I was just wondering, what coin do you carry, or any coin at all?
Most times I carry a coin from the different commands I have worked for, as it reminds me of the good times had there, or I have one that says "United States Coast Guard, America's first line of protection"
So, bust out your coins. So far I have aquired about 150, and each one has a story of either being directly presented to me, or a unit I was assigned to, or taught at, or a historic place or event such as the commissioning of the USS San Antonio... Not bad for 13 years.
What is your most prized coin, and do you practice coin checks? For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, google history of the military challenge coin.
My favorite is one I received for Operation Helmet... a charity that purchases safer helmet inserts for our troops. Earned it by lifting one million pounds in a day as a charity event. Earned a lot of money for a great cause. This one is one I'll keep.
I carry my Chief's Coin every day. I've worn the finish off it, and it's hard to make out my Initiation date, but I carry it daily to reminder me where I came from.
I still carry one of my original dog tags on my key chain. The other one is in a little box of mementos. Don't think coins were in fashion when I was in.
everyday: NARC (Naval Alcohol Rehab Center) Miramar, CA dated 12/31/1991; Viet Nam Vet in Recovery Coin; and a 17 Year Sobriety Medallion. All to remind me that taking the first drink is not the answer...
I have two "military coins" one is a Military.com one and the other is from my good friend, Vince Patton.
Where did you get a "military.com" coin? Do you work for them?
I would like to see a coin with the Guardian ethose.
From what I can find doing research there are different stories tracing the history of the coin to World War I, on back to the British Army. Anyway, they are what they are, and for someone who can't see pictures they are a reminder of where I have been, and the many cool things our Guard has given me the chance to do, or the people and units I have had a chance to work for and with.
Funny, my dad also gave me a silver dollor on my 30th birthday from my birth year, and I gave one to SGT Suttan the first salute I ever returned.
The problem is now finding a case big enough to display them all but every coin is different and really shows the personality of the person, unit, or event.
Over a hundred for sure in the rack at home, but always in my pocket is my Washington DC Combined Area Chief's Mess unity coin. (Just like the Chief's Coins mentioned above, but produced by this mess and of course, the one that says "presented by the Rating Force Master Chief" on one side and "Operations Specialist" on the other side. OK, so I often carry several of those ones around to make on the spot presentations. One of my favorites is from the Sergeant Major of the Army, who gave me it for giving him the chance to ride the OCC Army Chopper at the front of a pack of ~3000 bikes into the Pentagon, but that one stays at home.
I have a bunch, from Comdt on down, that have been presented to me at various times. My most earned one that I carry every day, though, is my Greater Mobile Area Chiefs Mess that I earned thru CCTI.
I have a funny story concerning the Commandant. When we were talking, I reached into my pocket to show him the Commandant of the Marine Corps's coin that I got when he made me an honorary marine, and ADM Allen said that's nice however I don't have my coin, and do you know why? No, I said. "Because you do." I was on cloud nine for about the past hmmm two years now. I still carrie it when I go to DC just in case he's checking.
I hope to return the gesture some day, but what coin do you give the Commandant?
When I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in 2006 after the event a friend who worked at the Pentagon was telling some "staff members" about it, and I was presented with a coin from the Army chief of staff, and the CNO. So, with the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Chief of staff of the Air Force (that I got while I was in Civil Air Patrol), and our own Commandant, I have a full "set".
It's nice when you ever question if your efferts are valued to pull those out and remind yourself.
One of my students when I taught LAMS gave me a ST Michael coin when he learned that ST Michael is my saint in the "Church.", and I have coins from the different units I taught LAMS at. That's an experience to see the quality of our PO3/2/1, we are in good hands, let alone the Chiefs I met while at Petaluma. Coin checks at that club was taking one's life into one's hands <wink>.
When new people join the Auxiliary here in my AOR, I always try to present them with a Corps Values coin to remind them that they are now a part of our Guard, and to be a Guardian. I hope it makes them feel as welcomed as i did and still do. The Guard is been and is good to me, and it's only right to "pass it on."
I hope to return the gesture some day, but what coin do you give the Commandant?
Hey, I can answer that one! The DC Area Chief's coin I mentioned above is brand new. We had the first 100 serilaized. When I took our PCPOs into his office, I 'tasked' him as an honorary MCPO to deliver the #1 DC Chiefs coin to DCC 'Clyde' Allen on behalf of the mess and presented him serial #2. Pretty big smile produced by that! Truth be told, if it were not for DCC Clyde Allen, the Chief's Mess would not have the respect it does down deep in MC (ADM) Allen's heart! It was pretty cool to be able to do that.
