Caisson Platoon gets it’s coins
A few months ago, TSO did a fund raiser here for challenge coins for the Caisson Platoon of the 3rd Infantry Regiment at Fort Myers, Virginia. The American Legion reports on that event;
“When I was going through training with many of you, I kept a little green book where I would write down things I wanted to do differently for the organization, and one of those things was the Caisson Platoon coin” said Lt. Dan Nicolosi, the platoon commander for the Caisson Platoon. Little did he know at the time that Leta Carruth, a long-time civilian supporter of the platoon, was working on getting those very coins. Carruth had previously arranged with The American Legion to provide Carhartt cold weather gear to the Caisson platoon, and once again turned to OCW to aid her in this initiative.
Military challenge coins are usually a coin or medallion bearing the units crest of insignia and are collected by members of the unit and others who provide some service or deserve some special merit. The Caisson Coin developed by Carruth and paid for with funds raised under a special fundraiser done by the military blog “This Ain’t Hell” featured a roughly 5-inch long horseshoe with a horse in the middle. This coin also has etchings along the shoe that have “The Old Guard” written on one side and “United States Army Caisson Platoon” on the obverse.
Category: Army News
🙂
Every so often you get to participate in doing good without any personal gain other than a warm feeling. Thanks for leading the effort Jonn.
Good stuff and good job TSO and Jonn.
Outstanding! One of my most cherished coins is from the Alpha Company Colors squad. Will McCotter–the squad leader–had them minted. He passed away on 26 December 2010 after a battle with cancer. He was diagnosed only a couple of weeks after certifying as a Blackhawk pilot.
Anyway, TOG is a unique assignment, and its specialty platoons are the only ones of their types in the military. Caisson Platoon usually gets overlooked compared to the much more visible Tomb Guards, Drill Team, and even the Continental Color Guard.
Mccotter was a great friend and a great leader, miss him all the time. But it’s good to see that caisson got some coins a little more specific to them
AS Hondo says so many times, my response is….
*smile*
Glad I was able to contribute and be a part of it.
Deeds like this are why I am proud to be a reader of this blog…great work guys.
Word!!!
Great Job TSO and Jonn – the coins look great!
Very cool!!!
Great! Thanks for letting us know, guys.
It is impossible to thank all of you amazing TAH readers, Jonn and TSO enough for making this happen.
Funny story (I think). The day we arrived to present the coins some of the Soldiers told me they had a mandatory formation later that day. I knew it was to present the coins. They all thought is was for a room inspection or some sort of “trouble”. When the new Regimental CSM showed up their anxiety rose a bit. Then when the BDE and Regimental Commanders showed up the smoking area became crowded. HUGE relief when they learned the formation was about the coins that all of you donated to make happen. They were thrilled.
All the folks from Regiment down are so very grateful to all of you. Me, too!
fm 2176 – I couldn’t agree with you more. All of the TOG Soldiers do such amazing work but Caisson is often overlooked. Their day begins at 0400 and ends at 0500. 8 to 10 full honors funerals a day in rain, snow, sleet, wind, heat, etc. Those Soldiers are in the cemetery from around 0830 to 0400 Monday through Friday and sometimes on Saturday.
P. S. They asked Ryan Pitts to present each of the Soldiers with a coin. TSO was selected to be Ryan’s coin helper.
Jonn: We love you, but that poor apostrophe is being overused. Should be “its.”
This is inspiring! Honored to have had the opportunity to help(a tad bit). Good work, all.
Are coins normally so large? Awesome design! Well done and much deserved.
Woot!!! That is outfuckingstanding.
Good on them and us.
Question though: why the Cassions?
The Old Guard gets coins thrown at them. Maybe next time a unit that does a hell of a job without the spotlight…
How do I get one of these coins ? These guys participated in my fathers funeral at Arlington in 1973. I would be honored to have one.