Any time to honor a veteran is a good time. However, with the Haddonfield American Legion’s Last Man’s Dinner on April 6, and some major military holidays coming up, what better way to honor your veteran or family member of a veteran than with a memento that can be passed down through generations?
Haddonfield resident Scott Durham started a service last March where he sends engraved military multi-tools, all paid for by donations, to honor all active military personnel, veterans, fallen heroes and their families. The military multi-tool is a memento Durham hopes shows not only his appreciation for military personnel, but those who care about them as well.
“It’s just my little way of saying thank you to those who selflessly served our country and were willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for me, my family and millions of Americans,” Durham said.
Durham always had a great love and respect for those in the military. Though he did not serve, he felt a great admiration for those who have and wanted to honor them in some way. So he came up with the idea to give the military multi-tool to members or family members of active duty personnel, veterans or fallen heroes.
“I did not serve, but I always had a deep appreciation and respect for the military and what they stand for. These guys and gals sign up and put their lives on the line for us every day, willing to die for me, you and our families. It is just out of the love and respect for these veterans,” Durham said.
Last year, he found a Leatherman-type knife with wooden handles that opens into pliers and has many other tools and blades inside. He took that multi-tool to Paul’s Trophies in Barrington and asked them if they could make some silver plates, cut out the wood and place them in the knife, with a military theme involved. From there, they engrave any information individuals would like on the knife, usually a name, last rank, branch and date of service, and medals or commendations of a military loved-one.
“I try to get people to ‘think outside the box.’ For example, when they tell me that their father served but is now deceased, I ask them if I can make one in their father’s name and it can become something they can pass down to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, so their story of patriotism, valor and courage can be kept alive,” Durham said.
Durham had made just fewer than 1,050 multi-tools in 2014. This year, he hopes to do 1,500, and said he won’t stop until he’s done 25,000. Each multi-tool is accompanied by a handwritten letter, telling people how much he appreciates the selfless sacrifice they made for the country.
“I’ve made them from ages 18, all the way up to a 103-year-old. One of my greatest rewards is to get to hand them to a 95-year-old that served in WWII, or a 65-year-old man that served in Vietnam, and thank them for their service. Many well-up with tears and tell me it’s the nicest gift they’ve ever received. It makes me proud to be an American,” Durham said.
Since creating the military multi-tool, Durham has met and become a dear friend of Judith Tapper, the president of the Department of New Jersey American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., whom he has made a connection with and made several knives for.
“Approximately 450 of the knives made last year went to Gold Star Families, covering 41 of our 50 states. Just to be associated with these fallen heroes’ families is an honor and a privilege I can’t even describe,” Durham said.
Through the American Gold Star Moms of Colorado and his military multi-tool brochure, Durham recently got a call from Paul Bristol, the founder and director of Base Camp 40, Warrior’s in the Wild, bc40hunts.com. Bristol was also a good friend of the “American Sniper,” Chris Kyle. Bristol and Kyle would take Medal of Honor recipients on elk and mountain lion hunts in western Colorado. He asked Durham if he would make knives in Kyle’s name for Kyle’s family members, for Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper, and for some others.
“To get this call from a man who is a great man and friend to Chris Kyle, it was such a humbling and gratifying experience, and an honor for me to make these knives,” Durham said. “Paul and I met in Colorado, three weeks ago, and I gave him 12 knives in Chris’ name and honor. You can imagine how emotional that was for both of us.”
Durham does not charge for these engraved military multi-tools, but does accept donations. Any donations can be made out to The Ad King, his tool vendor, or Paul’s Trophies, who does his engraving. Those who wish to place an order for a multi-tool are asked to send the individual’s full name, last rank, branch and dates of service, and any special instructions such as medals, commendations, Vietnam Vet, etc. Also, be sure to include delivery information.
Orders and donations can be sent directly to Scott Durham, 146 Hopkins Ave., Haddonfield, N.J. 08033. Any questions can be directed to Durham at (609) 332–5030 or [email protected]. For a copy of the brochure, contact Durham or check out The Sun’s website, www.haddonfieldsun.com, and search “Haddonfield resident makes engraved multi-tools to honor military heroes.”
