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.
The Couple Wanted To Adopt a Cat And They Chose The Saddest And Most Unhappy Of All The Cats: The Happy Animal Changed Beyond Recognition In a Matter Of Hours!
Often referred to as the saddest cat on the internet, meet BenBen. BenBen, poor guy, was going to have a very bad future in a shelter, almost certainly ending in death.
His story is all the more tragic because he had a disfigured ear, multiple severe cuts, and a fractured back.
BenBen appears to have had an encounter with a much bigger animal.
BenBen appeared to sense his fate, according to the shelter officials. He didn’t seem to be trying to continue; he wasn’t moving, eating, or drinking.
After learning about BenBen, a compassionate vet clinic staff member made the decision to offer him a fresh start.
It was truly an amazing metamorphosis. Within an hour of moving into his new house, BenBen’s entire personality transformed!
“As if to say thank you, he began purring, grinning, and climbing up for cuddles. I firmly think he understood he had at last found safety and his ultimate home.
Ben bucked the odds and started walking again, despite the doctors’ doubts. Before long, he was sprinting and jumping instead of just walking!
BenBen is no longer the saddest cat in the house, even though he still needs painkillers. He’s really become a content cat!
We are grateful to the amazing individuals that saved BenBen!
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