By JOHN LARSON McLAUGHLEEN
BG Independent News
Local veterans use saws and carpentry tools to fight on both fronts, helping their fellow veterans and comforting surviving family members.
The first goal of the proposed Wood County Veterans Wood project is to bring local veterans together to reduce the level of isolation in their population. And a byproduct of this effort will be the creation of meaningful wooden burial caskets for surviving veterans of locally made flags.
A minimum of basic carpentry training would be helpful but not required.
Zach Migura, executive director and manager of Wood County Veterans Services, met with the first dozen interested veterans Tuesday afternoon at the Wood County Senior Center. The next stakeholder meeting will be Dec. 19 at 6 p.m., also at the Senior Center, 140 S. Grove St., Bowling Green.
"We're trying to create unity among veterans," Migura told veterans gathered at the first meeting. The group included several men who had served in the Vietnam War, one of whom is now a student, and a woman.
Migura assured them that carpentry experience is helpful but not necessary.
“I know how to cut. "I know how to make a stencil," but that's the extent of his experience, says Migura, who was a skilled carpenter and bricklayer in the military.
The Carpentry program was created because the Veterans Administration recognizes social isolation as a significant issue for some veterans. The VA left it up to local veterans offices to handle the problem, Migura said.
At the Wood County Fair, they asked veterans about activities they were interested in. The top five received lessons in fitness, park activities, woodworking, Habitat for Humanity, and guitar or other music.
Some of the participants at the first meeting had limited experience with wood.
"I'm beyond what I can do, but I watch YouTube videos," said one veteran.
But at least two, John Calderanello and Mike Billmeier, are skilled carpenters.
Migura suggested starting the program by creating a triangular pattern for the flag bearers.
"The most dangerous thing would be the cut," Migura said.
The Department of Veterans Affairs will purchase the raw materials, and Laborie Enterprises has already negotiated for the lumber. That's why, Migura said, he hopes to have local veterans on board.
"Because I'm going to buy a lot of wood," he said
Migura said he will lead the group in regular woodworking sessions until someone more competent takes over.
"I give it a good six months," he said. "Wherever the team wants to go with him, I am ready to follow him. Let's gather the veterans, raise the wind and bring out some flag bearers.
Some veterans may be more interested in woodcarving or creating art, Migura said. In this way, different groups can be created.
The two veterans expressed concern about cooperation between the different branches of the military, noting that the Marine Corps and the Navy are constantly at odds.
"How do you plan to reform the various branches of the military?" one of them asked with a smile.
Although the original raw material is safe, the actual location of the woodwork remains questionable. The team can travel between schools or other locations where veterans can use their equipment.
"I've been deployed all over Afghanistan, I know we can do it," Migura said.
The Wood County Senior Center in Bowling Green hopes to one day open a woodworking shop in the building's basement. Some carpentry equipment is already in place, but the basement needs improvement before it can be used as a workshop.
The goals of the carpentry project are:
- Building cohesion among Wood County veterans.
- Give survivors personalized memorials.
- Help the Wood County Veterans Office work with survivors.
- Build a core team of veterans who can lead other programs.
- Reducing isolation and suicide among veterans.
"If it saves one life," Migura said, it's worth it, noting that some veterans tend to isolate themselves socially. "We get together, we do well."
And having flags designed by local veterans will be critical to their survival, he added.
Flag records are maintained at the Wood County Office of Veterans Services to provide an inventory of currently living veterans. Survivors may contact the office to obtain a deceased veteran form. The office will schedule a time for the flag to be folded and hung for mourners.
The Office of Veterans Affairs will then begin discussions with survivors about the benefits they may receive or other benefits they may be eligible for. That's the "job" of the Veterans Affairs office, which administers all the benefits available to local veterans, Migura said.
"At the end of the day, it's about serving veterans," he said.
