, and welcome to t-net. Oh, Im'ma cat, btw, I may no less about jewelry!

Seems your pendant, imo, symbolizes, God, holding his child(ren), while they hold the world.
I would certainly hold on to that item, as someone else, is probably still holding it too.(if that makes sense). Much beauty in those thoughts, imo.
May your comings and goings be blessed and protected. Thank you for all.

birdman, sorry to hear bout ya rocks and bullets, here's hoping things look up for ya.
You stay blessed and prtotected too. As I wish this, for you all.
With thanks.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Welcome to TN. I think its a catholic St. Christopher medal most likely purchased in Germany. Its carried for protection by those that believe. I hope he just lost the medal. I dont think its very old.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...rue&rt=nc&si=KjMzcGi9IzFd6G6PA4XOogseu%2F0%3D

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Old-Medal-...d=110667252497&ps=63&clkid=597227372709858876

 

[Westfront]

Welcome to TN. I think its a catholic St. Christopher medal most likely purchased in Germany. Its carried for protection by those that believe. I hope he just lost the medal. I dont think its very old.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...rue&rt=nc&si=KjMzcGi9IzFd6G6PA4XOogseu%2F0%3D

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Old-Medal-...d=110667252497&ps=63&clkid=597227372709858876

Thats exactly what it is. St. Christopher is the patron saint of the travelers and such pendants are often carried on the dash of a car to protect the ride.
I have one in the engine bay of my truck...i think i need it there more....
Hope the owner of the pendant made it safely home.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Heres a blog about St. Christopher medals. http://stchristopherprotectus.blogspot.com/

"Saint Christopher - the one-time Catholic patron saint of traveler's, whose name means "Christ carrier." ( I think the baby depicted on the medal is the baby Jesus).

"To help protect our soldiers, about 876 St. Christopher medals were mailed July 19th, over to a Captain in Baghdad, for distribution to his Unit, in the Forward Support Company, of the 20th Engineer Battalion. Our thoughts and prayers are going along with these medals, in asking St. Christopher to help protect our soldiers."

 

[pat-tekker-cat]

Heres a blog about St. Christopher medals. http://stchristopherprotectus.blogspot.com/

"Saint Christopher - the one-time Catholic patron saint of traveler's, whose name means "Christ carrier." ( I think the baby depicted on the medal is the baby Jesus).

"To help protect our soldiers, about 876 St. Christopher medals were mailed July 19th, over to a Captain in Baghdad, for distribution to his Unit, in the Forward Support Company, of the 20th Engineer Battalion. Our thoughts and prayers are going along with these medals, in asking St. Christopher to help protect our soldiers."

Hey BCH, good to see ya! Thanks for the factual info, as all I had was cat-puke. LOL! My bad........
I'm not catholic or nothing, so I'm not "up" on my saints, so to say.
The sentiments, still hold the same...............with love.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

hi good to hear from you Pat.

I need to put one of those medals under my hood like Westfront. Maybe it will help.

 

[pat-tekker-cat]

hi good to hear from you Pat.

I need to put one of those medals under my hood like Westfront. Maybe it will help.

Uh, you do what ya feel you need to do with the medals, honey.
Did the rain put them fires out for ya'll down there?
I was thinking of you yesterday. Hope all is well.

 

[Rmeav8r]

Yep, German St. Christopher medal. I would guess from the German troops that were there starting again in 2002. I was there about that time and the Germans were scattered all around the country.

Thanks for your service! I love the 101st, I spent the best 5 years of my Army career at Ft. Campbell with 4th Bde (Avn).

Air Assault!

 

[paratrooper]

AIRBORNE!!!!!!!

 

[Sof]

I'm a soldier with 2nd BCT, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). While on dismounted patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan I stumbled across the aforementioned charm necklace just laying on the ground. Just found it again and am interested to know if anyone has seen another like it, google searches turned up no similar charm. The charm itself appears to be silver but I think the chain may be nickel or something? (I'm a GI and know little about jewelry). Any input would be appreciated. Could this thing be rare or is it a mass produced piece of junk?

I have a similar pendant. Gott Schutze dich means "God protects you" and the image is a picture of St.Christopher who was a martyr is the patron saint of travellers. Christians will often carry photos of him while travelling on an aeroplane or suchlike.