Hennef, German An ordnance collection haphazardly stored in a shed detonated resulting in a fire. The items belonged to a 51-year-old man who reportedly purchased the items (illegally) at a flea market. The man, an amateur ordnance collector, was arrested for illegally possessing and storing explosives.

Bomb disposal experts responding to the scene shut down a stretch of railroad and a highway and evacuated several homes in the area due to concerns that the heat from the fire could cause additional explosions. The remaining ordnance, reported as WII era munitions, were destroyed in a controlled explosion in a nearby field. Police are investigating the exact circumstances of the incident with further charges potentially pending for the alleged offender.

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On this special holiday, we remember all who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. We especially remember and honor those in the EOD community who have lost their lives to make the world a safer place.

Thank you to all who have served and those who continue to serve our great country. A special thank you as well to the families of veterans for their support. Happy Memorial Day 2017 from UXOInfo.com.

Hiroshima, Japan A family doing some spring cleaning in the garage were startled after they discovered an old munition item buried in a closet. The family promptly notified authorities who responded with technical support from members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force 13th Division.

The munition was identified as a WWII era Japanese projectile (specific type not provided). It's unclear how the projectile ended up in the house or exactly how long it was in the closet. Authorities safely removed the projectile for proper off-site disposal.

Eglin Air Force Base, Florida The Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NAVSCOLEOD) hosted the 48th Annual EOD Memorial Ceremony at the EOD Memorial on Eglin Air Force Base on May 6. The EOD community from each of the joint Services gathered to honor the memory of 320 EOD heroes and add six additional EOD Technicians to the EOD Memorial.

Those added to the memorial this year include: Army Sgt. 1st Class Biddle Carrol Izard, Jr. killed in action on June 19, 1968 while serving in Vietnam; Army Tech. Sgt James H. Eberle, killed in action on Aug. 23, 1944 while serving in WWII; Navy Senior Chief EOD Technician Scott Cooper Dayton killed in action Nov 24, 2016 while serving in support of Combined Joint Task Force, Operation Inherent Resolve; Navy Chief EOD Technician Jason Christopher Finan killed in action Oct 20, 2016 while serving in support of Combined Joint Task Force, Operation Inherent Resolve; Navy Ensign Charles Williams Grice, Sr. killed in action May 14, 1945 while serving in WWII; Navy Gunner's Mate Seaman Robert Paul Burr was killed in action July 16, 1944 while serving in WWII.

UXOInfo.com salutes these brave men and their families.