Winter Wood Wonders Festival

The Freedom Pens Project is an all volunteer effort spearheaded by the members of SawMill Creek Woodworkers Forums to provide custom hand crafted pens to American servicemen and women overseas. We welcome anyone who is interested in our project and willing to donate their time, talent or services to assist us in our goal of providing beautiful writing instruments for our military stationed in foreign countries who are in harms way. Every Freedom Pen that is delivered will serve as a constant reminder to our troops that they are not alone and will have our continued support until every one of them returns home.

The Highway of Heros

 This magnificent tribute to Canada's Military was carved by Jan Oegema, of Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada in 2010.

When a Member of the Military is fatally injured in a War zone, their remains are returned to CFB Trenton Ontario, where they are met with full Military honours, family, and dignitaries. 

After each flag-draped casket is carried off the plane and into a waiting hearse, the  convoy  travels west along Hwy. 401 towards Toronto. While traveling down this highway, the Public gather on the bridges of which there are 52,  along the 172-kilometre stretch of Highway between Trenton and Toronto, to show their respect for the fallen Hero. That section of the 401 has now been named the “Highway of Heros”

While Jan was standing on the bridge on one of these occasions  watching the  the motorcade past. he asked himself "what could I do to show my appreciation to those that have paid the Ultimate price?” That is when the inspiration to carve this Plaque was born.

Jan's patriotism and feeling toward Canada comes from his early life's experience. He is a native of Holland and lived through, (8 to 13 years old), the Occupation and Liberation of the Netherlands. Then at age 19 immigrated to Canada, where he has enjoyed a much better life than he could have ever imagined as a young man.

Jan's carving has captured the important elements of this sad event, which unfortunately has been repeated too many times. As you study the work you will see the the Caskets being off loaded from the plane, the Hearse, Pall Bearers, the drive on the highway, people on the bridges etc. There are also plenty of Poppies and Maples leaves. He has even included some soldiers that have lost limbs, to remind us that their are many that are injured. 

Dimension 4' x 3' x 3” thick,  Bass Wood, laminated from 8” strips. It was completed in March '10, and took an estimated 350 hour to complete.

To see this Tribute to Canadian Fallen Soldiers click this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtvdrYj7znw

Jan Oegema has generously helped not only Canadian Veterans but has also donated a buttenut chip carved cross for the silent auction to support our veterans.  With great appreciation we say thank you to Jan for his contribution.

To see more of Jan's work visit   http://www.janscarvingstudio.com/

Good neighbors are a precious resource. To see more about our relationship with Canada  http://www.wimp.com/explainscanada/

Rev. Calvin Chears, a resident at Hines VA Hospital wanted to give his sister an angel for Christmas. But wheelchair bound and unable to shop, the opportunities seemed bleak. A chance visit over Thanksgiving however, changed all that.

Each year, the Roselle American Legion, in conjunction with the Elmhurst Elks Lodge, hosts veterans and provides a Thanksgiving feast to honor their service to our country. It was there that Rev. Calvin met Sandy and Orlan Jennings, Elk members who are also wood carvers. Getting to know each other, Rev. Calvin confided that he was looking for an angel for his sister as a Christmas gift.

As it happened, Sandy and Orlan, along with Sharon Bechtold and Shelly Weiser, are creating a new wood art show, Winter Wood Wonders, (www.WinterWoodWonders.com) which will showcase carvers and other wood artists; the proceeds going to veterans. The generosity of wood artists will be on display at the show and many artists (including some who will not be at the show) have donated works of art for a silent auction to benefit the veterans groups. The show is to be held February 26 and 27 at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles.

Having just met Rev. Calvin, they asked what he would suggest for support. His choice was the Hines VA Hospital Windy City Athletes. In addition, Sharon’s son is an active service man and does a lot of work with the Wounded Warriors Project. Both groups will benefit from the show.

With her contacts in the carving community, Sandy asked JR Cadawas, a world renowned Philippino carver, specializing in carving The Last Supper and Jesus Christ, if he would be willing to carve an angel for Rev. Calvin. The result was the magnificent angel pictured here, with a wing span of 11 and 15 inches tall. The angel, carved from basswood, was given to Rev Calvin on Christmas Eve. It was given to his sister on Christmas Day.