Challenge Coin

While visiting Beckie on family day last Thursday I was in the museum's gift shop to purchase her units challenge coin as a gift to her.  A challenge coin was traditionally presented as mementos of service in the Army Air Corps.  When a pilot was shot down behind enemy lines during WWI, his identification taken from him, he was able to identify himself as American after his escape, by his unit coin.  Today, these coins have spread through the military and beyond.  They are larger than a 50 cent piece and usually say something about the giver.  They are given as symbols of merit and achievement through a handshake.  In my case, I have been given several as a token of appreciation.

As I paid for the coin, I noticed the gentleman behind the counter had a Purple Heart embroidered on his shirt, he also proudly had his stack of ribbons hanging around his neck.  When I thanked him for his service, he said he wore the purple heart for those who did not return.  I told him that my son was one of those, and pointed to my gold star pin.  He bowed his head for several seconds, then looked up and simply said "I'm sorry".  He let me pay then stopped me again, reached into his pocket and pulled out his coin to present to me. 

I was stunned, I did not know this man, and he was giving me a very special coin indeed.  On one side is the Purple Heart, the other is:  Walter S Laban, 29 May 51, Korea, USMC.  It was Walt I was speaking with, and I could see in his eyes, he never forgot those that did not come home with him.  I held the coin in my clenched hand to my heart and with no words thanked him, we both left each other with a tear in our eyes.

Besides the graduation, this was the single most memorable moment of my trip.  War has many casualties.