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Love of coins

Officer has over 3,000 coins

Lt. Cmdr. Ayala has collected more than 3,000 coins and enjoys presenting as much as he does collecting them. Photo credit: Norfolknavyflagship.com

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Some coins are worth more than money.

The value is measured, not in monetary worth, but with professional significance, personal sentiment and, at times, historical relevance.

Lt. Cmdr. Carmelo Ayala, department head, Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) Internal Medicine, started his Navy career as an undesignated seaman assigned to the Cimarron-class fleet oiler USS Cimarron (AO 177), from 1987 to 1990. He said that the coin of the 25th Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Jeremy Michael Boorda, is one he will always display proudly.

Ayala said the coin has significant value because Boorda was the first sailor to rise up from the ranks - from enlisted to officer - to become the top Navy officer. Like the admiral, Ayala also started out as an enlisted sailor and has found his niche in the Navy Nurse Corps.

"I just love getting and also giving coins. I have received a few over the years from mentors, hospital corpsmen, IDCs (Independent Duty Corpsmen), Navy Nurse Corps officers and others," said Ayala, a Camden, New Jersey, native, with over 28 years of naval service under his belt. "I am a firm believer that a coin is just a great way to say thank you to someone for going that extra mile to help out."

He noted that his personal collection has grown to include more than 3,000 coins.

"I haven't actually counted them in a while," he said. "I get coins all the time from friends, co-workers and beneficiaries from everywhere. Just this week there's thirteen new ones."

That baker's dozen of new coins included a very special addition, which came about by happenstance. Ayala struck up a conversation with a beneficiary on the elevator ride to work. They exchanged small talk about their military service.

"The gentleman shared that he had been in some wrong places at the wrong time because at some of those places, people didn't return," Ayala related.

The gentleman Ayala conversed with said he appreciated the care and concern the lieutenant commander expressed. At that point, a very distinctive coin was presented to Ayala as a thank you.

The coin came from Lt. Col. Bruce P. Crandall, who received the Medal of Honor in 2007 for his heroic actions in the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965 with A Company, 1, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).

"Just goes to show you that if you treat others the way you want to be treated, that they will appreciate it," Ayala stated. "What an honor! How often does one get a coin from a Medal of Honor recipient? The least I could do is return the favor and give him one of mine."

The origin of the military (or challenge) coin goes back to the days of the early Roman Empire. Militaries throughout history have presented such a token with the unit's logo or insignia on it to someone deemed worthy by a special achievement on their part. The practice also includes exchanging coins during exercises, collaborations and assignments.

Yufeng Miller, of NHB's Internal Medicine department, had witnessed active-duty personnel accept a coin but never thought that she would receive one, until Ayala presented his coin to her last month.

"I never thought that I'd get one. It's great. It makes me feel more appreciated in our department," she said. "I now have a few more and I even have a little display that was made for me on my work desk."

Ayala attests that the best thing about any coin, for both the recipient and the presenter, is that the simple gesture is a morale builder and is all about service. He said his philosophy centers on treating someone the way you want to be treated, and that they will return the favor.

"If you tell someone you got their back, they will remember that," he added. "Whether it's helping with paperwork, getting an appointment, conducting a diagnosis, whatever the case may be, people can tell when someone cares. As a part of Navy Medicine, and as a Navy Nurse Corps officer, I'm in the caring business. It's what I do. It's what we do."

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