Leaving a penny at the tomb was a more practical method to indicate that you had paid your respects than calling the soldier’s family, which might lead to an awkward debate about wartime politics.
When their deceased colleagues would eventually be reunited, some Vietnam soldiers would leave pennies as a “down payment” to purchase a beer or play a game of cards.
These more modern times still see coins on both military and non-military markers in addition to other modest artifacts, such as tombstones placed at the head of the burial site or plaques sitting atop the sod.
The sole goal of these little mementos left by guests is to let the family know that someone has paid them a visit.
Coins, particularly pennies, are preferred by those who want to show that the departed are remembered on non-military headstones.
A nickel denotes your shared education, a dime your shared employment, and a quarter your presence at their passing.
