Speaker Pelosi and Challenge Coins

[littlemissmartypants]

Pelosi just went outside and thanked the troops protecting the Capitol, and game them all her challenge coin: https://t.co/VbOhyFxcVj

Link to tweet

https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/coin-check/

Coin Check

The United States Military is not known for being touchy-
ely. There’s not much hugging or head-patting, and superiors don’t always have the authority to offer a serviceman a raise or promotion.

When a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard wants to show appreciation, love, sympathy, or professional connection, they can use challenge coins.

Challenge coins are not currency. Different branches of the military have different uses and customs for them, but when they’re being given or exchanged, the coins serve as literal tokens of gratitude. They can symbolize everything from a nod of appreciation to a deep personal connection.

Challenge coins don’t exactly look like regular coins. First of all, they’re usually pretty large– about two inches in diameter– and they can be in any shape and color imaginable. They can look like a ninja star, or a crown, or a ship, and be covered in glitter or glow-in-the-dark paint. Some have centers that can spin or have a built in bottle opener.

Within the military, coins are exchanged with a traditional handshake. The coin-giver places the coin in their palm and reached out to shake the hand of the coin-recipient. Then, hand grasped, they turn their handshake over so that the coin falls from one palm to the other.



President Obama gives Challenge Coin to fallen veteran’s sister:

Much more at the link...
https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/coin-check/

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❤ lmsp

[SheltieLover]

1. Ty. I had no idea this was a thing.

[littlemissmartypants]

3. Isn't it cool? I just hope she thoroughly washed her hands afterwards. nt

[SheltieLover]

5. I'm sure she did

Yes, it is!

[littlemissmartypants]

7. ❤

[stillcool]

2. the things I learn around here...amazing.

[TomSlick]

4. Army folks love those coins.

Many soldiers have collections - often prominently displayed.

The following is from an internet ad.
[link:?quality=80&bg-color=255,255,255&fit=bounds&height=&width=&canvas=:|

[littlemissmartypants]

6. Did you see the picture of President Clinton in the article?

[TomSlick]

8. I did not. That's quite a display.

[littlemissmartypants]

9. Just to clarify. . . from the article. . .

"...Bill Clinton’s presidential portrait, he’s posing in front of his collection of challenge coins."




❤lmsp

[electric_blue68]

10. Wow, what a great tradition! And yay, Nancy.

[littlemissmartypants]

12. To quote a famous DUer. . .

Yes, indeed.

❤ lmsp

[KY_EnviroGuy]

11. That's what I call a humble, gracious display of patriotism.

KY.............

[littlemissmartypants]

13. Some of those troops have never been to the Congress before. Maybe most.

And she's definitely a Patriot.

Isn't it a great way to welcome them and express her gratitude?

❤lmsp

[KY_EnviroGuy]

14. Yes, and those troops will learn a lot about our government while there....

and take it back home with them!

Don't care much for Politico but this is a good article on the deployment and Speaker Pelosi's meeting with them:

Pelosi thanks National Guard troops ahead of impeachment proceedings

The speaker thanked the troops and their families "for protecting the Capitol and our democracy," a spokesperson for Pelosi said.

Link: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/13/pelosi-national-guard-troops-impeachment-458944

"Even during this dark time in the history of America, we find reasons for hope. It was my privilege today to personally thank members of the National Guard who are working protect our nation’s Capitol," Pelosi wrote on Twitter. "Thank you for your commitment to our American democracy."

KY........

[littlemissmartypants]

15. Thanks for sharing this.

I love the picture. Too bad I couldn't post it. Thanks for sharing the article, too.

❤ lmsp