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Tremblay Super Member
Joined: Oct 08, 2007 Posts: 2648 Location: Malta, Montana
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Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2014 11:41 pm Post subject: COINS LEFT ON A TOMESTONE |
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.5-.10-.25 COINS LEFT ON TOMBSTONES
While visiting some cemeteries you may notice that headstones marking certain graves have coins on them, left by previous visitors to the grave.
These coins have distinct meanings when left on the headstones of those who gave their life while serving in America's military, and these meanings vary depending on the denomination of coin.
A coin left on a headstone or at the grave site is meant as a message to the deceased soldier's family that someone else has visited the grave to pay respect. Leaving a penny at the grave means simply that you visited.
A nickel indicates that you and the deceased trained at boot camp together, while a dime means you served with him in some capacity. By leaving a quarter at the grave, you are telling the family that you were with the solider when he was killed.
According to tradition, the money left at graves in national cemeteries and state veterans cemeteries is eventually collected, and the funds are put toward maintaining the cemetery or paying burial costs for indigent veterans.
In the US, this practice became common during the Vietnam war, due to the political divide in the country over the war; leaving a coin was seen as a more practical way to communicate that you had visited the grave than contacting the soldier's family, which could devolve into an uncomfortable argument over politics relating to the war.
Some Vietnam veterans would leave coins as a "down payment" to buy their fallen comrades a beer or play a hand of cards when they would finally be reunited.
The tradition of leaving coins on the headstones of military men and women can be traced to as far back as the Roman Empire
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_________________ Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it. - Mark
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dhc4ever Super Member
Joined: May 26, 2011 Posts: 2944 Location: Ipswich, Queensland Australia
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 2:12 am Post subject: Re: COINS LEFT ON A TOMESTONE |
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Didnt know this, thanks.
_________________ Pete
Dont do anything you wont like explaining to the paramedics.............. |
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slimjim Super Member
Joined: May 16, 2009 Posts: 8314 Location: Fort Worth TX
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 6:06 am Post subject: Re: COINS LEFT ON A TOMESTONE |
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Tremblay, thanks for posting on Veterans Day. We should never forget.
_________________ "To anger a conservative, lie to him. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth." - Theodore Roosevelt
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Suzanne Super Member
Joined: Jun 27, 2009 Posts: 3323 Location: Eugene, Oregon
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 7:53 am Post subject: Re: COINS LEFT ON A TOMESTONE |
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I've been decorating graves for years and never seen that, think I'll start a tradition. It's a lovely idea too.
Suz
_________________ May the moon keep you centered,
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gelandangan Super Member
Joined: May 07, 2006 Posts: 6397 Location: Sydney Australia
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 2:30 pm Post subject: Re: COINS LEFT ON A TOMESTONE |
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Thank you.
It is an interesting tradition, I wonder if the diggers do similar..
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Ominivision1 Super Member
Joined: Sep 20, 2010 Posts: 2984 Location: Iowa
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: COINS LEFT ON A TOMESTONE |
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Kudoes Trembaly.
_________________ Regards
Limitations are but boundaries created inside our minds. |
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Pumpkinslinger Super Member
Joined: Sep 22, 2007 Posts: 5002 Location: NC foothills
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 12:23 am Post subject: Re: COINS LEFT ON A TOMESTONE |
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Not to put a damper on a neat story but I have seen parks ask people NOT to leave coins on tombstones, monuments, etc. because the metals can stain the stone and are very difficult to clean.
_________________ Mike
"I ain't no better than anybody else, and there ain't nobody better than me!" Ma Kettle |
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Suzanne Super Member
Joined: Jun 27, 2009 Posts: 3323 Location: Eugene, Oregon
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 8:01 am Post subject: Re: COINS LEFT ON A TOMESTONE |
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Ok so I will start a headstone cleaning service! Could be a good way to make some pocket money....
Suz
_________________ May the moon keep you centered,
May the sun keep you dancing,
And the stars shed light on your dreams. |
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Tremblay Super Member
Joined: Oct 08, 2007 Posts: 2648 Location: Malta, Montana
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:24 am Post subject: Re: COINS LEFT ON A TOMESTONE |
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There are a lot of things that they should not be done for a lot of reasons, but it is done anyhow and they are called traditions and traditions are hard to stop.
_________________ Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it. - Mark
Twain
Never argue with a stupid person ,cause they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience. Mark Twwain |
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chambered221 Super Member
Joined: Aug 17, 2007 Posts: 3455 Location: Lost for good !!!
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