Challenge coins signify achievement or outstanding service. A new coin has been created for the brave Marines helping to arrest citizens and engage in illegal posses.
To honor and recognise those brave US Marine Corp soldiers who have been deployed to the remote parts of downtown Los Angeles to help silence citizens protesting mostly peacefully. They have been putting their skills to work standing around outside Federal buildings preventing citizens accessing the buildings.
As part of their brave service they have been involved in work such as apprehending a service veteran trying to access the VA office on legitimate business. Marcos Leao, a 27-year-old of Angolan and Portuguese descent had obtained US citizenship through military service.
However not all the Marines seem to be happy with service in LA. Janessa Goldbeck, a Marine Corps veteran who runs the Vet Voice Foundation, has reported that, “Among all that I spoke with, the feeling was that the marines are being used as political pawns, and it strains the perception that marines are apolitical,” Goldbeck said. “Some were concerned that the Marines were being set up for failure. The overall perception was that the situation was nowhere at the level where marines were necessary.”
The National Guard have been sent in to the area with no amenities or supplies. with guard members having to sleep on a concrete loading dock floor without bedding. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the troops arrived with no lodging, insufficient portable toilets and no funds for food or water.
All the Marines will receive a challenge coin recognising their involvement in Operation Domestic Silence. Another one is expected to commemorate their involvement in illegal posses.
Thanks to David August for the alert