 |
| Photo by Chris Lauer/Getty Images |
We discovered this article on the Reader's Digest site: Why You Should Never Touch Coins Left on a Gravestone - as admirers of cemeteries it's important to know the customs and traditions of such. With Memorial Day in the US coming up next month many folks might find themselves visiting a cemetery, including the gravesites of military service veterans. You might see coins left on the headstone. The coins have special meaning:
Penny: someone, random or otherwise, is grateful for the deceased's service.
Nickel: the visitor went to boot camp or another form of training with the deceased.
Dime: the visitor directly served with the deceased as a comrade at arms.
Quarter: the visitor was present when the deceased passed away in service and witnessed the ultimate sacrifice. Some will leave the state-specific quarters to represent the state the deceased was from.
You might also see (or give) Challenge Coins specific to the deceased.
The tradition dates back to the days of the Roman Empire - who inherited the practice from the Ancient Greeks - where a common practice was to provide a coin for Charon, the ferryman who transported souls across the River Styx. This practice spread across Europe and then to Canada and the USA, particularly during the Vietnam War.
At certain points during the year the cemetery caretakers collect the coins (usually not the Challenge Coins, though) and use the funds toward cemetery maintenance or burial costs for military service veterans who could not afford burial.
You don't have to wait for Memorial Day (the last Monday in May) to remember deceased military service veterans - keeping them in our thoughts all year 'round is entirely appropriate. Other military-focused events include:
- Medal of Honor Day - March 25
- Vietnam Veterans Day - March 29
- Armed Forces Day - May 18
- D-Day (the anniversary of the WWII Allied invasion at Normandy, France) - June 6
- Flag Day - June 14
- US Army Birthday - June 14
- US Coast Guard Birthday - August 4
- Purple Heart Day - August 7
- US Air Force Birthday - September 18
- US Navy Birthday - October 13
- US Marine Corps Birthday - November 10
- Veterans Day - November 11
- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - December 7
Pay attention to signage at particular cemeteries - Arlington National Cemetery, for instance, has requested that coins not be left on the gravesites, as the coins fell/were blown into the grass and injured the groundskeepers during grass cutting. Also, placing a coin should be a respectful and quiet act between you and the deceased - it still happened even if you don't document it on social media 😊
