Canes For Vets Program

We would be honored to share with you our cane making talent. The personalized cane will be presented to you with our Love, Respect and Profound Appreciation for your sacrifice. The information requested will only be released to the maker of your cane.

Those eligible to apply for a cane through this program are as follows:

1. All World War ll Veterans are eligible if they received the World War ll Victory Medal.

2. Korean War Veterans who served in Korea or adjacent waters and awarded the Korean Service Medal.

3. Vietnam War Veterans who served in Vietnam or adjacent waters and awarded the Vietnam Service Medal.

4. Veterans of the War on Terrorism who have been awarded a Purple Heart for injuries.

It all got started by an article in Chip Chats magazine about a Carving Club in Oklahoma that wanted to make presentation canes for wounded Vets returning from the Gulf War. George contacted the OK Club on how we might get involved. They wanted us to send canes to them and they would distribute them to various Military Hospitals in the US and Germany. George presented the idea to the ANCC to see if there was an interest in making a commitment to construct canes and walking sticks for Vets. Wanting to have a more personal touch and keep the project closer to home, George contacted the VA Hospital in Lebanon and that got the ball rolling. Our first cane was presented to a patient at the VA Hospital, November 28 2007. Since then we have made presentations at the Hospital, at our regular monthly meetings, and at the homes of those that could not make the trip to a meeting. Over 194 canes have been presented so far, with a few still in the construction. Many of our members have had the privilege of presenting their handiwork in person and others have been delivered by mail. We try to get pictures of the recipient and presenter if possible. The pictures can be viewed on our facebook page. We would also thank a few nonmembers who have constructed canes and donated them to us for presentation.

If you are interested in applying for a cane, you can click on the link below to print out the application. All the information you need for the application process is on the application. Then just fill it out and send it in to the address that is the closest to where you live. project_canes_for_vets_application.pdf

ANCC Canes for Vets Program in the News

TV coverage from WGAL

Lancaster Online article "Carving out a way to honor veterans"