Dries' Shadow Boxes & Flag Cases is solely owned and operated by Paul M. Dries, MSgt, USAF, Retired.  Paul designed and built his first military retirement shadow box, the Honors Box, in 1993 for a retiring co-worker in the Resource Management Division, Headquarters Air Force Global Weather Central, AFGWC  (now Air Force Weather Agency, AFWA), Offutt AFB Nebraska.  Unsatisfied with commercially produced shadow boxes and framing materials, he designed the Honors Box in the Air Force uniform tradition, "simple yet distinctive."  Accolades like "the best box I have ever seen" quickly made Paul the master shadow box builder for AFGWC.  Paul's shadow boxes have been called "perfect", but he simply says that every shadow box he builds can be presented with pride.  He created the Valor Shadow Box and Military Shadowbox Box in 1997, the Air Force Chevron Shadow Box in 2000, Army - Marine Chevron Shadow Box in 2001, the Submarine Shadow Box in 2002, the Navy Chevron Shadow Box in 2002,  the Air Force TSgt - SSgt Shadow Box in 2005, the Air Force Symbol Shadow Box in 2006, the Stripes Shadow Boxes in 2009, and the First Sergeant Shadow Box in 2012.  Today, Paul is busy building  these shadow boxes for very satisfied customers--see the customer comments below and review the accolades Paul has received for his shadow boxes. 

Scroll down to view customer comments.  Use the "Contact"  or  "Orders"  buttons above for the e-mail link to make your comments and I will add them below.

 

  • Received everything Paul, looks sharp. Thank you, I will recommend you in the future. 
  • Thank you very much for your incredible work.  The shadow box you put together for us was absolutely impeccable!  I will definitely go through your services for all future needs.
  • Received the box on Monday.  It looks amazing, great job!  Thanks for 
    everything! 
  • I received the shadow box and its FANTASTIC!  Top notch work!  I underestimated its size, much bigger than I expected.
  • The shadow box came in last night and its perfect and my husband loves it! Thank you so much!!
  • I wanted to let you know that Gpap loved the box you made for him he said it was beautiful.  It made him cry.

  • My shadowbox arrived today. It is really beautiful! You do very fine work, and we are really pleased. Thank you so much!

  • Just wanted to let you know I received the cases.  Man, they really look good! 
  • …he sure loved his box! We really do love them! Thanks again!
  • Thank you for your work, it’s a beautiful piece.  I am so proud to have such a nice piece of wood work to hang on my wall with 24 years of memories in it.  Thank you again, I will most assuredly spread your name around.

  • Just wanted you to know that my shadowbox arrived undamaged. It exceeded my expectations and as a fellow wood worker I am impressed at the craftsmanship or your product

  • By the way thank you for the great job that you have done on both boxes. Both members really like them.
  • The shadow box came in and it is beautiful!!!!!  Your pictures do not do it justice.  Thank you so much!!! 
  • …The shadow box is "PERFECT"
  • The quality of the shadow boxes was superb. The beauty and professionalism of the boxes.

  • Thank you for working to accomplish by shadow box on short notice. Everything looks great and there were several complements on your work. Thanks for making my retirement ceremony a success.

  • Thank you so much for building my shadow box, it is beautiful.

  • I want to take this time out to sincerely thank you for the beautiful and artful shadow box that you assembled for my retirement ceremony. Your work is truly outstanding and I am lucky to have you as my Master Craftsman.

  • Thank you for the expert craftsmanship on the shadow box…I’ve received countless comments praising the beauty of that display case, and I can assure you it carries great meaning to me.

  • Thanks for your work on my shadow box and my dad’s flag case. Both were gorgeous.

  • Thank you very much for the extra effort on Commander Rich XXXX retirement shadowboxes. The finished product was absolutely beautiful and a great tribute to the service of this respected veteran. Your craftsmanship is most noteworthy.

  • Thank you for the wonderful job you did on the shadow box

  • The ceremony was great and my mother loved the chevron box.

  • The Chevron and Valor boxes are great!!!  I think they are awesome and everyone who sees them is impressed.

  • The box is beautiful! Thank you so much! My dad was so excited when he received it!...you helped me give my dad a gift that really means a lot to him!

  • It was wonderful. Everyone was in awe when it was presented. The flag cases were great and the boys liked them..... I have several people interested in the shadowbox!! I'm sending the info to someone in VA Beach...so be prepared for orders!

  • Paul, thanks for the craftsmanship.  The box looks great!

  • You built and shipped a shadowbox for me this past Sept. It was great work as usual. I would like to have you build me another box and ship to me again....

  • The chevron box for SMSgt XXXX looked Great at the Ceremony!

  • We received the shadow box yesterday and I picked it up today. It is a beautiful piece of woodwork. Thanks a million.

  • The shadow box is getting lots of "wows" from everyone. Great work.

  • The sources of shadow boxes in this area (Eglin AFB, FL) don't even hold a candle to your boxes. The boxes cost from $110 to $160...again, all are substandard to yours.

  • My husband was very pleased with his shadowbox, I don't think he was expecting anything quite so elaborate.

  • Thanks! It arrived, and is perfect, as always.

  • The shadow boxes I ordered were a big hit. You did a very nice job with them. Thanks.

  • I received the Merit box yesterday, it looks great!

  • My wife absolutely loved it. Thanks so much for all the work you put into it.

  • The retirement ceremony was on the 6th of Feb and the MSgt that retired loved it. Thanks for coming through with such a short notice.

  • Pleasure doing business with you last week. All of your hints on putting a shadowbox together were most helpful. The shadowbox turned out great and MSgt Kelly was very appreciative of the gift. The quality of your workmanship was commented on by many!

  • I want to commend you on the outstanding craftsmanship that went into the shadowbox. Not only was the box itself of pristine quality, your display and presentation of the medals and other memorabilia inside was beautiful. The recipient was overwhelmed.

  • I work with people who have seen your work and are very pleased; and highly recommend you!

  • The box turned out great; everyone was very satisfied. Thanks again!!!

  • I received the box today. Thank you. You did a great job.

  • I just received the shipment and it looks fantastic! The shipping box and packing materials could not have been done any better - no problems. Thanks for everything!

  • Presented the Ship's Wheel on Friday...it was definitely the hit of the retirement ceremony. Thanks!!

  • We received the shadow box yesterday. I was impressed with the quality of it.

  • I want to thank you for the fantastic work you did for may retirement. Everyone commented on the quality of your work and I can honestly say the presentation of your quality product was a highlight of the ceremony.

  • The ships wheel looks great. The workmanship and craftsmanship is outstanding. I can see and appreciate the effort and work that's needed to shape and assemble a complex shadowbox of this design. I know that the quality is much higher than what I would have received if I had gone elsewhere for a shadowbox.

  • Thank you very much and the box is AMAZING! I love it and cannot wait to put the items in.

  • I received the shadow box yesterday in the mail. It looks AWESOME! It was well packed and suffered no visible damage. You did a wonderful job and I will refer you in the future to my retirement buddies.

  • I got it Today...  BZ !!  GREAT  JOB !!

  • We're very excited about showcasing it at the retirement. Thank you again for the great work and for all of your help.

  • Got the shadowbox on Friday 2 June. Safe, nothing damaged as usual. You can really pack a box. ;-) Of course, your workmanship is outstanding as always. my thanks again,

  • It got here and looks awesome! Everything worked out great, including our getting the glass cut locally, so no worries. Thanks again for the great support!!!

  • Just wanted to let you know that my division presented the shadow box to me yesterday at my retirement ceremony - it is beautiful! You do very nice work and I will recommend you to anyone I know that is retireing and considering a shadow box of their own. Take care.

  • Got it! Thanks Paul. It looks beautiful. Not one scratch, dent, or nick.

  • The last shadow box I ordered form you came out so well that I was asked to order another one for an upcoming retirement.

  • Thanks again for the great job on the box, and the good directions on installing the glass. It looked so good that another guy in my office ordered one from you last week for his retirement.

  • Opened it on Sat. and loved it. Thanks so much.

  • It is great!  Your workmanship is outstanding!!! Thank you.

  • Wanted to thank you for a wonderful job on the shadowbox. It received more compliments than you can imagine. Thanks so much.

  • Paul, the shadow box looks awesome.

  • The box arrived safely and is beautiful Paul. Thank you.

  • You did such a good job on the last one so I have another order for you. Army green again....

  • Receive the shadow box today. It arrived in great shape and looks great as well. Thanks for your work on it and sending it quickly.

  • Yes, the flag cases look great thank you!

  • I received the shadow box in plenty of time for my ceremony. Thanks for all your efforts and expediting my order request.

  • Got the glass cut at the hobby shop and the shadow box looks great.

  • Receive the shadow box today. It arrived in great shape and looks great as well.

  • Thanks for your work on it and sending it quickly

  • Paul...got the shadow box ---lovely. Thanks!

  • The Honor's Shadow Box that you mailed was (by all accounts) gorgeous! Although I didn't have the chance to see it, absolutely everyone loved it, including the retiring Captain who received it!  So, Well Done, Paul.  And thanks very much for getting it built and mailed in record time.

  • MSgt liked yours for it's simplicity of the outline of the chevron with the flag nicely displayed on top signifying a Senior NCO.  Plus it looks like it has plenty of room to display memorabilia without it being cluttered

  • What a great shadowbox!!  It looks great. It helped make a great weekend even better.

  • This BOX IS AMAZING, Thank you so much for the custom order.....

  • What a great piece of craftsmanship that will look great on my office wall!

  • The Shadow box looked great and everyone who has seen it really likes it.  

  • Thanks so much, it’s beautiful.

  • Paul - I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for the shadow box. It is beautiful! My Dad is going to be so pleased with it and what a wonderful way to honor and remember his years in the service. I appreciate the time and effort (and love) you put into our shadow box. Thank you!

  • Shadowbox received. It looks great! No issues with the packing. Thanks for the advice on the glass and mounting. I'll definitely recommend you.

  • I received my shadowbox today, and am very pleased with it. I am really impressed with the quality of it and am surprised with how light weight it is. I was worried about hanging such a heavy object on the wall.

  • Received shadow box. Thank you very much. Very good quality.

  • I did receive the shadow box. Looks great thank you.

  • I got the box.  It looks great.

  • My shadow box is absolutely perfect!  I have seen many shadow boxes in my 30+ years of service but your craftsmanship and attention to every detail cannot be matched.  Everyone at my retirement ceremony greatly admired my shadowbox and I will recommend you to everyone.  Thank you for featuring my military career in this beautiful masterpiece!

  • Thank you so much for the work you did to put this smile on my face.