If You See Coins on Idaho Gravestones You Should Leave Them There

On Memorial Day, hundreds of Idahoans visit the Idaho Veterans Cemetery to pay their respects to the brave men and women who've served our country.

We haven't seen the exact "whos" and "whens" for this year quite yet, but typically the day includes a series of speakers, a wreath presentation and flyovers. When those details for 2023 are finalized, we'll update you right here.

If you go to the ceremony or visit later in the day and decide to look more closely at the gravesites, you may notice a handful of coins sitting on top of them. Why are they there? What do they mean?

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A few years ago, a member of a local car club explained it to us during a visit to the cemetery. Leaving coins on a gravestone is a tradition that's gone on for many years. Each denomination of coin visitors place represents a different message for the fallen soldier's family, which is why you should leave them there.

What Does Each Coin Represent?

Photo by Adam on Unsplash

Penny

A penny means that you visited to pay respect.

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Nickel

A nickel means you were part of boot camp at the same time as the fallen soldier.

Photo by Shot by Cerqueira on Unsplash

Dime

A dime means you served with the fallen soldier at some time during their time in the service.

Photo by Chris Briggs on Unsplash

Quarter

A quarter means you were present when the soldier was killed.

Michelle Heart, Townsquare Media

What Happens to the Coins Left on Military Graves?

If they're left in a national or state veterans cemeteries, they're usually collected and put toward either the burial costs for needy veterans or upkeep of the facility.

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Another Special Memorial Day Event

The Warhawk Museum in Nampa is coordinating a flyover of five vintage WWII-era fighter planes on Memorial Day. It's scheduled to soar over a handful of area cemeteries and hospitals on Memorial Day, May 29. Here's a sneak peak at the route:

10:59 a.m. - Saint Alphonsus Nampa (South Side)
11:00 a.m. - Kohlerlawn Cemetery
11:03 a.m. - St. Luke's Meridian (West Side)
11:03 a.m. Kleiner Park
11:04 a.m. - Sait Alphonsus Eage (South Side)
11:11 a.m. - Veterans Cemetery
11:13: a.m. - Morris Hill
11:14 a.m. - St. Luke's Boise and Boise VA (South Side
11:15 a.m. - Veterans Memorial Park
11:16 AM - Cloverdale Cemetery
11:17 a.m. - Meridian Cemetery

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