| Author |
 Replies: 12 / Views: 300 |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
527 Posts |
The televison film "Remembering Leonard Nimoy" appeared recently on the local Public Broadcasting System (PBS) channel. The film is a 2017 documentary produced by Health Point Productions and Leonard's daughter Julie Nimoy about the actor who gained fame by playing "Mr. Spock" on the 1960's television series "Star Trek". At the end of the film Leonard Nimoy's gravesite appears and the marker has some United States coins on it, mostly quarters. One of the quarters is a 1976 Bicentennial quarter.  Leonard Nimoy's grave with coins The film offered no explanation for the presence of the coins. |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
6797 Posts |
Quote:
The film offered no explanation for the presence of the coins. Quote:
Leaving coins on a headstone — specifically a deceased soldier's headstone — is a way to convey respect. It's a message to the deceased's family that someone has visited the grave and that the person who left the coins will never forget the sacrifice that was made. Quote:
From 1953 to 1955, he served in the United States Army as a sergeant in the Special Services, an entertainment branch of the American military. Edited by Keith67
Yesterday 12:30 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
9441 Posts |
Now that was an interesting read , thanks guys.
|
|
Moderator
United States
103537 Posts |
Thank you for posting this  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1692 Posts |
The small stones are a Jewish tradition.
I think many folks though, unaware of the traditions, leave tokens as a symbol of remembrance, sort of a physical "you're not forgotten."
Someone, I not not who, leaves sand dollars at my g-g-grand mother's stone in Maine.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
77415 Posts |
Very interesting. Thank you for the nice read and the post. Errers and Varietys.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7228 Posts |
My folks are buried out of State from me, so every time I visit their grave site I leave a 1963 cent on the headstone that way my sisters (who I don't communicate with anymore) and live much closer know that I have visited.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
8020 Posts |
Respectfully disagreeing with some of those sentiments (except in the case of Greasy where it is family).
I see it as well-intentioned litter. Somebody eventually has to clean it up.
You want to honor Leonard Nimoy? How about a small donation to one of his charitable causes in his name?
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
6797 Posts |
tdz, thank you and the crew for what you do.  If others don't know, you tell them again and again Edited by Keith67
Today 9H 16M ago
|
|
Moderator
United States
103537 Posts |
Meaning of Each Coin
Penny: Shows that you visited the grave.
Nickel: Shows that you and the veteran trained together in boot camp.
Dime: Shows that you served together in the military.
Quarter: Shows that you were with the person when they died
History and Practice
Origins: The practice grew in the United States during the Vietnam War as a quiet way to pay respects without stirring up political arguments or contacting grieving families directly.
Where the Money Goes: Cemeteries eventually collect the coins left behind. They use the money for maintenance costs or to help fund burial costs for poor or homeless veterans
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
8020 Posts |
Dearborn, thanks for that explanation. Any day I learn something new is a good day.  Quote:
Quarter: Shows that you were with the person when they died Anyone here think those six quarters were left by six people who were with him when he died? Let's face it, American culture has a special place for celebrities of all kinds. And telling all your friends where you are and what you're doing (selfie culture). I'd attribute most of the coins to that. I visit a cemetery the same way I visit a national park or any other sacred space: Leave No Trace. Edited by tdziemia
Today 3H 50M ago
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
6797 Posts |
Quote:
Anyone here think those six quarters were left by six people who were with him when he died?
"We" were all "There" ...   |
|
Moderator
United States
103537 Posts |
Quote:
Anyone here think those six quarters were left by six people who were with him when he died? That is the tradition - usually followed by military service men and women - most civilians do not know this so just follow suit and place a coin as they pass by I will place a penny on my brothers grave marker at the VA Cemetery every year on Memorial Day. |
| |
Replies: 12 / Views: 300 |
|
Posted Yesterday 3:35 pm
