Challenge coins for Veterans: Honoring those who served
The tradition of the challenge coin
Recently, Mountain Valley introduced a challenge coin presentation as part of our We Honor Veterans program activity. Military Veterans receiving care at Mountain Valley are presented with a challenge coin in recognition of their dedication and service to our country, honoring their military history.
Challenge coins are a unique and cherished tradition in the military and other organizations. They are often used to build camaraderie and symbolize pride of membership in an elite group, and commanders also use them as on-the-spot awards for outstanding service or performance of duty.
History
The tradition of challenge coins can be traced to World War II, when American forces deployed to the far reaches of the globe to secure the nation’s freedom. Soldiers had long carried coins from home with them into battle, but it was during World War II that the challenge coin tradition began to take shape.
One popular story tells of a wealthy American lieutenant who commissioned bronze medallions to be made for each member of his flying squadron. He wore his own medallion in a small leather pouch around his neck. One day, the lieutenant’s plane was shot down over enemy territory and he was captured. His captors took his uniform and all personal identification except for the small leather pouch around his neck. When they opened the pouch and saw the medallion, they recognized the squadron symbol and realized that he was an American officer. They treated him with respect and eventually released him.
Another story tells of a group of American soldiers who were stationed in Germany after the war. They adopted the German tradition of the “pfennig check,” in which a soldier who could not produce a pfennig when challenged had to buy a round of drinks for his buddies. The Americans adapted this tradition to their own culture, and the challenge coin tradition was born.
Presentation
Presenting a challenge coin is a very personal gesture in the military. The more senior the presenter, the more prestigious the award is perceived to be. Coins given as awards for accomplishments are normally given to the recipient during a handshake, passing from the right hand of the giver to the right hand of the awardee. It is also normal for the giver to offer a brief explanation of the reason for awarding the coin.
Challenge Coin Traditions
Challenge coins are also often used as a way to show camaraderie and support. For example, members of a unit may present their coins to each other before going on a deployment or after completing a difficult task.
Challenge coins are a unique and meaningful tradition that is cherished by members of the military and other organizations around the world. They are a symbol of camaraderie, pride, and accomplishment.
At Mountain Valley, our challenge coins are presented to Veterans by Christy Joyce, our We Honor Veterans community liaison, or one of our wonderful Veteran-to-Veteran volunteers.
More about the We Honor Veterans program
We Honor Veterans empowers hospices and other healthcare providers across the U.S. to meet the unique needs of our military Veterans and their families. This program invites partnerships with hospices, state hospice organizations, hospice-Veteran partnerships and VA facilities.
Mountain Valley is currently a Level 4 partner working toward achieving the newly developed Level 5 — the highest level partnership. This means we are dedicated to providing the highest standards of hospice care to our Veterans while delivering comprehensive specialty programs to our Veteran patients, families and community. We believe the key to our mission is to create a Veterans-centric culture among agency employees, volunteers, and outreach representatives.
