Wednesday's Warriors - Coin Challenge at the RT Booklovers' Convention

Military commanders give out specially minted coins to those who go above and beyond the call of duty.  Above are coins I received for sending donations to Iraq.  Likewise, military personnel carry a unit coin to demonstrate their camaraderie. Below are coins I received in Hawaii.

 

It becomes a point of pride on Friday night at the club when someone yells "coin challenge".   Military personnel pull out their coins and place them on the bar.  Those who do not have a coin buys the round of drinks.   Those who do have coins determine who has the highest ranking coin.   In theory, a coin from POTUS - President of the United States - is the highest ranking coin. However, I have a coin from John Baca, a Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, one that I treasure.

On October 12, 1945, President Truman had the honor to present the Medal of Honor (link),

As I have told the rest of these young men who have been here before me, I would much rather have that Medal around my neck than to be President of the United States. It is the greatest honor that can come to a man. It is an honor that all of us strive for, but very few of us ever achieve.

John Baca's Medal of Honor coin is the lower left, nestled among my SEAL coins.    

I invite the readers and authors attending the RT Booklovers Convention to bring their favorite military coins.  Tuck it into your badge holder, especially at the bar, as you never know when I will call for coin challenge.

If you don't have a coin, make your own!  Find your favorite state quarter, half dollar, foreign coin, or even a poker chip!

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Do you have a military coin?  Have you seen one?  If not, what would you select for your substitute coin?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, April 28, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, April 29.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Sign up for free tickets to the Military Tribute during the RT Booklovers Convention at this link.   The Military Tribute is open to anyone who would like to honor military families (do not have to be registered for the convention).   

My husband's coin rack in the shape of the Pentagon.

Coin Challenge at the RT Booklovers Convention

defense.gov

Here ye, Here ye!   I am implementing a coin challenge for RT/NOLA. This is tradition for military personnel to carry around his/her unit's coin. When challenged, those in the area pull out their coins ... and those without their coins buy a round of drinks.

We'll modify this for RT/NOLA.   If you have military connections, bring any coin that is available to you.  No military connections? Make your own coin!  Use a favorite state quarter, souvenir poker chip, foreign coin - anything that you can "pull out" of your badge holder.

When you see me at the convention in an Aloha Shirt, pull out your coin for a special treat.   You can also coin check me at the SOS America promo table in Club RT (link).  Stop by to see how you can support deployed personnel.  We accept donations of unwanted books from the convention to distribute to military families. 

We'll have a coin check at the SOS America Military Tribute on Sunday morning (link)

Kathryn Falk, founder of SOS America Inc., invites all booklovers to join her for this annual salute to military families. Our celebration includes an Honor Guard, barbershop quartet, and special guest speaker Chief Michael Jaco, retired U.S. Navy SEAL. We will recognize military veterans from the United States and its allies, plus the extended family who serve back home. Goody bags will be presented to the military families.

Please share with any friends attending the convention ... and be prepared for the coin check!

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City