Posted on 11/16/2009 7:27:19 PM PST by rabscuttle385
There are few organizations in the United States as steeped in tradition as the military. And one of the oldest customs is the giving of "challenge coins," privately made medallions stamped with a unit or service emblem. The ritual reportedly started during World War I, when new aviators were given coins from officers upon joining a squadron. According to one tale, a pilot was saved from execution in France after proving his identity with his coin. In a memorial ceremony this week, President Obama placed the commander in chief's coin in front of the photos of the 13 soldiers slain at Fort Hood in Texas.
Now, decades after the tradition began, the latest and possibly most meaningful coin—commemorating the recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor—has been approved by Congress and the White House. "This is kind of a big deal, actually," says Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Christopher Carney, the father of the plan. "Congress doesn't sort of reflexively mint coins." A commander in the Navy Reserves, he teamed with Illinois Republican Rep. Mark Kirk, Massachusetts Democratic Sen. John Kerry, and South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham to push the bill through. "Considering the backdrop of being in two wars, you really want to honor and commemorate those who have sacrificed so much on behalf of this nation, and coins are part of that military tradition," says Carney.
(Excerpt) Read more at usnews.com ...
Check this out.
Someone needs to photoshop a medal with rice on it.
WRM, MSgt, USAF(Ret.)
Good Lord. Even I know it’s “Recipients” not “Winners”
Blah, blah, blah, please take your bows for the gesture and move on to providing our live Troops with the backup their General has already asked for? You know, the backup he asked for several KIA’s ago.... the backup that may have saved their lives. Oh, and real leadership, it would be nice for our Troops to have real leadership that actually cared about their asses instead of the publicity they might get for coming up with a new and improved coin.
These guys and gals are not working for coins provided by a few traitors, they are working for our freedoms and trying to survive this war.
Since Kerry is involved, will these coins be presented by Kerry tossing them over a fence? After all, he was in Nam, don’t you know.
I don’t give a hoot what it is... these punks will never impress me.
Hey, at least zer0 has apparently figured out after his little “shout out” that the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Medal of Freedom are, uhhh, different.
Uber RINO Lindsey Ping
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I can not believe they did not post a “gag” alert on this. No coin I would accept!!!!
TP2000 CMSgt, USAF (Ret)
What is the “commander in chief’s coin?”
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