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Happy Holidays All,
On Christmas of '05, my best friends father died, after a long illness. He was a Korean War Veteran, who won the Silver Star and Purple Heart in late 1950 ( the worst of the fighting). My father passed away 6 months to the day later, unexpectedly. It devasted me.

Well, after a year his mother bought a cheap $50 dollar shadow box for her husbands flag and asked if I would do the mounting. When I got the box and the flag, I couldn't see mounting it…the box was flimsy and already chipped. I told my friend I would make his father what I thought would be a suitable box. One of my biggest things about making a box for his father was, I didn't want it to look store bought…I wanted it fitting a Soldier who fought a tough fight and was finally getting the recognition he deserved. He never talked about it, because his mother never knew he went to Korea.

Fast forward 2 years…Being a Single dad, I don't get a lot of time to myself to work in the shop…I took a drive to Rochester (the closest lumber yard to me in Syracuse) looking for some lumber to build a dresser, when I came across the "cutoff bin". I found Lacewood, purple heart, paduk, and bloodwood. Now I had the lumber I had been dreaming of for a few projects, namely my friend's, dad's box.

I choose to use the Lacewood laminated on the edge of some Maple. The dimensions are 14 3/4' x 20 3/4" x 3". I have never built what I call a decorative piece and I was scared to death I would screw it up, so I built 2 prototype boxes. Every project I have done to this point, I have used new skills and this one was no differant. THe miters were very frustrating and I spent a lot of time cleaning them up with a rasp and file…is this common? Or should I check how I am doing it?

After some forum topics on finishing, I put 6 coats of Danish Oil on it and let it set…I gave it to my on friend on Thanksgiving day to present to his Mom on Christmas day…we both thought it would be fitting. He likes it and we can't wait until Christmas to see what his Mom says…

I didn't refold the flag, I just tried to tighten it up alittle.

Thanks for looking and I have thick skin…please,any comments would be appreciated.

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Looks like you have delivered on your goal of a special piece. The lacewood and maple create an attractive result! A little cleanup is not unusual, but it often is a clue that something is not quite lined up right - a slight bow in the wood or an angle setting that is slightly off. It can take some detective work to figure out what is off. In the meantime nothing wrong with a little tweak here and there!
 

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What I great present to one of our countries heroes. Many Men and Women go above and beyond for the rest of us to live free. Great work and thx for sharing.
 

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1,575 Posts
Excellent Job on a very Special Piece, Randy!! And Thanks all-around for all of your service to our Country!!
I.m guessing your Friends' Mom is going to Love it!!!
 

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Amazing work, a fitting honor for a fellow veteran.

Semper Fidelis!
 
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