This is such an important unwritten rule to follow anywhere when paying respects in a cemetery. These are tributes to servicemen and women. DO NOT TAKE THEM.

Don't Steal These From a Cemetery

I am the furthest thing from an expert when it comes to human behavior, but I really think what's wrong isn't a problem we can blame on 'these kids today', at least not entirely.

There's a lack of good role models in way too many young people's lives. I suppose something could also be said about the abundance of bad role models around every corner.

The beautiful tributes disappearing from cemeteries way too often are not something we can just blame on young people who think it's harmless, it's far too many grown folks, in various forms, telling young people,

It's no big deal, nobody got hurt.

That's just bad information. It's theft, someone always gets hurt when a theft occurs.

When you see who these special gravesite tributes are for, I don't think you'll say, "it's no big deal."

What You Should Never Take When Visiting a Cemetery in Illinois (or Anywhere)

Have you ever been to a cemetery and seen coins left on top of a headstone? Maybe you saw a penny. Some headstones had a nickel or a dime. If you saw a quarter on top of a headstone, you were standing in the presence of great sadness, and sacrifice.

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Here is what those coins on top of headstones mean and why you see them a lot around Memorial Day, and Veteran's Day, too.

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According to Veteran Up,

A penny placed on a headstone means you stopped and paid your respects.

A nickel placed on a headstone means you attended boot camp with them.

A dime placed on a headstone means you served in the Armed Forces with them.

The last coin tribute comes from a pretty emotional place. Someone leaving this coin behind was likely cloaked in some grief and sadness.

Reason You Should Never Take This When Visiting a Cemetery in Illinois
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A quarter placed on a headstone means you were with the soldier when they were killed.

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