Stories
Our Troops, Veterans, Wounded Warriors & Families
“Our Troops and Veterans remind us of what our country can be at its best – A nation of citizens who look out for one another: who meet our obligations to one another, not just when it is easy but when it is hard, especially when it’s hard…”
—President Barak Obama
So many of the 150,000 Caring Coins which have been shared around the world have been shared with our troops, veterans and their families from the very beginning starting with 650 Troops in the Vermont National Guard who were going to Mississippi to train to go to Iraq, to the Caring Coins and hand-made cards shared with Veterans at the Rhode Island Veterans Home by the students at Eldridge Elementary School in East Greenwich, Rhode Island.
Caring Coins and our Troops, Veterans and their Families…
Not long after the Caring Coins were created Salley Gibney heard about 650 Vermonters leaving Vermont to go to Mississippi to train to go to Iraq. I heard on a Tuesday that they were leaving on Thursday. I contacted the commander and asked to talk with him. He said “Lady if you can find me you can speak with me…” I did find him and did send each of the 650 soldiers a Caring Coin with a letter signed by a Vermonter who cared about them. The response was amazing. Many wrote and emailed that they were wearing the Caring Coins with their dog tags. Thousands and thousands more Caring Coins followed to the troops overseas and home through the Veterans Hospitals, the National Guard, families, churches and more…
With the formation of YANAF (You Are Never Alone Foundation) Caring Coins were shared at each of the pre-deployment and post deployment events in Vermont, sharing Caring Coins with each soldier and all of their family members. Needless to say, this was a very touching experience. “I Matter, You Matter” Programs were adapted for the children of the troops with the help of professionals who were knowledgeable about what these children were facing.
As the troops coming home and their families struggled with reintegration issues, the Caring Coins with the messages that they mattered and were not alone, someone cared about them was greatly appreciated. This has continued through the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and beyond.
It was an honor for each one of us meeting these troops and their families to meet these wonderful men and women of all ages who could be our spouses, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and in some cases even our grandchildren.
The Caring Coins were at:
The Walk to Defeat ALS…
…at the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington, Vermont on Saturday, October 18th honoring the brother of our Founder who had passed from ALS. Each participant at the Walk to Defeat ALS received an I matter…You matter Caring Coin to keep and one to share. More than 500 people participated. YANAF has participate in this Annual Event every year. This Event was very close to Salley Gibney’s heart as her brother-in-law had been diagnosed with ALS and was a resident at the Veterans Home in Bennington, VT. Alan kept his Caring Coin with him and shared Caring Coins with his friends, their families and the staff at the Veterans Home.
Student Programs…
…where students visited and spent time with the Veterans at the Veterans Home in Bennington, Vermont.
“At first I was nervous to talk with the veterans. I didn’t know what to say. But then I listened to them and I found myself in a conversation with them. We kids can learn a lot from the Veterans.”
The social worker wrote: “As a social worker at the Veterans Home, I know how lonely and forgotten many of the veterans feel. Many eyes lit up when youth came with the caring coins. They not only brought joy that one day, the Caring Coins are a long-term reminder of their visit and a reminder that they are not forgotten. Thank you!”
The students also facilitated an I Matter, You Matter Day Event at the Veterans Home celebrating the Veterans and their families.
The Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War
“Honoring the Vietnam veterans, our fallen, our wounded, those unaccounted for, our former prisoners of war, their families, and all who served with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.”
Following the Commemoration Ceremony, YANAF sponsored the I Matter…You Matter Event at the Vermont Veterans Home celebrating all Veterans and their families. All received Caring Coins.
Wounded Warriors Weekend
Caring Coins have been shared with the Wounded Warriors and their families and volunteers every January for seven years. Warm smiles and love fill the room as volunteers thank our heroes for their service and the many sacrifices they have made for us and for our country. The Caring Coins are tangible reminders to them that they have not been forgotten.
Some responses from our troops:
A soldier from Iraq wrote:
“The angel coins went over really well in Iraq. People kept them on their desks at work, or in a pocket. It meant a lot to us to know people were thinking of us, and praying for us while we were over there. Having a small token to look at or carry around was good because it was a tangible thing to help us remember. I think that maybe the families of deployed soldiers might benefit from the coins as well. It could serve as a reminder for those that are away.”
A soldier:
“My tour in Iraq has been very difficult…my angel coin reminds me I am not alone…I wear it with my dog tags.”
From a colonel stationed in Iraq:
“I put my hand in a shoebox full of coin shaped medallions that were sent by kids at a church from home. I placed it on my dog tags. It was a cute little medallion with an angel on one side and the inscription You are never alone. On the other side was the signature of a child. The clear implication is that between the angel and the prayers of the child, I am never alone, even though I am in the middle of Iraq. What a wonderful and thoughtful message. About two weeks later, I wanted to take the time to write a thank you note to the class and decided to try to read the name. It was obviously challenging for the student to write on such a small medallion. It was not that clear and I had not paid attention when I first strung it on my dog tag chain. When I pulled it back out of my shirt and looked hard to focus, I realized that it was from a young boy who must be the grandson of my eighth grade English teacher and a good friend. The tradition lives on…”
A Commander wrote:
“This note about the Caring Coins was special because it was a sign of possible continued connection and communication among people who sponsored the coins and vets who were far away. After all, what Vet does not like receiving a note from home!”
Another Commander wrote:
“Coins were a big hit. Some folks even included their email addresses on the cards which will allow the soldiers stationed far away an opportunity to thank them and communicate via email. Thanks again for all your hard work. Your effort is appreciated.”
A volunteer helping to hand out coins to World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq veterans at another Veteran’s Home:
“Plenty of smiles on many a soldier.”
Intake person at the VA:
“As an intake person at a VA Hospital, I have the opportunity to share the Caring Coins with the returning wounded. Some feel forgotten already. The Caring Coins remind them that someone cares. You can see the gratitude in their eyes. The Caring Coins are gifts of hope.” Equally fulfilling came a flurry of notes directly from the troops who were stationed elsewhere serving out their commitments.
A volunteer at a Veterans Hospital writes:
“I gave little gift packages to the in-patients at the hospital. A Caring Coin was included in the package. When I asked a patient if he had received that package, he said he had. When I asked what he thought of it, he said “there was this wooden thing in it that said “You are never alone”. When the volunteer asked what he thought of it, he said he had given it to his wife. Then after a few moments, he said “…you know I have been thinking about that saying “You are never alone. And I’m thinking that I probably was not alone in going through what I’m going through, I mean I’m probably not the only one with this disease. I’m really not alone am I? I kind of wish I hadn’t given that wooden thing to my wife…” I just happened to have another Caring Coin with me, which I gave to him.