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.
Clint Eastwood’s Longtime Partner, Christina Sandera, Passes Away at 61
Clint Eastwood, the legendary actor and filmmaker, has announced the heartbreaking news of the passing of his partner of nearly a decade, Christina Sandera. The 94-year-old Eastwood expressed his deep sorrow in a heartfelt statement on July 19, describing Christina as a “lovely, caring woman” whom he will greatly miss.
Christina Sandera, who passed away at the age of 61, had been Eastwood’s companion since 2014. Despite their long-term relationship, the couple chose to keep their love low-profile, away from the prying eyes of Hollywood. Their quiet and steadfast partnership was a rare gem in the fast-paced entertainment industry.
Fans and friends of Eastwood and Sandera are in shock over the devastating news. The couple’s strong bond and commitment to each other were admired by many, and their loss is deeply felt within the industry. Tributes and condolences have started pouring in for Christina Sandera, honoring the cherished partner of one of cinema’s greatest icons.
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