It took twenty minutes to clear the tarnish from all six lapel buttons and the smaller buttons on the cuffs.

I took a small can of black shoe polish from the bottom tray and worked a horsehair brush over my oxfords until the leather reflected the light from the window.

The small clear plastic case holding my ribbons sat beneath the collar stay.

I snapped the hinge open and lifted out the gold Navy SEAL Trident.

The two steel mounting pins went through the heavy navy wool three-sixteenths of an inch above the top ribbon bar.

I pressed the brass clasps onto the back until both pins clicked tight.