Another good reason to have a congregation time and place for all Galoots at
Patina!

Anthony M. Zaffuto, President
Metaltech, Inc.
3547 Watson Highway
DuBois, PA  15801
(814) 375-9399 Tel.
(814) 375-4199 Fax
tzmti@c...
(814) 541-5019 Cell

> -----Original Message-----
> From: oldtools-bounces@r... [mailto:oldtools-
> bounces@r...] On Behalf Of rickyo74
> Sent: Friday, May 30, 2008 1:28 PM
> To: oldtools@r...
> Subject: [OldTools] Re: My bio
> 
> Welcome Nate. You and I have talked at PATINA so you know how I feel
> about you asking for whatever help you need anytime you need it.
> 
> As for you Galoots, well, ya done good. From what he's told me, Nate is
> off to a terrific start OTwise thanks to a friendly but forceful shove
> down the slope received from us. I'm guessing  - and not just hoping -
> that we'll hear from him again.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Rick Yochim
> Purcellville, VA
> 
> Who completely understands but still marvels that Nate thinks he owes us
> any gratitude.
> 
> 
> > 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 memory
> > inspired 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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