New to the Forum

[Marine4910]

Hey guys. Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. I’m new to the forum. I’ve been in the industry for about 10 years with a 8 year break in it where I served in the Marine Corps. I was shot during a mission in Iraq in the abdomen and thought my career of any kind was over. After being medically retired in 2011, also with some pretty severe PTSD, I laid around the house for a year and felt sorry for myself until one day I decided the heck with this and that was the best thing I could have ever done. I got a job at a medium size shop not far from where I live and my life changed. It gave me back my sense of purpose and got myself out of my head. It turns out that I was able to work around my injury and still fabricate and install just about as good as I ever could. I’ve always had a passion for stone work from the time I started I loved it. Now the thing I love to do probably saved my life. I have been down some long dark roads, but since going back to work no more dark roads. I just wanted to share that with y’all and let y’all know a little about me. I look forward to getting to know some of y’all and picking y’alls brains a little about stone work. Thanks and Semper Fi.

[wkluender]

Welcome to the SFA. This trade can be very rewarding for those who take pride in their work (which you probably know since you're here). Thank you for sharing and thank you for your service.

[ronald hannah]

Thank you for your service to our country and welcome to the SFA. You will enjoy this place despite the ball-busting that typically ensues. Please fill out your signature line so we can put a name to you.

[Dave.Scott]

Welcome. I am so glad that you shared your story, took guts, but heck you are a Marine.
Working with your hands and creating lasting beauty heals the heart.
How cool is that!

I have never been in the military, I know you all are a band of brothers. I think you will find camaraderie and willingness to help any way we can here. Anything we can do for you, Ask - Done.

Thank you for your service, and your hard fought ongoing recovery.

[T.J. Henderson]

Thanks for sharing the story! We can all use this as motivation to get off our butt’s and work a little harder.

Anxious to hear you perspective on this industry! A guy with your training and military knowledge will have a lot of great insight!

[Darryl Miller]

Welcome and thank you for sharing. Thank you for serving to keep us free. There are several other veterans that are members here as well. Try to make it to the workshops we have several times a year. Myself and plenty other would be delighted to meet you and build lasting friendships. Those friendships are the best part of the SFA. Hope to meet you soon!

[Trefethen03842]

Welcome to this group of Fantastic People. The support you will receive here is unbelievable.

Thank you (such small words sometimes, but have profound impact behind them) for your service. While I did not have the privilege of being in our military. Most of my family members are Former Marines. Being raised by one, I think I could pass inspection.

Looking forward to seeing all your accomplish.

[Omni Cubed Larry]

Welcome and glad to have you here!

And thank you very much for serving.

[Joe Durfee]

Hi Grant,

Welcome to the SFA. One of our members called me today and wanted to anonymously pay for your full membership. You now have access to the members areas of the site.

To that member, thank you for your generosity!

[Marine4910]

That is awesome. Thank you to whoever it was! I don’t know what to say.

[innstone]

That is awesome. Thank you to whoever it was! I don’t know what to say.
[

It wasn't me, but it makes me feel good to hear what one I my friends did. As Dave Scott said "I think you will find camaraderie and willingness to help any way we can here."
That is true, we try to check our gigantic (though extremely fragile) egos at the door and help each other out, working together.
I have been on the receiving end of so much good help here.

I'm sure that you've felt the welcome, and I'll say it agian; Welcome!!!

[Joshua Hopkins]

Thank you for your service and welcome to the forum.

[RandyHunn]

Grant,
Thank you for sharing your story. It puts a lot of our little problems into perspective. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. You and your comrades keep us free. So glad you found your happiness and a purpose in fabrication. I truly think that we do it because we take satisfaction in a job well done. It reminds me of a quote that I read many years ago. "I too shall something make, and joy in the making" Welcome back to the fold.