[Woodcarver] Report: Camp Pendleton Wounded Warrior carving class.

[Joe Dillett]

Fellow Carvers,

 

Sharon and I are back from teaching the woodcarving class to the disabled veterans at Camp Pendleton. We are physically and emotionally exhausted. 

 

As you know the first class, scheduled for the first week of April, was canceled due to a suicide. This last class was not canceled. Since the first class was canceled they continue to have more suicides and attempts including one of each while we were there. We ended up with 3 disables veterans in the class and 4 support staff. However the lack of numbers was not a problem. These Marines were top quality in every way. They are very talented as well as hard working. I think we have some new carvers in our carving community. The class was a great success for the students as well as the staff. Sharon and I got much more out of the class and a little better understanding of our heroes.

 

This was a life-changing experience for both Sharon and I. They opened their heart and let us into their lives. A lot of sharing happened over these 3 days.  Some had a need to share their combat photos and videos. Others were not ready to do that. Sharon and I got into a part of the military they said no one from the outside has ever been. Sharon won their hearts over. They said that they never, never give Wounded Warrior items to outsiders. They made an exception giving Sharon and I a large engraved Wounded Warrior plaque with our names engraved. We also got 2 Wounded Warrior coffee mugs. They said that we are now part of their family. 

 

Your generous donations made it possible. I told them about all of your donations. Each of them has a great set of tools, several knives, books, videos and lots of wood. They will continue to carve, I'm sure. Sharon and I are planning on going back. Now that the staff knows us better they made us promise that we'll spend more time on our next visit.

 

Thank you all for making this possible.


Joe Dillett
The Carving Shop
645 E. LaSalle St. Suite 3
Somonauk, IL. 60552

(815) 498-9290 phone
(815) 498-9249 fax
http://www.thecarvingshop.net [business web site]
http://www.carvingmagazine.com ['Ask Joe' column]
http://community.webshots.com/user/joe_dillett
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