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September 8, 2008 10:36:27 AM CDT

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Heirloom Harmonicas Head Overseas

Posted Nov 27, 07 3:15 PM CST in US,  Arts & Living 

(Newser) – The twin sons of the late entertainer Herb Shriner, after finding 400 antique harmonicas among their dad's effects, have a morale-boosting plan: They want to send them to US troops overseas, reports the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "It beats sending them tubas," said son Wil, the actor/director. "They're pretty easy to pick up and play." 

The vintage 1949 harmonicas carry the Indiana humorist's nickname, "Hoosier Boy." His sons originally considered giving the mouth organs to youth groups but thought they'd make a great pick-me-up for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. "It's a gift to maybe lighten up a tough day," said the harmonica maestro's daughter-in-law.

Source South Florida Sun-Sentinel

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Late humorist Herb Shriner may leave an unusual legacy as his sons prepare to donate the harmonica they inherited to troops overseas.   (Wikimedia Commons)
"It beats sending them tubas," said son Wil Shriner, of the harmonica collection. "They're pretty easy to pick up and play."   (Shutterstock.com)
The late Shriner's belongings included approximately 400 vintage harmonicas.   (Getty Images)
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