Special Walnut

[Jim in Oakville]

Special Walnut

Hi,

I thought I’d post these pens I turned today. There are 17 here but I have a total of 30 that I will be sending out this week to Canadian soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

The total of 30 pens in this shipment also include pens donationed from a lady in Toronto, a man in Saskatchewan and two other men in Ontario. Each pen has a thank you letter written and wrapped around itself.

The walnut I am using right now is special. This wood has special significance in that it was salvaged by a man at the end of WW II from a rifle factory in Toronto where he worked, the wood was meant to become gunstock.

The wood was passed on to me by a neighbour who knew the original person who worked in that factory. The walnut had been stored in his home since the end of WW II until his recent passing. My neighbour knew of the wood and told them of my pen project and it was donated for the cause.

The finish is a simple Mylands friction polish and wax.

 

[cd18524]

Great looking pens for an even better cause..........

Chris

 

[jaywood1207]

Great job Jim. I'm sure they will appreciate your efforts.

 

[reef12]

Great job and 17 pens in a day is even greater and cigar at that.

You should get a medal and a big thumbs up good deal their Jim.[]

 

[RussFairfield]

Good job on the pens, and a good thing you are doing.

 

[cueman]

VERY NICE GESTURE! I am sure those soldiers will be proud to use their new pens to write home. Great looking pens also!

 

[bnoles]

Jim,

Those are great looking pens and the wood is fantastic with a wonderful history.

You are doing a good thing and I'm sure it will be much appreciated.

 

[TBone]

Good work Jim. Great cause

 

[fiferb]

Outstanding!!!! Both pens and what they're made from and for the cause. Again, outstanding!!!!

 

[JimGo]

WOW, that's an amazing story, and those are some great pens! Bet it felt good to be part of that project.

 

[laurie sullivan]

you get a big hug from me.

laurie

 

[bob393]

Nice

 

[Boomalia]

Let Freedom Ring.

 

[rtgleck]

Nice job on those pens, and keep up the good work. Very great cause your making pens for there.

 

[NavyDiver]

Great job on the pens and thanks for your efforts. I know several guys that have recieved pens thru the Freedom Pens campaign and all appreciate the support.

 

[Jim in Oakville]

Thanks Everyone,

It's been a very rewarding project to date. It's been running two years, not as much volume as Keith Outten and the Freedom Pens Project has generated but Pens For Canadian Peacekeepers none the less still successful on a smaller scale. Even though the current activities are not peacekeeping for us, the effort to say thanks is important.

I plan on running it for a long time, so this is ongoing, it's always a great feeling to thank them and know they appreciate it.

 

[Jim15]

Great pens and a great cause. Thanks to the soldiers and you.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Great work and fine pens. You are to be commended for doing this. Be sure to include information about the wood with the pens when you send them. You might want to save some of the wood and/or a couple pens for some kind of permanent memorial display.

 

[Jim in Oakville]

Originally posted by Rifleman1776
<br />Great work and fine pens. You are to be commended for doing this. Be sure to include information about the wood with the pens when you send them. You might want to save some of the wood and/or a couple pens for some kind of permanent memorial display.

Thanks Frank,

I am glad you mentioned the wood, I indeed do tell the story of the wood with each letter. The responceto the wood story is one of reverance by many of the soldiers

I may keep some of the wood for a special veteran I might meet down the road...Canadians will know the name of General Romeo Delaire, he has one, that was one of my happiest moments knowing that.

I also have been contacted by a soldier currently in support services in Edmonton. He has access to scrap materials that I can turn into pens as well that will have some meaning.

This walnut is special, the hands that touched it so long ago reach out today to hold the hands of some very brave young women and men...may they all grow old.