Heirloom Harmonicas Head Overseas

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. (More US troops stories.)