By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Local veterans are being enlisted to use woodworking saws and jigs to engage in a battle on two fronts – to reach out to fellow veterans and comfort surviving family members.
The first goal of the proposed Wood County veterans woodworking project is to bring together local veterans in hopes of reducing levels of isolation among their population. And the byproduct of that effort will be to create meaningful locally made wooden burial flag cases for survivors of veterans.
Minimal basic training in woodworking may be beneficial, but not necessary.
Zach Migura, executive director and county veterans service officer at the Wood County Veterans Service Office, met with the first dozen interested veterans on Tuesday evening at the Wood County Senior Center. The next meeting for anyone potentially interested will be Dec. 19, at 6 p.m., also at the senior center, 140 S. Grove St., Bowling Green.
“We’re trying to get some veterans’ cohesiveness going,” Migura said to the veterans gathered for the first meeting. The group included several who served during the Vietnam War era, one currently in college, and one woman.
Migura assured them that woodworking experience – while helpful – wasn’t a prerequisite.
“I know how to make a cut. I know how to make a jig,” but that’s the breadth of his experience, said Migura, who served as a carpentry and masonry specialist in the Army.
The woodworking program was born out of the Veterans Administration identifying social isolation as a major problem for some veterans. The VA left the fixing of the problem to local veterans service offices, Migura said.
So during the Wood County Fair, veterans were surveyed about activities they might be interested in. The top five vote getters were fitness, park district activities, woodworking, Habitat for Humanity, and guitar or other music lessons.
Some of those attending the first meeting had limited woodworking experience.
“I’m speaking way above what I can do, but I’ve watched YOUTube videos,” one veteran volunteered.
But at least two – John Calderonello and Mike Billmaier – are skilled woodworkers.
Migura suggested the program start simple, creating a triangular template for the flag holders.
“The most dangerous part is going to be the cutting,” Migura said.
The veterans office will buy the raw materials, and has already made arrangements for lumber with Laborie Enterprises. So Migura said he’s hoping local veterans are on board.
“Cuz I’m about to buy a lot of wood,” he said
Migura said he would lead the group for regular woodworking sessions, until someone more capable is willing to take over.
“I’ll give it a good six months,” he said. “Wherever this group is willing to go with it, I’m willing to follow. Let’s get some vets together, shoot the breeze, and make some flag holders.”
It may be that some veterans are more interested in carving or creating art from wood, Migura said. So spin-off groups may be formed.
Two veterans expressed concerns about those from different military branches working together – pointing out that those in the Marines and Navy bicker constantly.
“How do you expect the different branches of the military to get along?” one asked with a grin.
While the initial raw materials are secured, the location for the actual woodworking is still in question. The group may move around between schools or other sites that will allow the veterans to use their equipment.
“I’ve run operations all over Afghanistan, I know we can do this,” Migura said.
It is hoped that the Wood County Senior Center in Bowling Green can someday open a woodshop in the basement of the building. Some woodworking equipment is already there, but the basement needs improvements before it can be put to use as a workshop.
The goals of the woodworking project are:
- Build Wood County veteran cohesion.
- Offer a personalized memento for survivors.
- Assist the Wood County Veterans Service Office with outreach to serve survivors.
- Create a core group of veterans that could lead to other programs.
- Reduce veteran isolation and suicide.
“If it saves one life,” it’s worth all the effort, Migura said, noting that some veterans tend to isolate themselves socially. “We get together, we do good things.”
And the creation of flag cases by local veterans will carry a lot of meaning for survivors, he added.
The flag cases will be stored at the Wood County Veterans Service Office, creating an inventory for those survivors of veterans as they pass. Survivors will be able to contact the office to receive one for veterans who have already passed. The office will schedule a time for survivors to come in with the flag to be folded and inserted.
The veterans office will then begin the discussion with survivors about any VA or other benefits they may be eligible for. That is the “bread and butter” of the veterans office, going after all the benefits available to local veterans, Migura said.
“In the end, this is about serving vets,” he said.
