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Why are coins left on military gravestones?
Why are coins left on military gravestones?
Leaving a coin on a gravestone of a military member is leaving a silent but meaningful tribute. The coin is a personal note of respect, loyalty and a tribute to someone who left a lasting imprint on the coin bearer. The coin is proof that someone returned and remembered a life lost but not forgotten. We may lay flowers or wreaths on memorials but a coin on the grave serves as a silent but poignant message to the family and other visitors that this grave and this person has a personal meaning and bonds made in uniform do not end in death.
The Penny
The Penny
Leaving a penny on a deceased service member's tombstone means you visited their grave. You cared and you came.
The Nickel
The Nickel
Leaving a nickel indicates you attended boot camp together. You cared, you came and you share a deep rooted memory.
The Dime
The Dime
Leaving a dime means you served together in some way. You cared, you came and you remember a place and time together.
The Quarter
The Quarter
A quarter is one of the most meaningful coins since it indicates that you were there when the service member died. You cared, you came and you were there at the end.
The tradition of leaving coins on a gravestone can be traced back to the Roman Empire. Coins were placed into the mouth of fallen soldiers to pay for passage and protection across the River Styx, which separates the world of the living from the world of the dead.The custom gained popularity in the U.S. during the Vietnam War as a way to honor the fallen during a time of upheaval and political divide over a controversial war. The coins were a way to quietly honor service members and communicate a message of respect for family members.
Each coin tells a story that someone came and stood before the grave and remembered. Someone made the trip for a reason - which is why although I do not have a coin to put on each grave I have a reason to remember. Each coin reminds me that this grave is a person with a history, a purpose and a legacy.
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