Why not flowers, stones, or photographs? Coins offer several advantages:
- Durability : Unlike flowers, which wilt over time, coins remain intact, standing up to weather and time.
- Value : Coins hold both material and emotional value. Their permanence makes them fitting tributes to lives lost.
- Practicality : Many cemeteries collect leftover coins periodically and donate them to veteran organizations. This ensures that every penny, nickel, dime, or quarter continues to do good long after it’s been placed on a headstone.
A Tradition That Speaks Volumes
The tradition of leaving coins on gravestones is a testament to humanity’s desire to connect—even across lifetimes. Each coin tells a story, whether it’s one of passing acknowledgment, shared training, battlefield camaraderie, or final farewells. It’s a language of grief and respect, spoken without words but understood by those who take the time to listen.
Next time you visit a cemetery and spot a coin gleaming on a gravestone, pause for a moment. Consider the hands that left it and the life it commemorates. And if you feel moved, consider leaving a coin yourself. After all, remembering is one of the greatest gifts we can give—to the living and the departed alike.
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