Dear Galoots,

My name is Nate Meadows and I owe so many of you my life, quite
literally as you saved me from a very dark place. You all have shown
that you have exceptional character and courage as you reached out and
helped a stranger. That shows amazing bravery and faith. I would like to
fill the void alittle so that I am no longer a stranger in the dark. I
am 27 years old, a youngster among men here:). I am a twin with 5
brothers and three sisters. I was born in Susanville California. My
father is a Family Practitioner and my mother is a Family Psychologist.
I started working with wood when I was five. My father was and still is
building a huge timberframe home in the mountains for my mother. All the
lumber is off his own land. He would give me a chisel and mallet and let
me "work" on the cut offs and scrapes. All through grade school and
highschool I worked for him on the house. I learned to do everything
from framing, joinery, to roofing. I never stopped working on the house.
I even chopped of the tip of my thumb in his new Jet Table Saw when I
was home from college.

I quit college after two years, much to the disappointment of my parents
and joined the Army. It was what I was born to do. Almost very picture I
have of me when I was young shows my enthusiasm for the American
Military. I wanted to serve my flag and country. (Sounds like a clique
but it is true.)

I became a Combat Medic and deployed to Iraq in October 2003 with the
very first Army Stryker Brigade from Ft. Lewis. ("after the war was
over") I was wounded on October 9, 2004, my wife's birthday. I had been
in so many engagements and they almost got me three weeks before I was
going home.

Anyway, I really wanted to stay in the Army as it was where I belonged
so I hide the effects of my injury for as long as I could. I was re-
assigned to the Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery where I was
able to wade the waters of time, but soon everything came crashing down.
I am now being retired from active duty and was struggling to grab life.
I literally did not want to exist anymore. The dark claws of depression
sank deeper into my mind and body each day. I was not sure what the heck
I was going to do.

During one of my visits with my doctor I was reminded of my love for
wood working. Almost nothing can beat the smell of sawdust in the air,
the feel of a smooth finished plank or the beauty of a figured board.
Its almost erotic. I didn't have a shop but the memoryinspired me to
find a way to "adapt and overcome" as they teach us in the army. This
was what I could do and be productive, busy and love it.

I decided to write some letters, swallow my enormous pride as best I
could and ask for help. Eddie of Adria Tools rescued me and introduced
me to you all. Just as I was a the edge of losing all hope you all came
to my aid.

I am now in a much brighter world. I have a beautiful wife of almost 8
years of marriage, a very brilliant 6 year old son and a healthy 7 month
old son. Each day is new. New friends come to stand behind me and help
me get my shop together. I am slowly graduating from the baby stages of
the shop and all of it is due to the kindness of people all over the
world, literally.

I owe a debt far greater than I could ever pay to all of you who had the
courage to believe in a stranger. Each tool is a spark of hope and each
kind word is healing medicine. I hope that this helps you know me
alittle better. I know there is so much more but I do not what to bore
you. If you have any question, seriously ask. It is the least I can do
to thank you for your kindness. I apologize for the lateness and I thank
each of you for your kindness support and generosity.

Very Respectfully and Gratefully,

Nate Meadows

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