We all have different traditions when it comes to commemorating and paying tribute to our loved ones who have passed away.
In today’s world, honoring the customs of others while commemorating the lives of the departed ought to come as standard practice. Some may choose to follow traditions or practices that the rest of us are not familiar with, but it doesn’t make them any less legitimate.
The same is true with gravestones and the ornamentation certain families choose to place over their loved ones’ last resting places. Coins being placed on headstones is one custom that is widely practiced and that you have probably witnessed at some point. However, why is this even a thing? And from whence did it originate? Continue reading to learn more.
Coins are traditionally placed on gravestones in cemeteries around the United States and other countries. When I was a little child, I first observed it when I was at my grandfather’s tomb, and even then, I started to wonder what it was all about.
Luckily, finding the beginnings online doesn’t need much research. Although it was previously thought that the practice originated with Roman military troops, a number of sources have disproved that theory in recent years.
Still, there’s a military connection to leaving pennies on gravestones. The American Legion Website states on one of its pages that it can be linked to the Vietnam War.
“Leaving a coin was considered a more practical way to communicate that you had visited the soldier’s grave than contacting the soldier’s family, which could devolve into an uncomfortable argument over politics relating to the war, due to the political divide in the country over the war.”
There are other reasons why veterans leave pennies on gravestones in memory of their fallen friends; occasionally, they do so in order to purchase a beer for them. Each coin represents a different meaning, according to reports.
For instance, a nickel is left by someone who served in boot camp with the deceased, whereas a penny just indicates that someone was present.
On the other hand, a dime represents a combined period of military service. Next are quarters, which inform the family of the presence of whoever left the coin at the moment of the loved one’s passing.
Ever notice a penny left on a gravestone? Were you aware of its meaning? Tell us in the comments below.
Flight Attendant Notices Baby Alone On The Plane, Is Shocked When Realising Why
In a recent flight, passengers were taken aback when they discovered a baby unaccompanied by any guardian, accompanied by a cryptic note urging: “Please take care of him”. Flight attendant Jesse, diligently searched for the baby’s parents to no avail. Even more perplexing, the baby’s name didn’t appear on the flight manifest, sparking concerns about how the infant ended up aboard the aircraft.
Swiftly, the airline alerted airport authorities, prompting a full-scale investigation by the police. Despite combing through CCTV footage and conducting extensive searches, the baby’s parents remained elusive. The flight’s medical team, meanwhile, diagnosed the baby with a fever, necessitating urgent medical attention upon landing. Rushed to the nearest hospital, the infant received the necessary treatment.
Medical professionals faced challenges in identifying the baby due to his absence from the passenger list. Deciphering clues from the note, authorities traced it to a remote residence where an elderly couple was interrogated. Subsequent DNA testing linked the couple to the child, revealing them as relatives.
After persistent questioning, the couple disclosed that their daughter, the baby’s mother, had entrusted them with his care due to her inability to do so herself. However, the identity of the baby’s mother remained undisclosed, leaving the elderly couple as his caregivers. This incident underscored the critical importance of vigilance in safeguarding children and promptly reporting any concerning occurrences.
The airline crew, medical staff, and law enforcement received commendation for their prompt response, ultimately saving the baby’s life and unraveling the mystery surrounding his identity. Nonetheless, numerous unanswered questions linger, and the investigation continues to unfold.
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