| Some US troops in Iraq have been picking up souvenirs of their time there, with many planning to sell their trophies on the Internet.Staff Sergeant Nathan Braswell found a flag in a captured Iraqi base and hopes it will earn him a tidy sum when he sells it online.Like many fellow US Marines, Braswell grabbed the trophy as American forces advanced on Baghdad.
"I got the flag that was in the commanding general's building. It's very large. It's in great condition," said Braswell, 24, who picked up the Iraqi national colours on the eastern outskirts of the city.
"I'm going to put the flag on eBay," he said, referring to the Internet auction site where memorabilia from the toppled regime of Saddam Hussein is already in demand.
"Some collector would probably like it."
Combat knives
Other Marines that have stumbled across caches of Iraqi bayonets are making a few bucks on the side selling them to troops who were not so quick off the mark.
One Marine was offering several combat knives to his comrades for £13 each - although he kept his favourite one wedged in the webbing loops on his flak jacket as a memento.
Some say they plan to mount the souvenirs on their walls, making a collage of items like knives or shoulder flashes found on military uniforms discarded by Iraqi troops.
"When you come home you have to show that you were there, you take some pictures," said Corporal Alex Fala, 25.
"Throughout the wars in the past, everybody has brought back something."
Prestige
American homes may soon find themselves adorned with portraits of Saddam, combat helmets, military car licence plates, canteen cups, uniform caps and pieces of webbing.
Anything bearing what Marines consider to resemble a Ba'ath Party or Republican Guard insignia has added prestige.
But collecting the keepsakes of war is not everyone's idea of fun.
"I'm not really into that," said one a Marine who drives an armoured amphibious vehicle. "My war trophy is getting home and sitting on my couch."
Sky news | |
