I arrived at Traditions Workshop in Fort Walton Beach for a Wounded Warrior Project event designed to give veterans a space for creative and therapeutic hands on work. I was filled with anticipation and curiosity, especially knowing we would be working with iron, something I had never tried before. They day was gray and overcast, and I think it even rained a little, which made the fire outside the workshop feel even warmer and welcoming.
The address leg me to a modest building tucked between larger commercial spaces. From the outside, it looked like a collection of warehouses with their walls opened up. It was easy to miss if you weren’t looking honestly. But the moment I stepped inside, the space revealed its personality. The workshop was a blend a woodworking shop and a welding studio, with tables neatly organized, tools arranged along the walls, and a fire in the corner that kept the chilly air at bay. The smell of wood and metal mixed in the air, giving it that warm, earthy scent that immediately made me feel calm and safe.
My fiancé, came with me, which made the experience even more special. Some people were running late or didn’t show up at all, so we had a little extra space and time to explore the projects together. I have had some trouble walking for a while now so I decided to focus on making a walking stick first. It fields practical but also personal, something I could use and look at and know I made it myself.
Our first task was carving walking sticks from wood. We learned how to wrap Navy style knots around the handles using thread to create a strong, comfortable grip. At first, it was tricky. I kept messing up the tread but once I got some extra instruction, I got the hang of it. It became surprisingly peaceful. The combination of sanding, shaping, and knotting required patience and focused, which was calming in a way I had not expected to. My fiancée was right beside me, carefully working on her own stick. We all shared times and laughs along the way. IT was nice to have someone to share the process with, especially when the space felt so quite and focused.
After finishing the grips, we moved on to carving the faces into the top of the walking sticks. I had never tried anything like this before so it was hard to get started. But the challenge is what made it fun and rewarding when I was finished. I look in at my walking stick as it took shape with each cut. I sanded it and carved it myself, I felt proud about that. It was more than a stick, it was a symbol of creativity and patience. Carving the head on my stick was more calming than I expected. Both of our sticks turned out beautiful. Seeing her excited made the moment even better.
Once our walking sticks were completed, we broke for lunch which was a nice chance to chat with other veterans and the workshop instructors. Even though a few people didn’t show up, the event was still smooth and relaxing. The gray skies cleared as the figure outside stayed warm.
After lunch, we moved on to our second project. Working with metal was a fun experience. We were crafting spiral metal tools designed for cooking over an open fire. At leas that is what I thought it was for. The process involved heating the metal, then carefully twisting and bending it into a spiral shape. It was slower and more challenging than I expected. Then metal cooled quickly, resisted shaping, and required constant attention to every bend and twist. My fiancé was right beside me again, shaping her metal piece with the same patience.
By the end of the day, I had two physical creations, my walking stick and spiral metal tool. More importantly, I connected with other veteran, learn about other events and operated outside of my comfort zone. The creative environment made me feel renewed and opened my mind to new creative hobbies I didn’t think I was capable of perusing. In the future I hope to use the threat technique that I learn from a fellow veteran to make my own watch bands. The workshop highlighted how hands on projects can be therapeutic and grounding. The simple act of shaping wood and metal became a powerful form of mindfulness and a way to slow down and appreciate the moment.
