From the Stone House to the Salute: Crafting a Squadron Challenge Coin
- Renae
- Nov 6
- 3 min read
OH, THIS ONE GOT US GOOD.
It started with a single phrase—“Devotion to Mutual Helpfulness”—and suddenly we were six rabbit holes deep, staring at American flags with tears in our eyes and a sketchbook covered in scribbles, coffee stains, and a single question circled in red: How do you design for a legacy like this?
Because the Sons of The American Legion? They’re more than a support group. They’re a living, breathing continuation of the stories that shaped this country. Founded in 1932, born from pride and sacrifice and the kind of reverence that spans generations, the SAL exists so the children and grandchildren of veterans can pick up the torch—not just carry it, but light the way forward.
They stand in the space between remembrance and responsibility. Between flag ceremonies and pancake breakfasts. Between military funerals and youth baseball sponsorships. And they SHOW UP. For veterans. For families. For communities that might never know the full extent of what’s been given on their behalf.
And that phrase—Devotion to Mutual Helpfulness—it’s not a motto. It’s a worldview. It means no one stands alone. It means you check in, you show up, you do the work quietly and without applause because it matters. It’s military tradition woven into everyday action, passed from father to son, mother to daughter, mentor to volunteer. It’s dignity in denim and honor in a folding chair at the town hall.
Every chapter, every banner, every flag in the wind at a summer parade—it all carries the echo of those who served and the heartbeat of those who still serve in their name. And the mission? It lives in school visits and scholarship drives, in youth leadership programs and community cleanups. It’s service in all caps—but it’s also subtle, faithful, personal.
So here we are, overwhelmed (in a good way), chasing symbols that can hold the weight of all that devotion. Something that honors both the heritage and the hustle—the quiet dignity of SAL members who show up, salute, and serve.
We’re sketching with our hearts first. Because this story deserves that.
Designing the Squadron Challenge Coin for Sons of the American Legion
Oh, the minute we got the call to design a challenge coin for Sons of the American Legion Squadron 10, we knew this one needed HEART. Not just historical flair. Not just military polish. But that bone-deep reverence—the kind that makes your throat catch when you hear taps or see a flag folding in slow motion. So yeah… we took this one personally. A Squadron challenge coin like this doesn’t come around every day—especially not one we’d get to design in two distinct styles. And then we doubled it. Because they trusted us to tell their story two different ways? Let’s just say we cleared our schedule and pulled out the fancy Pantone deck.
Let’s talk about the front. We centered it all around the historic Stone House—YES, the one that’s stood watch in Manassas for centuries of American memory. One version of the coin went full honor guard vibes: high-relief gold, that building rising proud and strong over an American flag waving behind it. Classic. Reverent. Practically humming with patriotism. The other version? We zoomed in with color—like you’re standing in the grass yourself. The rich red brick, the blue sky, the sense of PLACE. It’s like a photo your heart would take if it could. Same structure, two emotional palettes. One feels like a salute. The other, a memory.
Now flip it over—and brace yourself. Because THIS SIDE. The black background hits first, bold and somber, with all six U.S. military emblems ringing the POW-MIA symbol right at center. We kept that silhouette crisp against polished gold—because this moment needed to glow. “You Are Not Forgotten” isn’t just engraved here—it echoes. It’s a promise. It’s a pulse. And with every coin we turned in our hands during review, that promise got heavier in the best way.
These squadron challenge coins don’t whisper—they speak. They honor the mission. They carry legacy. And whether you’re drawn to the rich tradition of raised metal or the vivid warmth of full color, we hope holding one of these feels like standing shoulder-to-shoulder with every name, every story, every flag carried before you. That’s what Squadron 10 deserved—and we were honored to design it. Twice.
Contact us today to start creating your own piece of history.
Comments