The Inspiration for "Soldier In Your Pocket"

The first thought of this coin came to me on a sunny day this past August. I was on my way home after visiting with my oldest son, James, who was at Fort Hood, Texas. He is with the National Guard 2-156 Medical. They were training prior to deployment to Iraq.  When he let me know they were having a “Family Weekend”, I was more than pleased to go see him.

            We had a wonderful visit! He was especially happy that I had brought him some boudin from Louisiana. James and our family believe the best boudin and cracklins come from a place in Scott, Louisiana called The Best Stop. I bought a styrofoam ice chest to keep the frozen boudin cold until he could heat it and share it with the guys and girls at the base. This was one of the many purchases I made in my travels as well as with James that weekend. Due to these purchases I ended up with a pocket filled with change.

            We said our farewells and I began my drive back to Lafayette, Louisiana. As I drove, my thoughts were on James and the men and women preparing for such an arduous endeavor. I took a driving break. As I walked, I put my hands in my pockets and all of the change jingled. I smiled with the happy thoughts of James and the shopping, meals and errands we had done together. It warmed my heart. With each driving break, I was reminded of our special time together by the coins in my pocket.

            While continuing my drive home, reliving the time spent in Texas in my mind, I remembered a conversation I had heard between a young girl and her mother at a store near the base. They were in town to visit a soldier also (the husband and father to this family). They were shopping for tennis shoes for the little girl. The young girl had selected a pair of shoes that her mother had to explain was not in their budget, “Since daddy is going to Iraq”. She suggested another pair and much to my pleasure the young girl was very agreeable, even though she would have preferred the other pair. When I thought about his, I was touched with the realization of the impact on Every relationship of our soldiers - mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, daughters, sons, grandmothers, grandfathers, nieces, neighbors, coworkers and friends --- Who All experience some changes in their lives by ONE soldier’s service.

            I wanted to help the families as well as honor the soldiers, no matter what branch they served, who have been affected by serving our country on this mission. Millions of thoughts flooded my mind as I drove some seven hours alone. God had allowed me to spend some private time with my son. I felt so blessed to have that time to just hang around together. Our conversation was not about anything like life and death; it was just about being together. We spent time talking and remembering all the great memories while creating another great memory at the same time!  I wanted a way to help all of these people feel the same sense of blessing and peace.  I wanted a way to provide a feeling of comfort for them as they supported their soldier.

            I stopped once again for a break in Liberty, Texas to stretch and get something to drink.  I put the change in my pocket and my thoughts went back to James. I held him in a place of much love and respect for his calling into service. My eyes grew teary with the emotion. I just kept thinking of him and seeing him well, happy and protected.  It amazed me how comforted I was, simply by the coins in my pocket!!!

            That’s when it happened. All of a sudden the words, “SOLDIER IN YOUR POCKET” were strong in my mind! A picture of a coin struck for servicemen and servicewomen was very vivid. I immediately knew that this could be the way to help. My soul leapt and I began to think of how this could work. I knew I had never done anything like this before and didn’t know how to proceed.  So, I decided that I needed to leave it up to God.  I stayed in prayer that Spirit would have to lead the way. I asked for guidance and direction. I also asked for signs that this was what I needed to do. Resolved that the answer would come, I drove home in anticipation of the answer and the sign.

            On Monday I was back at work. I got a phone call from a good friend and we made arrangements for her to come over for a visit that afternoon. During the visit we were in casual conversation when suddenly she reached into her pocket and put a special coin on my desk! It was a coin with an angel on it. She said, “When I saw this, I thought of you”! I felt my whole body respond! She knew something was up. So, as we spoke, I decided to share with her about the inspiration I was given. I told her I was picturing a coin like a collector’s coin that I had that was a silver troy ounce. I reached into the drawer to hand it to her and to my surprise I realized it had a picture of Lady Liberty on it. It also had the word “Liberty” on the coin. I gasped when I remembered that the actual thought of the “Soldier in your pocket coin” came to me while I was stopped in Liberty, Texas! Talk about getting some signs!!!  We both became on fire with excitement the more I told her about what we could do to help others with the new coin!!! She knew of an artist to help with the design. From there we began to make contacts and plans that lead to all that you’re seeing now!

            I am very thankful to all the people God has sent into my life to assist with this gift! I am especially grateful for the young men God gave to me…James Staton, my oldest son (presently serving in Baghdad), Wayne Sinclair, my foster son (presently stationed in Arizona), Bryan Staton II, my second son and, a very special young man, George Silvertooth Jr., for teaching me how men grow from being boys to young men, to gentlemen, to warriors because of the beliefs and values that they hold with their whole heart. I thank them for this and pray that I can honor their journey. They are the core inspiration for this project.

            The men and women, who serve, make this nation great because They themselves are truly great! History will speak of these warriors of the United States as they have spoken of the great warriors of Rome. I vision the day when we all understand that we are all ONE, and that the acceptance of our uniqueness is what will make this a place to more fully live our lives with the respect and honor of genuinely helping one another.

            I am honored and humbled at this time to share my inspiration.It is my wish that as this coin is held in your pocket, that you remember a soldier who is serving or who has served our great country.  That it reminds you to pray and hold warm thoughts for them.  That it reminds you of the good memories you’ve shared with them and that no matter how far apart you may become, you are always connected to each other, just simply slip your hand into your pocket and remember.

Click on the images below for links to military homepages.

Phyllis Picard-Staton