Well it's not a feature film, but it's nice to see a little love going to the grunts. It took six years, but the National Infantry Foundation finally sealed the deal for the creation of a silver dollar for the infantry.
"The Mint produces only two such commemorative coins each year, so we had to wait our turn; 2012 is our year," said retired Col. Greg Camp, the National Infantry Foundation's vice president and chief development officer.
The 2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar was approved for purchase Feb. 16 and presented to 174 new infantrymen at a Feb. 17 graduation ceremony at Fort Benning, Ga.
Congress authorized the U.S. Mint to strike up to 350,000 of the commemorative coins, but they can only be purchased this year. The coins will be offered in proof and uncirculated quantities and will cost between $44.95 and $54.95.
It's a little pricey, but $10 from every coin sold will help support the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.
Individuals can purchase the coin online at www.usmint.gov/catalog by clicking on the "Commemoratives" tab. Or, pick one up at the Soldier Store inside Benning's National Infantry Museum.
