I Challenge You…….there are hundreds of challenge coins out there. There are as many stories about where they originated as there are coins. You can research it yourself but I think it is safe to say that challenge coins have their origins in the military. Over the years they have spilled out into the main stream, like most military traditions. And as they did the fire service gravitated toward the coins, like a lot of other military traditions. They are small, fit in your pocket and tell everyone who sees it, what you do, who you are.
I have several challenge coins, all fire related. My prized coin is the one I got once I had been with my department for 5 years. The only way to get that coin is to earn it, five years with the department. Believe me, the men and women of my department look forward to that day like a pro football player getting a super bowl ring.
That is what started me collecting challenge coins, I found that there are some really awesome challenge coins out there, to collect. I have given them to my guys on my shift for Christmas and they loved them. I look for the challenge coins that are really, really cool looking. Unusual and unique, and there are several out there. Fire and Axes has some of the nicest coins on the market, the most unique being our “Squad 666 Dancing with the Devil” coin. Only available through Fire and Axes, designed by firefighters for firefighters. It is a coin that really sums up who we are and what we do.
I challenge you……to take a look at our coins, especially the “Squad 666” coin. I guarantee that if you are challenged, there will not be a more unique fire service coin out there.
Until next time,
Captain K