Startling Discovery: Grenade Turns Up in Michigan Basement

Soldiers sometimes bring home souvenirs from wartime. A Michigan family recently discovered a World War II-era grenade in their grandfather’s basement, prompting a response from a bomb squad.

What Can U.S. Soldiers Legally Bring Home From War?

Getty Images

Today’s U.S. troops head into battle with far more equipment than their predecessors did. During World War II, some service members brought home souvenirs from overseas.

Getty Images

U.S. service members generally cannot bring home weapons, ammunition, explosives, or government property as souvenirs. But they can often keep things like unit flags, uniform patches, and personal photos as mementos of their time in service.

Read More: Dramatic F-16 Crash Shakes Northern Michigan

Despite those restrictions, some troops apparently brought grenades and other military items home in duffel bags or hidden containers. Decades later, some of those items are still turning up during estate cleanouts.

Michigan Police Respond After Grenade Found in Basement

Getty Images

A family cleaning out their grandfather’s basement in Paw Paw Township recently discovered a World War II-era grenade. According to the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, the grenade dated back to 1945.

Getty Images

Sheriff’s deputies called in the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Bomb Squad, which arrived with specialized X-ray equipment to safely inspect and dismantle the grenade. Fortunately, the grenade had been decommissioned and did not pose an active explosive threat, according to authorities.

Get our free mobile app

👇BELOW: Vintage Military Figurines Collection👇