Woodworking is Therapy for Wounded Warriors
Rob Cosman's Purple Heart Program provides more than just free workshops for veterans
I recently had the pleasure of working with Rob Cosman and assisting him with his Purple Heart woodworking program for veterans. Twice a year Rob holds two of his week-long Training The Hand courses in Niagara Falls, Canada. Each class is limited to twelve students, and six benches are reserved for wounded and disabled U.S. and Canadian veterans. The veterans are part of Rob’s Purple Heart Program that aims to support veterans’ mental health by introducing them to the peace and calming effects of traditional hand tool woodworking. They attend the courses free of charge.
Being a recently retired U.S. Army Colonel and having attended his last year’s class, Rob invited me back as a teaching assistant and to serve as the class’s “Old Army dude mentor.” I thought I was there to help introduce traditional hand tool woodworking to veterans, but instead I walked away with a much deeper appreciation of how woodworking can help those who have sacrificed so much for us, and the debt of gratitude we owe our brave men and women in uniform.
Over two weeks, I watched a mix of 12 U.S. and Canadian veterans and 12 civilian woodworkers bond together and learn the craft of traditional hand tool woodworking. The wounded warriors, mostly in their 20’s, had served in Iraq or Afghanistan and had sustained both physical and mental injuries – but don’t tell them that! Their warrior spirit was infectious as they took to learning the subtles of sharpening, planing, and sawing like it was just another combat mission. Many of them had not touched wood since their shop days in high school. During the week-long course, the veterans and students learned how to sharpen, setup and use various hand planes to six square a board, handsaw and chiseling techniques, and how to make through dovetails. At the end of the course, they made a dovetailed bench hook starting from a piece of rough cut lumber.
On close observation a visitor to the class could see the effects of combat. Former U.S. Marine, Ivan’s, right leg was paralyzed from a sniper’s bullet (try planing or sawing on one leg!!!). Dan had been blown up by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and it took him an hour of stretching just to be able to grip a saw. Almost all the veterans struggled with some form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Not once did you hear a complaint or a hint of self-pity; and when they opened up and told their stories, I could not help but get choked up.
Through individual donations, the charity of some local merchants, and a portion of the sales from his website, Rob provides each veteran with transportation, a week’s lodging, meals, professional instruction, camaraderie, and a toolbox full of quality hand tools to continue their craft and therapy back home. Probably the best tribute I heard during the week is from one of the civilians attending the class who said, “I came here for the woodworking but I leave with 6 new friends and an great appreciation for what our vets do for us.”
If you want to donate to Rob’s Purple Heart Program check out their GoFundMe page.
Comments
I can relate to this story. I'm a retired FDNY captain dealing with some issues, and wood working was suggested by my fire department councilor. She could not have been more on the money. Furniture making has been my savior, and helped me more than ANYTHING else I've done. I want to thank FW for the role they've had as well.
Thank you for being a first responder. First responders run to the sound of trouble just like Soldiers, Marines, Sailors , Airmen, and Coastguardsmen. Like you I have found handtool woodworking to be a great way to relax and be calm when I struggle with dealing with the things I have seen and been through. I think all woodworkers should support programs like Rob's that help you guys.
Although I've subscribed to Fine Woodworking since 1995, until attending Rob's class in April, 2017, I could only skip over any articles concerning bench planes because sharpening plane irons was a complete mystery. Cutting a full-width shaving of "half a thou" thickness--as a result of Rob's and others' generosity--has provided me peace and confidence not felt for many years. As a Hospital Corpsman attached to the Marines in Vietnam, I had no idea that PTSD was a major issue in my life until 2005 with a VA doctor. Rob's class reinforced the idea that we are not alone in our suffering and that we are not "broken." Please help Rob continue these funded classes for disabled Veterans in any way you can. He has helped me immensely, and many other wounded Vets will have a similar, life-changing experience when given the opportunity to join Rob's community.
A great project for great people that deserve it.
We should all support it, if not financially then by spreading the word.
Rob's program is an outstanding way for all of us to support the ongoing recovery of our fellow vets. Every little bit that each of us can contribute can and will change a veteran's life.
It is extremely unfortunate that there is a need to do this. And the need is great. I would actually love to see a partnership like Amazon Smile, where currently everything I buy leads to small percentage going to the Wounded Warrior project. Perhaps at some point Rob and crew will be able to approach Amazon about it. I think many of us want to help in small ways, and for me, and I am sure many others something like Amazon Smile is an ideal way to accrue dollars.
As a vet I have found hand tool woodworking brings me peace and joy when I needed it most. I used power tools in the past, but the noise was not peaceful. The fact that there is no loud noises enables me to concentrate on what I am doing forgetting the past. Though I have not been to Robs class I have been a member of his hand tool workshop for a couple years. His Purple Heart program has been the best program I have ever seen anyone do for our vets.
Great program for a very worth while cause. If you have been thinking about one one of Rob's cross cut saws now is the time to buy it. I had been thinking about it and read on Rob's site that if you purchase one he is donating 15% of the profits to this program, that pushed me over the edge to order one.
A great program for deserving people. I have found that getting in the "zone" while wood working is a great stress reliever and having a completed product from your endeavors to use and enjoy for years to come is rewarding and satisfying. Thank you FW and especially Rob and his team.
I wish there were more people in the world like Rob Cosman..... What an amazing program that benefits Vets and gives them a life long set of skills and the tools they need to continue on in woodworking. There isn't a better guide/teacher than Rob..... Keep up the INCREDIBLE work!!!! Our Vets deserve it!
Great program! I too am involved with a program for vets where we work with them to build a split bamboo fly rod and then go fishing with it. The impact that such programs have is nothing less than miraculous for for both the vets and instructors. Keep up the good work.
Rob, thanks for what you are doing for injured Vets. I served for 29 years (luckily uninjured) and (unfortunately) saw what war can do to people. Things like your workshop will make a big difference in the lives of those fortunate enough to attend. Thanks again. Donation to follow.
Great blog. Also great way to help the vets.
This is such a great combination of two important Passions. Our servicemen and the hobby of woodworking.
A vietnam veteran of mine suggested this to me and completely nailed it. I have been struggling with crippling PTSD for many years since my time in iraq in 2004-2005 and struggling to find purpose in my life... recently i have began learning woodworking little by little and instantly noticed the effect it has on my day to day. I hope to continue this path and slowly purchase a set of tools as i am able with my limited income.
Thank you Rob for providing this program for my fellow brothers and potentially me someday (i signed up yesterday). It means a lot to see people out there who still value the sacrifices these veterans have made.
I would not have put hand tool woodworking together with wounded Vets, but after being part of Rob's workshop for a few years (fantastic by the way) and hearing the videos from the vets on the benefits, I salute Rob and his family for being so generous with both time and funds.
I'd go on and on, but I don't chew my cabbage twice.
Fross
I think this is a terrific program and it is clear that Rob genuinely cares about our wounded vets. We all should. I'm enrolled in the Fall 2017 class and look forward to spending time with those who have sacrificed so much for me.
Great program! This Purple Heart Program provided me an opportunity to acknowledge a fallen member of my family whom suffered from PTSD by contributing in his name. Cosman and his team are working hard to sustain the momentum of a program that is clearly have a positive impact. As a FWW subscriber, I am please by the promotional efforts the magazine is making to support the Purple Heart Program and look forward to it continue to do so in the future. How about inviting Luther and Rob to the FWW and FHB podcasts to allow them to reach even more people for support.
This is an exceptional program and I can't thank Rob enough for everything that he does.
I spent a week in class with Rob in April as a vet. Wood is good! Please help Rob continue this effort. So many can be helped like I have. Thank you Rob and everyone else who helped make it possible for me to recover so many parts of my life.
Congratulations to Rob for this great program and to Fine Woodworking for recognizing it.
Thank you Colonel and thank you Rob!
My Dad had PTSD from WWII. Not sure they knew what it was then or how to deal with it. It's really bad what it does to a person and the family.
GOD bless you and your family Rob!
Family First!
FFW, thank you for publishing this.
What a great class, and classy group of veterans. Thank you for your service, and your great example of selflessness and pride!
This is an outstanding initiative. I've been on a journey similar to the veterans in this story. 38 years service (Australian Army), three wars (Iraq 1990-91, Iraq 2006, Afghanistan 2010-11) and now battling emotional trauma as a result. The biggest heart-breaker for me is the growing number of my former soldiers who have taken their own lives since coming home. If only they'd found the solace and renewal in woodworking that I have experienced. Well done Rob Cosman, you've got a big heart. Thanks for sharing this story, Luther and FWW. John (Retired Major-General, Australia).
What a great program and thank you for your service
Wow great read and what a worthwhile program. Thanks for bringing this program to light amongst the woodworking community. Thank you to all veterans for their service.
Thanks, Colonel, for your time and the great article, and FWW for publishing it. And thanks to Rob and his team for a great program, and all those who are supporting it.
A great project for great people that deserve it.
We should all support it, if not financially then by spreading the word.
Rob and his team have done an excellent job with this special project, designed to help military veterans who have sustained life-changing injuries while on duty. It's purpose is to bring them peace and solitude through woodworking, something many of us take for granted. The recipients of this outreach deserve anything we can provide to them to make this new direction in their lives rewarding and full of purpose. Good job Rob!
God bless our vets and rob for giving them the chance to experience that great feeling we get when creating something we have made with hand tools and especially doing it amoung our band of brothers.
I had the pleasure of attending Rob's workshop this year and I am blown away by the whole experience, it was the best thing I have ever been apart of. Rob has a gift for teaching woodworking and touching people's hearts. The week with Rob, jake, Luther and the other woodworkers showed me a healthy path to recovery. I am forever grateful for the life long memories and therapy that Rob and everyone has given me.
Thank you.
I highly recommend this program for Veterans or anyone who just wants an awesome week filled with woodworking and positive vibes.
I would like to add that there are also many vets that have suffered life altering events, that weren't a result of combat. I'm in NO way taking away anything that those vets that have been changed due to combat. I can personally attest to the above and beyond help i have received from one of your former editors, how his understanding has greatly helped me over the last 10 years. His patience and outstanding explanations. It has done volumes for my recovery from brain surgery. Please acknowledge all of the help I have received from Mr. Rogowski. Hi influence has been one of the only things that have been positive. I can not thank him enough.
Great article and a great idea. I'm fortunate enough to live close to Robs workshop and have seen first hand his passion and commitment to our Vets and to this cause hats off to you Rob for your financial and personal commitment to our vets which is helping so many people.
This is my second post in this blog, and you might wonder, why??? Rob's support of wounded/disabled Veterans is a life-changing situation. He and Jake (his son) and the rest of his crew treated all of us with respect and dignity every minute we had the privilege of being taught and assisted by them. For seven days (five-day class plus transit) there was NEVER a harsh word spoken! I sincerely hope that Rob will be able to continue this massively significant program, but he needs everyone's financial help to do that. Please let MANY Veterans have the opportunity to regain their positive self-worth by contributing in whatever way possible. Rob's class has made a significant improvement on my outlook and attitude, and I'm confident it will do the same for other disabled Veterans.
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