Photo By Staff Sgt. Joshua Jasper | An Airman with the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing writes a thank you note with a...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Mike Andriacco, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – An all-volunteer organization in the United States is going the extra mile to make sure Airmen are thanked for their service.
The Freedom Pens Project creates and ships out custom pens for distribution to Service members across the globe.
Most of the pens are made using a process called woodturning, where a piece of wood or other workable material is spun on a lathe and various shaping tools are applied until the desired shape is achieved. Afterward, the pens are assembled from a kit, creating a unique writing instrument. Finally, the pen is then sent to a local collection point and packaged for shipment to military members.
"As of Oct. 13, 2007, we have received and shipped 74,013 pens to the Middle East and to several military hospitals here at home caring for our war wounded," said Keith Outten, the Freedom Pens Project administrator.
Outten said the Freedom Pens Project began with a message he posted on a woodworking message board – called the SawMill Creek Woodworkers Forum – Jan. 16, 2004 and became an official non-profit organization Jan. 5, 2005.
The Freedom Pens are meant to serve as a reminder that the American military is appreciated and that there are people back home thinking about them, he added.
"We are simply American citizens who want to remind our Service members that they are not alone and we appreciate their service and sacrifice," Outten said.
According to Airmen here that have received some of the pens, they are serving that purpose well.
"I really think it is special that someone will use their own money and time to do something for someone they don't even know," said Tech. Sgt. Anthony Foremski, non-commissioned officer in charge of the finance office.
The Freedom Pens Project relies on the generosity of pen turners and non-pen turners alike to keep the project going.
According to the Freedom Pens website, many pens are turned at get-togethers called "Turn-A-Thons," where several woodturners gather at a location and turn pens for several hours.
The fact that so many people are working selflessly for the benefit of Service members is not lost on Airmen here.
"Our thanks go out to the men and women back in the United States who have given their time, money and talents to ensure we know they are thankful for our service," said Brig. Gen. Bill Hyatt, 455 Air Expeditionary Wing Commander.
Further information on the Freedom Pens Project is available on their website at http://www.freedompens.org .
| Date Taken: | 10.20.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 10.22.2007 12:18 |
| Story ID: | 13182 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 79 |
| Downloads: | 60 |
This work, Something to write home about, by MSgt Michael Andriacco, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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