We all have different traditions when it comes to commemorating and paying tribute to our loved ones who have passed away.
In today’s world, honoring the customs of others while commemorating the lives of the departed ought to come as standard practice. Some may choose to follow traditions or practices that the rest of us are not familiar with, but it doesn’t make them any less legitimate.
The same is true with gravestones and the ornamentation certain families choose to place over their loved ones’ last resting places. Coins being placed on headstones is one custom that is widely practiced and that you have probably witnessed at some point. However, why is this even a thing? And from whence did it originate? Continue reading to learn more.
Coins are traditionally placed on gravestones in cemeteries around the United States and other countries. When I was a little child, I first observed it when I was at my grandfather’s tomb, and even then, I started to wonder what it was all about.
Luckily, finding the beginnings online doesn’t need much research. Although it was previously thought that the practice originated with Roman military troops, a number of sources have disproved that theory in recent years.
Still, there’s a military connection to leaving pennies on gravestones. The American Legion Website states on one of its pages that it can be linked to the Vietnam War.
“Leaving a coin was considered a more practical way to communicate that you had visited the soldier’s grave than contacting the soldier’s family, which could devolve into an uncomfortable argument over politics relating to the war, due to the political divide in the country over the war.”
There are other reasons why veterans leave pennies on gravestones in memory of their fallen friends; occasionally, they do so in order to purchase a beer for them. Each coin represents a different meaning, according to reports.
For instance, a nickel is left by someone who served in boot camp with the deceased, whereas a penny just indicates that someone was present.
On the other hand, a dime represents a combined period of military service. Next are quarters, which inform the family of the presence of whoever left the coin at the moment of the loved one’s passing.
Ever notice a penny left on a gravestone? Were you aware of its meaning? Tell us in the comments below.
Emotional reaction of the pilot when he realized why birds were flying next to the plane
In the midst of a routine flight, Jason, a seasoned pilot, encountered a startling disruption that shook his world. A sudden barrage of loud bangs on the plane’s windows left him bewildered, grappling with the unknown source of this disturbance.
Casting his gaze across the horizon, Jason was met with a chilling sight, an enormous flock of birds not merely trailing the aircraft but actively assaulting it.
Frantically attempting to fend off the avian onslaught without jeopardizing the engine, Jason found himself in a precarious situation. Despite his efforts, the birds grew more aggressive, compelling Jason to reassure the uneasy passengers that he had control over the situation.
As the feathered assailants drew nearer, coordinating their attacks on the jet, Jason sought assistance from flight control. To exacerbate the predicament, the control tower remained eerily silent, leaving Jason struggling to maintain command of the aircraft as the avian horde extended beyond the city limits.
The situation escalated when attempting to return to the airport resulted in an even fiercer onslaught by the birds, causing the jet’s engine to fail and initiating a rapid descent.
In a daring move born of desperation, Jason opted for a water landing, a maneuver he had never executed before. Despite the turbulent landing, everyone aboard survived the ordeal.
Upon disembarkation, chaos ensued among the passengers. Despite the staff’s attempts to maintain order, some insisted on disembarking first, inviting further bird attacks. While rescue operations commenced, tugboats were dispatched to extract the plane from the water.
The persistent swarm of birds thwarted the rescue team’s attempts to approach, prompting Jason to propose creating disruptive noises to momentarily disorient the birds and facilitate towing the jet ashore.
A subsequent investigation, prompted by the arrival of law enforcement, uncovered a shocking revelation: a suspected passenger was implicated in the illegal trade of exotic birds. These trafficked birds had disrupted the flock, causing mayhem in the skies.
Justice prevailed when the implicated passenger was apprehended, bringing a sense of relief to Jason and the entire crew. Overwhelmed with gratitude that no lives were lost, Jason shed tears of relief.
His quick thinking not only averted tragedy but also exposed and halted a sinister trade that imperiled both human safety and the unwitting creatures caught up in this airborne spectacle.
This harrowing experience served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable challenges confronting aviation professionals. It underscored the vital role of pilots like Jason, who, in the face of unprecedented adversity, remained resolute in ensuring the safety of all on board.
The remarkable tale of courage and resilience against the odds stands as a testament to the indomitable human spirit and our capacity to surmount even the most extraordinary challenges.
Thanks to Jason’s swift actions, the illicit enterprise responsible for the aberrant bird behavior was dismantled, bringing an end to a dark chapter in aviation history.
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