contest determines group coin design Published Feb. 3, 2010 81st Training Group KEESLER AFB, Ms. -- A new 81st Training Group challenge coin is unveiled April 30 at the group's formal dining out at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum and Convention Center. The winner of the coin design contest, which runs through Feb. 26, is recognized during the coin's unveiling at the dining out. Varying stories detail the history of the military coin. One dating back to World War I recounts the story of a lieutenant who issued bronze medallions to his unit. One of his comrades placed the coin in a pouch around his neck prior to a flying mission. Forced to land his damaged plane behind enemy lines, he was captured by the Germans who took all of his belongings except the pouch around his neck. He was taken to a small French town where he escaped, eventually ending up at a French outpost. With no other identification, his would-be killers delayed his death when one of them recognized the coin around his neck. Back at his unit, it became tradition to ensure that all personnel had their coins on them at all times, the advent of today's "coin check". If a person was asked to produce a coin and couldn't deliver, they were required to buy the asking party a drink of their choice. This contest is an opportunity to make history and continue the "coin checking" legacy. The design contest is open to the Keesler community. Designs may be one or two sides with no limit on the number of submissions. E-mail submission to lakeitha.luster @us.af.mil as a PowerPoint slide. For more information, e-mail or call Sergeant Luster, 377-0211.