Honor

July 2, 2012  Dateline:  Jersey City, NJ USA

Since SALT ‘n SAND is still in Morehead City, NC, Rich will comment on recent events.

Honors come in all sorts of forms.  Last evening Carol and I had dinner with John and Mary of MARY FRANCES IV.  They are staying in New York Harbor so they can see the fireworks on July 4^th.  Since Carol and I live close by we made arrangements to drive over and have dinner with them.  We first met John and Mary last October at Joe Wheeler State Park, in Alabama, and  traveled down the Tenn-Tom together to Mobile, Al.

Last evening, Carol and I learned something new about honoring people.  In the US Military there is a coin referred to by several names including unit coin, memorial coin, unit challenge and commander’s coin.  The coin represents affiliation, support or patronage to the organization minted on the coin.  John is a retired Brigadier General in the Michigan National Guard and has the ability to award them.  Last evening John awarded Rich one.

The coin not only is an honor to receive but carries with it a very heavy burden.  A holder of the coin may “challenge” any individual who is known to have a coin.  The challenge is made by withdrawing a challenge coin from one’s pocket and raising it in the air or by tapping it on a bar or table.  The individual being “challenged” is required to produce their coin within 60 seconds.  If the challenged individual fails to produce the coin, he/she is obligated to buy the drink or whatever else the two individuals agree on.  If a coin is dropped and it hits the floor, the owner is obligated to buy drinks for anyone who hears or sees the coin hit the floor (provided that they have their coin with them).  Coin challenges can occur at anytime.  Challengers frequently stalk their victims.  An innocent bystander may never hear the challenge—only the challengee’s despairing cry, “___Ah___!  I forgot mine.  Since John, gave Rich his challenge coin, John hopes that their paths do not cross again until he, John, gets home to get another coin (he only brought one with him on this trip), otherwise John will be buying, as Rich will stalk him.  On the other hand, if the challenge is answered by John producing his coin then the Rich must do the buying.

According to legend, challenge coins originated during World War I.  American volunteers from all parts of the country filled the newly formed flying squadrons.  Some were wealthy scions attending colleges such as Harvard and Yale who quit in mid-term to join the war effort.  In one squadron a wealthy lieutenant ordered medallions struck in solid bronze and presented them to his unit.  One young pilot placed the medallion in a small leather pouch that he wore around his neck.  Shortly after acquiring the medallion, the pilot’s aircraft was severely damaged and he was forced to land behind enemy lines and was immediately captured.  In order to discourage his escape, the Germans took all of his personal identification except for the small leather pouch around his neck.  Taking advantage of a night time bombardment that very evening, he succeeded in escaping, but, of course, without any identification.  He donned civilian clothes and avoided being recaptured.   He was able to make it across no man’s land to a French outpost.  A number of saboteurs had tried the same tactic, and not recognizing the American’s accent the French thought him to be a saboteur.  The only identification he had with him was the small leather pouch and the medallion.  One of the Frenchmen recognized the symbol that was on the medallion and instead of shooting him the Frenchman gave the pilot a bottle of wine.  Back with the squadron it became tradition to ensure that all members carried their medallion or coin at all times.  This was reinforced through the challenge described in the above paragraph.

People who have not done the Loop, ask “What is the best part of the Loop?”.  Without a doubt the best part of the Loop is the people you meet and travel with, John and Mary are among that group of people for us.

In two days, Carol and I will be heading back to SALT ‘N SAND for our next adventure.

John awarding Rich the Coin

The Coin