Combatting terrorism with `payback coin'

0 Comments | Insight on the News, Nov 12, 2002 | by John Elvin

Back before the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Department of Defense (DoD) designed a commemorative coin recognizing America's fight against terrorism. That coin became a part of history when the first sample impression of it survived the attack on the Pentagon. The coin was sitting on the desk of Ed Rowe, assistant for policy coordination in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Terrorism, when the hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 hit. Workers dug the coin out of the debris, gritty and dirty but, with a bit of spit and polish still ready for duty. Since then, the coins have been minted and some of them were flown along on bombing missions in Afghanistan. It has been dubbed the "payback coin" by its producers.

"Word of the coin spread through the military by word-of-mouth and e-mail," said Steve Barker, owner and president of Striking Impressions, the firm authorized by the DoD to produce the coins for retail sale. "Groups in and out of the military have been buying quantities. We're hoping it will become the logo for this campaign," he told nation in brief.

While the coin is being used in military-incentive and recognition programs, Barker said the overall objective is to provide Americans with a symbol of "great inspiration and great pride." He said a portion of the proceeds from sale of the coins goes to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation to help the children of Special Ops personnel killed in the line of duty.

According to the DoD, the coins are being used by unit commanders to improve morale, foster unit esprit and honor service members for their hard work. The coin also is popular with collectors and others who want a symbol of the fight we are in, according to Barker. The Combating Terrorism coin, available with logos of the DoD and branches of the military, sells for $12.95. More information is available from Striking Impressions, P.O. Box 509, Winchester, Ind. 47394, or on the company's Website, www.strikingimpressions.com.