I really reccomend the book The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

LeClair carries, in his helmet, some sentimental things. In his helmet is his grandfather's zippo lighter from when he was in the Airforce. Along with the zippo is a picture of LeClair's nephews, a piece of a bullet, and a phone number. The fragmented metal which was once part of a bullet is part of the bullet that almost killed LeClair. It also earned him his Purple Heart-- he took that bullet for his comrade, Shrum. The phone number, well it's my phone number. He lost it twice or more, so now it's in a safe place.

I carry pretty superficial things with me, my phone is almost always right in my hand, honestly there are usually two pairs of sunglasses in my purse or car. But in my phone are a few very sentimental text messages. They are from LeClair. I've kept the messages of what he carries, one wishing me a better day, and one wishing me luck on my musical. LeClair carries sentimental things in his helmet, which is fitting. He also has to carry about fifty pounds of all the other stuff a Ranger needs in the desert or wherever they send him. Even though he has so much on his back, he still wishes me a better tomorrow.

"I have my grandfathers zippo from when he was in the Airforce, a picture of my nephews, a picture of me with my dad after i tabbed out
i have a piece of the bullet fragment that almost killed me in there too
haha i even wrote your number in there so i wont lose it again"