Bluehawk

Here are some updates about this fascinating discovery:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/archaeology/napoleon_army_01.shtml

http://www.balticsworldwide.com/the-napoleon-graves/

... wonder why the original owners of these ever let them go?

That, in the end, is always the basic unanswerable question.

One other recommendation tried and true:

Place your artifact in one box, surrounded with whatever suits your fancy for protection.

Put that box in a second box, surrounded by (of all things) cooked popcorn (no salt or butter, obviously). Popcorn is much better and cheaper than foam peanuts.

Finally the framed document that was unharmed...

Just a safety suggestion, we used in museums when shipping anything framed with glass:

Put down a 1" spaced vertical and horizontal grid of masking tape to the face of the glass. If anything cracks or breaks, the chances of damaging the artifact are greatly reduced, if not eliminated.

Also noteworthy apropos of long service, is that a USAF GCM will be granted during wartime after one full year of service.

To wit:

Criteria

It was awarded to Air Force enlisted personnel during a three-year period of active military service or for a one-year period of service during a time of war. Airmen awarded this medal must have had character and efficiency ratings of excellent or higher throughout the qualifying period including time spent in attendance at service schools, and there must have been no convictions of court martial during this period. Air Force personnel who were previously awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal and after June 1, 1963 qualified for the Air Force Good Conduct Medal could wear both medals.

I'd be interested to learn the origin of it as well, whether Canada or England or both, or others included.

Where is this badge worn on a uniform?

From 1915 onwards, only the 1915 2nd issue brass OWS was issued to men working on war service in the reserve occupations, there were regulations on who were eligible, and when they had to give them up...

Just asking to be sure I understand that the BADGE itself had to be given up?