Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label Military American Legion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Military American Legion. Show all posts

Sunday, January 23, 2022

Coins left on tombstones


Coins left on tombstones

Author unknown - from multiple media sources. 

American Legion Obituaries – Click here to read the obituaries of members of Carroll Post 31 American Legion in Westminster who have passed away: https://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/search/label/American%20Legion%20Obituary 

Have you ever been in a cemetery and saw coins laying on a tombstone? There is actually a reason behind it. 

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. 

Hat Tip: Rachel Krumheuer Walter



+++ Dayhoff Soundtrack +++

Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

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Thursday, June 23, 2011

Kevin Dayhoff Explore Carroll: American Legion Boys State program taps leadership lesson at McDaniel College

Explore Carroll: American Legion Boys State program taps leadership lesson at McDaniel College

http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/5498/american-legion-boys-state-program-taps-leadership-lesson-mcdaniel-college/



(Enlarge) Students in this year's Boys State march around at McDaniel College in formation. The annual summer camp focuses on leadership and government education. (Photo by Kevin Dayhoff)
For those who may have noticed groups of young men marching around McDaniel College’s campus this week in formation and chanting, rest assured that it’s not a new approach to freshman orientation.

It’s Boys State.

The annual American Legion-sponsored summer program aimed to expose rising high school seniors to the intricacies and working of the federal, state, and local government, came to Westminster this week for its annual session.

During the week, the young future leaders attend hours of classroom instruction, lectures, group discussion and physical training.

This year, 160 boys from throughout Maryland — and three from Germany — are attending the summer residence program on The Hill at McDaniel College. The camp runs June 19-25... http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/5498/american-legion-boys-state-program-taps-leadership-lesson-mcdaniel-college/

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Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Kevin Dayhoff The Tentacle: Boys State and Helmet Laws

June 22, 2011

Boys State and Helmet Laws
Now how’s that for a combination. Allow me to explain. Today I will be part of a team, at the annual, weeklong American Legion Boys State 2011 citizenship-training event at McDaniel College, facilitating a discussion on the pros and cons of mandatory motorcycle helmet laws.

Perhaps when Dr. Herb Smith, my former political science professor at McDaniel, first asked me if I could once again participate in helping out at Boys State, I should have run for the hills or asked for second prize.

However, I cannot turn Dr. Smith down. Not only was he an invaluable professor for a number of great classes at McDaniel, then Western Maryland College, he has since become a good friend and colleague along the way.

I’m looking forward to participating in Boys State. I have been asked to help off-and-on for years. I’m in good company – with the likes of Maryland State Sens. Joe Getty (R., Carroll/Baltimore Co.) and David Brinkley (R., Frederick/Carroll)...  http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4473

Kevin Dayhoff The Tentacle: Boys State and Helmet Laws http://tinyurl.com/67y6dxx
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