I think Challenge Coins are an amazing tradition. Thank you to everyone on here that has, or is currently, serving our nation!
I accumulated a few in my 22 years on active duty. Each one holds some kind of memory. Here's a photo of a few of them.
It's late, and I've had a 'few', but let me say this.......God Bless you all for your service. You guys are the 'stuff' this nation is made of, and the service you've all rendered is incalculable. We all owe you a debt of gratitude.......
Okay, so here is a portion of my collection so far. My most 'distinguished' or 'valuable' one first, then the rest I have here at home. 1st - From GEN (Ret) Erik Shinseki, former Army Chief of Staff In the group, I have 3 from my first Unit 1/63rd Armor, a few from different higher commands in Vilseck, Germany, GEN B.B Bell, a few hospitals, a few units that I did medical coverage for, my 173rd Airborne Association coin.
I have about 15 challenge coins from when I was in the Army. My most valued one is a numbered coin from the 8th EOD in Korea. I have seen a lot of really cool looking coins out there, but I can't bring myself to just "buy" one. Being in possession of a coin that I didn't earn or from a unit I didn't serve in would just feel wrong. I suppose I could buy some WWI, WWII, Korea, or Vietnam era coins without feeling like I'm cheating, since I'm not old enough to have been there.
I recognized the 173rd right off the bat. I have quite a few from the 101st that my son had. I'll try to post a few later.
The way I see it, if you like the coin, get it. Just have the integrity to tell others you purchased it rather than earned it. I'm not questioning your integrity, just sayin' I've bought a few coins at the Clothing and Sales store, more for their looks and they aren't pictured above. Just cool tokens for the collection. My retirement shadowbox is going to be full of coins!
It is one of my favorite ones. When I'm in San Antonio I carry it with me as there is a bar right off Fort Sam Houston that gives free drinks to members. I deployed with 173rd in '03 as a part of the first multi-functional task force of Infantry, Tankers, Engineers. It was a great deployment, and working with the 173rd and being given the honor of deploying as a part of such a historic unit was amazing.
Thanks for your service. You never know you and my son may have crossed paths somewhere in northern Iraq. He was in C/2/502 101st Airborne in 03 and humped mainly from Kuwait to Mosul.
The 173rd has the distinction of being the only U.S unit to make a jump in Vietnam-Junction City. The 101st converted to Air Mobile, which I believe they still are, and the 82nd spent a good part of the war on riot duty over here. I wasn't In Vietnam or any other war for that matter but I like studing about it and collecting club tokens issued by units that were over there. There's over 3,000 issues.
Back 1968 1st Cav /1044th PT we did not have a Challenge coin. but we had cards like this mine are tucked a way.but here what some looked like this 1 above.
Well, to each his own, but I'll buy them. The ones I was given/earned are obviously the most cherished. I like them though. I found one here in Korea commemorating the 1994 AMC Rodeo (not cows but airplanes), held at McChord, where I used to be stationed. Think I'm going to buy it.
