Large plaque to honor Medal of Honor recipients (pics)

[Dave Shively]

I made this large plaque with one thing in mind, to honor all Medal of Honor
recipients past, present and future for what they did for our country. These men
(and one woman) are true hero’s.

The plaque measures 48" x 30" and weighs 56 pounds. The “ribbon” is made from
two pieces of 1 3/8" walnut and then the thirteen stars were lasered on followed by
some gold filling. There are three different medals, one for the Air Force, one for the Army and one that is shared by the Navy/Marines/Coast Guard. To make the
different medals I wanted something at least ½" thick but not from one piece. So I
resawed walnut into about 3/32" thick and then glued four pieces together alternating the grain 90 degrees. I then lasered cut and design on the appropriate
medal. I cut brass rod to match the rings on the original medal and also cut a brass
anchor for the Navy/Marines. Then I glued up some red oak and hand carved
(sculpted) to give it a rough texture. Next came a sheet of 3/4" birch ply with a
purpleheart boarder which I screwed the oak piece. Finish is a PRE-CAT lacquer.

I was fortunate to be one of about 1100 to attend the grand opening of the new Medal of Honor Museum in Charleston, South Carolina a few weeks ago to hand deliver this plaque. I donated it to the Museum to honor these recipients. There are
only 110 recipients still today and I got to meet and see 42 of them so my little
donating was well worth it. If anyone lives near Charleston or is visiting soon,
please go out to Patriots Point and the USS Yorktown (where the museum is) and
tell me where it is hanging and what you think of it.

Sorry about the shadows in the main plaque picture. It hides some of the laser work.

The last picture is my daughter and me on the fight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown before the ceremony began.

Dave

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL484/8647643/16030738/259695890.jpg
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[John Renzetti]

hi Dave, I'm extremely impressed by your work and also of you. I will definetly stop by and look at this in person the next layover in CHS.
Best regards
John

[Todd Solomon]

Dave,

I think that's fantastic that you honored these decorated soldiers with this work- and what a beautiful plaque. "Musuem quality," as they say. I always wanted to figure out a way to say thanks to those who serve (especially medal recipients), and can't imagine a better way than with your plaque. You're a true patriot, and a talented woodworker.

Todd

[Gary Herrmann]

Excellent and worthy work. Well done.

[David Tiell]

Thank you for your beautiful tribute to those who have shown "gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty" and, in most cases, made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we love and so often take for granted.

[Dan Oliphant]

Dave, you did a real nice thing there, I am real proud of you.

[Dave MacArthur]

Dave, outstanding tribute by you, and some fantastic work.

[John Lucas]

Dave, outstanding work and great cause. I am envious of you having the Yorktown so close. In the early 60's, I was on a destroyer (DD754) that screened and plane guarded for her. Always fun to join her. Most of thetime we were with the Hornet, another famous old carrier.

[Dave Ray]

Dave, you put your heart and soul into this and it shows. What a beautiful way to honor these people. I can only say THANK YOU, just as we can only say THANK YOU to them.... but you have exceeded THANK YOU.

[Keith Beck]

Dave,

As an active duty member, I think I speak for all of my brothers and sisters in uniform when I say that it's the support of patriotic Americans such as yourself that make it all worthwhile. Awesome work!

Keith

[Bill Wyko]

VERY NICE. Nothing but the best for our armed forces. That's very fine work and great representation of deserved honor. God bless every one of you.

[Todd Jensen]

xxx


Beautiful work, sir, and for a great cause. I can count all my 'thank you's' on both hands and that is one heck of a thank you to donate. Very very very very cool and much appreciated.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z66/grizzified/lavcampingcompressed.jpg


Semper Fi!

Todd

[Don Eddard]

Very nice Dave. Kudos to you and to the people the plaque honors.

[Alex Berkovsky]

Dave,
So you're nimrod. I already commented on your amazing work on the other forum. I'll say again... great piece for a wonderful cause.

Tod,
Is that an LAV in the picture? Semper Fi, brother.

[Todd Jensen]

Yes sir, LAV 25 camping out by the Kuwait airport in 1991. :)

[Dave Shively]

Thank you to all on Sawmill Creek. I was asked on the other forum for more
pictures from the grand opening of the MOH Museum so here is what I wrote
and the pictures.


Thank you all. Yes these men are true American hero’s I have great respect for all
our men and women who serve and have served our country. When I was at the grand
opening of the MOH museum I was in awe just being in the presents of these MOH
recipients. To be able to meet them, shake their hands and hear their stories. Never
again will I get the opportunity to be with this many hero’s at one time. I also made this cane with a 3/32" thick brass plate with the letters MOH etched on it. I offered the Medal of Honor Society to make these bent laminate canes to any recipient that want one. I did this because I saw a photo of dozens of them and many had canes from old
age or wounds from war. This cane was my “sample” and was given to MOH Ronald
Rosser US Army. The other picture with me is with Navy Seal Tom Norris. If any of you have seen the movie BAT 21 with Gene Hackman and Danny Glover, Norris was the Seal that rescued the Colonel that Hackman played. This picture was taken by
CHARLESTON MAGAZINE and I’m told will be in their July issue.
The picture with the MOH recipient sitting with the girl standing
next to him is Navy John Finn, the oldest and first WWII veteran ever to receive the Medal of Honor. The last picture is of USMC Hershel “Woody” Williams and his wife Ruby and one of three surviving Marines that faught on Iwo Jima and have the MOH.

Dave

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[Alex Berkovsky]

...The last picture is of USMC Hershel “Woody” Williams and his wife Ruby and one of three surviving Marines that faught on Iwo Jima and have the MOH.Man, I would give my firstborn to shake his hand. I wonder if he has some of the sand from Iwo Jima.

[Jeff Kerr]

I am speechless.

The sight of these heros brings me to tears. To think of what they and their commrades have done for our country and those that our country has defended in history is just overwelming.

Dave what a great tribute to honor these great soldiers.

For those of you that are or have served, I Salute you.

[Mike Cutler]

Well done Dave. Very well done.

[Jim Becker]

That's really wonderful, Dave, both the project and the whole wrapper!