That's the theme of this interesting article from the Kansas City Star.  Note the theme of necessity, linking the charm to a deeper natural order:

“I’m not a particularly religious person, but my mother was,” [the professor] said. “I just had to have that medal today after the week I’ve had.”

. . . 

On the recent 15th anniversary of her daughter’s death, when [another interviewee] attended an annual foundation scholarship fund luncheon in Stacy’s honor, she said, “I had to wear all three things.”