Since January of this year, I have been working for the United States Army. While I cannot and will not go into details about what it is that I do – I will say that on Friday – something happened that is truly one of the proudest moments of my life.

I was at a ceremony and was talking to a Colonel I worked with very often who was leaving his position to go off to bigger and better things. I told him, knowing that I either would never work with him again or, if I did, it would be years from now – that it was an honor to serve with him – because I have a tremendous amount of respect for the man and I truly mean that from the bottom of my heart. After doing so, he shook my hand and thanked me for all that I had done for him and his organization. As I placed my hand in his, I felt something in the middle of both of our hands. When I did – I immediately got an adrenaline rush – because I had an idea of what it was – but didn’t believe it until I actually saw it – and when I did, I was speechless…

…because it was a Commander’s Coin.

Commander’s coins, which are about the size of half dollar coins, are custom minted and emblazoned with the unit or program’s insignia. Commanders recognize that these coins are powerful and versatile tools which can instill unit pride and reward outstanding performance. To show appreciation for a job well done, Commanders give these tokens to individual soldiers, civilian employees, and entire units. The gift of a coin can build rapport, say thank you, and buy goodwill for the command and the commander – and getting one is not only very rare and significant – but it is a very, very big deal.

As soon as I saw the coin in my hands with my own eyes, my mouth dropped. I stood there unable to come up with even a thank you. In fact, my colleague Amy, who had just started two weeks earlier, told the Colonel that she had never seen me speechless until now. I have seen coins on many people’s desks and shelves on the Fort where I work – but never thought I would actually get one of my own. I both know and respect what these coins stand for – but to have this Colonel, whom I greatly respect, give me one is without a doubt the greatest honor I have ever experienced in my entire career.

I did on-camera interviews after he gave it to me, and if you look at the video – you can see that my hands were shaking because all I was thinking about was the coin in my pocket. When I got home Friday night, I did not put it down – and I still haven’t. I took a picture with that Colonel and plan to have him sign it at a luncheon in his honor next month. When he does, I will frame that photo and the coin – to symbolize what I feel is the greatest accomplishment I have achieved since the first day I went to work.

Every workday morning, I wake up to go to work and place an identification card around my neck that reads, “U.S. Army,” and truth be told, I still can’t believe it. But I will say with every fiber of my being that this is the absolute best job I have ever had in my life – and it is people like this Colonel that make me thank God every day that I was chosen for the job I have – and why I go to work every morning and give 150% and do the absolute best job that I can…

…and always will.

Thank you Sir – thank you so much.