Pocket Tokens

The Naval Special Warfare Group has been in the news a lot lately for their heroic deeds and sacrifices seen around the world.  On May 2, 2011 a group of the elite Navy Seals, a division of under Naval Special Warfare Command, eliminated Osama Bin Laden which thrust the NSWC into the spotlight as the upper echelon of the armed forces.  The world also watched the tragedy of August 6, 2011 when a helicopter crash killed 17 Navy Seals, as well as 8 American and 8 Afghan operatives.  In between these events we were called upon to create a custom challenge coin for the families of the NSWC members stationed in Virginia Beach.  The Virginia Beach outpost of the Naval Special Warfare Command just so happened to be where the families of many fallen soldiers of the August incident lived.

It was a very sobering feeling knowing that just a few weeks before these challenge coins were delivered to the Virginia Beach area that these families were filled with pride for what the Seals had accomplished.  Yet soon after receiving these pocket tokens these families would be filled grief over the loss of their fallen family members.  The coin reads simply "We Also Serve" and outlines the figure of a mother holding an infant, and a little boy saluting the American flag.  The message is simple and powerful, our military families truly serve behind the scenes. 

As much as we as a nation have thanked the troops in all branches of the military for their valiant support and service, I want to take a minute to say thank you to all of the military families out there that also serve.  Thank you for being a support to our heroes.  Thank you to the spouses that endure sleepless nights for the sake of our freedom.  Thank you to the parents of these brave men and women for raising such courageous pillars of humanity.  Finally, thank you to the children of these men and women for carrying the spirit of bravery and justice into generations to come.

If you have taken the time to read this post, I strongly encourage you to leave a message of inspiration to not just the families of the NSWC, but to all families of service men and women so that they might see how much we appreciate them as well.

Ever since I first saw a Letterman Late Night Top Ten list I have always found the spirit of such a list alluring.  I cannot seem to contain myself from clicking a "Top Ten Reasons...", or "Top Ten Places..."  link, even if it doesn't hold the same satire that Dave has so famously infused in his lists.  So in this vein of thinking I thought it was due time for me to create a Top Ten list of my own, the "Top Ten Reasons to Create a Custom Challenge Coin."

#10 - A challenge coin is a great piece of advertising.  When you spruce up a coin with a company logo and contact info you've just created a great promotional piece for your organization.  A great handout to prospective and existing clients.

#9 - Coins are a great way to show appreciation.  It's a great feeling to give and receive a challenge coin in recognition of a job well done.

#8 - Celebrate an anniversary or a milestone.  A custom challenge coin is a great piece to hand out at a commemorative event.

#7 - The collector's item appeal.  Ask any person that has received a few coins over the years and they can tell you, once you start collecting you are always looking for more.

#6 - Great source of inspiration.  After a person receives a coin they will likely carry it around in their pocket if it is sentimental to them.  I have heard many stories of customers creating a pocket token with an inspirational passage engraved on it.  When they are having a bad day they can pull the token out and appreciate the message.

#5 - Honor a civil servant.  Police Officers / Firefighters / and Soldiers are all accustomed to the challenge coin appeal.  Coins and tokens are traded between departments and units for many different reasons.  A simple thank you coin to hand out to a soldier or officer would go a long way in making their day.

#4 - Speaking of Soldiers and Officers... If you are an active officer or soldier and your department or unit does not have a custom coin made then you need to get that resolved now.  It's always polite to reciprocate the gesture when you are given a coin.

#3 - It's a fun process.  Not everyone is an artist by trade, but that shouldn't stop you from having us design a custom coin for you.  We enjoy coming up with new ways to manipulate the metal for your custom design. 

#2 - Stimulate the economy! Let's face it, when you order a custom coin from us you're keeping our doors open and the business growing! 

#1 - Something to call your own.  When you create a custom coin it is entirely yours, no one will have a coin like it.  There is a good feeling in knowing you have created something completely unique.