Finding ways to celebrate a loved one’s memory becomes vital for many after they pass away, as losing a loved one is always a tough event. While flower arrangements and other tributes are typical, there is a specific meaning associated with laying pennies on gravestones, especially for veterans and service members and their families.
A Tradition Worth Keeping
Though its exact roots are unknown, some have speculated that the custom of laying coins on gravestones originated during the Roman Empire. However, according to Snopes, there is insufficient evidence to back up this assertion. However, one thing is certain: people who have a strong bond with military people are aware of the sacrifices they make and are looking for a significant way to remember their lost colleagues.
It became increasingly difficult for people to express their emotions honestly during the Vietnam War. It became customary to place a coin on a soldier’s tomb to signify that someone had paid them a visit without running the danger of awkward talks regarding the political sides of the conflict. The gesture was a straightforward but effective way for people to express respect and unity.
Symbolic Honor Representations
Every penny placed on a gravestone has a special meaning associated with it. Here are few instances:
A penny is a sign that someone has paid their respects and visited the tomb.
Deeper emotional significance can be derived from a nickel, which represents a bond between the individual who left it and the dead soldier from boot camp.
A dime signifies cooperation, even if it was just briefly before splitting up.
The most important coin, the quarter, acts as a monument by informing the bereaved family that the person who left the coin was there during their time of grief.
These coins remind us of the sacrifices made by those who serve in the military and act as tangible representations of respect and tribute, bridging the gap between the past and present.
Past Gravestones
Not all military traditions involve coins, such as placing money on gravestones. Military troops are big fans of challenge coins, which have no monetary worth but are extremely significant. These coins, which stand for oneness, are frequently traded as trophies of friendship and honor.
Throughout history, coins have also had a variety of roles in cultural practices. They have been regarded as representations of good fortune, giving, and even riches. While this isn’t always the case, some people in the past were buried with their riches. For instance, it’s been reported that two dollars and fifty cents were buried with Abraham Lincoln’s eyes covered.
The deeper significance of laying pennies on gravestones is to commemorate and recognize the extraordinary efforts made by those who are serving in the military and their families, even though there may not be a clear relationship between money and this practice. It serves as a reminder to ourselves that their sacrifices are priceless.
6 Jokes That Offer Both Hilarious and Valuable Life Lessons
Buckle up, folks! We’re about to embark on a laugh-filled journey that might just teach you a thing or two. These six jokes aren’t just your average knee-slappers—they’re packed with wisdom that’ll make you chuckle and think about writing them down.
Life has a funny way of teaching us lessons, doesn’t it? Sometimes it’s through heartbreak, sometimes through triumph, and sometimes—just sometimes—it’s through a well-timed joke that makes you spit out your coffee.
A man laughing in a coffee shop | Source: Pexels
Today, we’re diving into the world of humor with a twist: jokes that not only tickle your funny bone but also impart some genuine wisdom.
Now, you might be thinking, Jokes? Wisdom? Are we talking about fortune cookies here? Nope, we’re talking about good old-fashioned storytelling with a punchline that packs a punch and a moral that sticks with you long after the laughter fades.
So, let’s dive into these six hilarious tales that prove laughter truly is the best teacher.
A woman laughing | Source: Pexels
Joke #1: The $800 Shower Interruption
A woman was getting out of the shower when she heard the doorbell ring. Her husband was going to shower, so she quickly grabbed a towel, wrapped it around herself, and descended the stairs to open the door.
She was greeted by Bob, the neighbor who apparently missed the memo on appropriate visiting hours. Before she could ask what brought him to her doorstep, he said something that sounded too good to be true.
“I’ll give you $800 to drop that towel.”
A man standing outdoors | Source: Midjourney
Now, the quick-thinking woman did some rapid mental math. On the one hand, dignity. On the other, $800.
In no time, the towel hit the floor, and the woman stood in front of Bob without anything on.
Bob, true to his word (and probably wondering if he should’ve started the bidding lower), handed over the cash and left.
The woman closed the door, picked up the towel, and wrapped it around herself again before returning to her room.
A woman in a towel looking at herself in the mirror | Source: Pexels
Back upstairs, her husband, blissfully unaware of the impromptu peep show, asked about the visitor.
“Who was that?”
“It was Bob, the next-door neighbor.”
“Great!” he said. “Did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?”
Moral of the story:
If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.
Or, in simpler terms: Always know the full details of a deal before you strip down to the essentials!
A woman covering her mouth with her hands | Source: Pexels
Joke #2: The Genie’s Corporate Retreat Gone Wrong
It was an ordinary day for our intrepid trio: a sales rep, an administration clerk, and their manager. They were on their way to lunch when fate intervened in the form of a dusty old lamp.
Now, most people would’ve walked right past it, but our heroes weren’t most people. They decided to rub it and were shocked to see a genie pop out of it.
This wasn’t your average, run-of-the-mill genie. No, this was a genie with a strict one-wish-per-person policy.
Blue smoke coming out of a lamp | Source: Midjourney
The administration clerk, showcasing the lightning-fast decision-making skills that had kept her in an entry-level position for years, jumped in first.
“I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world!”
Poof! She vanished, leaving behind only the faint scent of coconut sunscreen and poor life choices.
The sales rep went next.
“I want to be in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Piña Coladas, and the love of my life!”
A man enjoying a drink on a beach | Source: Pexels
Poof! He too disappeared, leaving behind a cloud of desperation and the lingering question of who would cover his afternoon calls.
Finally, it was the manager’s turn.
“I want those two back in the office after lunch!”
Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.
Joke #3: A Testament to Misinterpretation
Once upon a time, a priest offered a lift to a nun, and she hopped in.
A priest driving a car | Source: Midjourney
As they cruised along, the nun crossed her legs, causing her gown to reveal more than the usual abundance of ankle. The priest, suddenly remembering he was human under that collar, nearly turned their holy roller into a highway disaster.
After regaining control of both the car and his composure, the priest decided to test the waters of temptation. He stealthily slid his hand up the nun’s leg.
The nun calmly said, “Father, remember Psalm 129?”
A nun in a car looking at the driver | Source: Midjourney
The priest quickly pulled his hand back. However, he couldn’t resist for too long.
Once again, his hand embarked on its unholy pilgrimage up her leg. And once again, the nun dropped the biblical breadcrumb: “Father, remember Psalm 129?”
“Sorry sister,” the priest said.
Upon reaching their destinations, the nun went on her merry way. Meanwhile, the priest raced to look up Psalm 129.
And there it was, in black and white: “Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.”
A close-up of a priest reading a book | Source: Pexels
Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.
Joke #4: The Lazy Bird’s Cautionary Tale
In a forest where animals apparently had nothing better to do than philosophize about laziness, a crow decided to make “doing nothing” an Olympic sport.
Perched high up in a tree, this feathered slacker was living his best life, probably contemplating the meaning of “caw” or wondering why he wasn’t born a peacock.
Enter the rabbit, the forest’s aspiring couch potato.
A rabbit in a forest | Source: Pexels
“Can I also sit like you and do nothing all day long?” he asked the crow.
“Sure, why not,” the crow replied.
So, the rabbit, feeling like he’d just won the laziness lottery, plopped himself down at the base of the tree.
He stretched out, probably thinking, This is the life. No more running, no more annoying ‘what’s up doc’ jokes. Just me, the ground, and sweet, sweet nothingness.
But alas, there’s always someone waiting to take advantage of your downtime. A fox spotted the lazy rabbit.
A fox in the wild | Source: Pexels
In no time, he pounced on the rabbit and turned him into lunch. It was a harsh lesson in the food chain.
Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very high up.
Or, to put it in modern terms: If you’re going to slack off, make sure you’re out of reach of the office predators.
Joke #5: The Turkey’s Climb to Success
A turkey | Source: Pexels
In a farmyard where dreams apparently grew as high as the trees, a turkey with lofty ambitions struck up an odd conversation with a bull.
“I’d love to reach the top of that tree,” the turkey sighed, eyeing the towering oak.
The bull, ever helpful (and full of it), offered a unique solution.
“Why don’t you nibble on my droppings? They’re packed with nutrients.”
It was the kind of advice that would make any nutritionist faint.
Close-up of a bull’s face | Source: Pexels
Surprisingly, the turkey followed the advice and after a hearty meal, she found the strength to reach the lowest branch. Emboldened by this success, she continued her dung-fueled ascent day after day.
Finally, on the fourth day, there he was, proudly perched at the treetop. Little did he know, his high-rise success story was about to come crashing down.
A farmer, spotting this out-of-place turkey, decided it was time for an impromptu Thanksgiving.
A farmer | Source: Pexels
With one shot, our ambitious bird’s dreams of greatness were quite literally shot down.
Moral of the story:
In the game of life, make sure your success is built on solid ground, not just solid waste.
Joke #6: The Bird, the Dung, and the Deceitful Cat
Picture a small bird, flying south for the winter, probably dreaming of piña coladas and tiny bird-sized sunglasses. Suddenly, the cold hit hard, and the bird dropped into a field.
A bird in the air | Source: Pexels
While he was frozen there, a cow came by and dropped a steaming pile of dung right on top of him.
Instead of being the final insult, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
The warm dung thawed out the bird, who, finding himself in this unlikely hot tub, began to sing joyfully. Little did he know his happiness was quite short-lived.
A passing cat was intrigued by this singing pile of dung. He quickly dug the bird out but ate him instead of offering him a towel.
A close-up shot of a cat | Source: Pexels
Moral of the story:
Life’s messy situations often teach us valuable lessons. Remember, not everyone who dumps on you is your enemy, and not everyone who pulls you out of a mess is your friend. Most importantly, when you find yourself in a deep pile of trouble, it’s often best to keep quiet and assess the situation before reacting.
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