It seems as if David had an interesting career. Back in October of 2014, David contacted me regarding a flag that was presented to him. The 3×5 flag had been flown over Camp Wise in Afghanistan earlier that year, and he was looking for something special to display it in. He also mentioned that there would be some coins that he’d like to display along with the flag…and maybe he’d like to have a brass plate identifying each coin too…
No problem! this is what I do! Custom Boxes! So off I went to my computer to Cad something up, and I probably gave him an option or two to ponder. I could make a “Hollow Bottom” Flag Case, and embed the coins into the facade, or make a shadow box with a place for the flag and a laser cut mat to hold the coins…do it all the time!
After a few weeks…(probably longer as I don’t think that I talked with David for a while…maybe after the holidays) David gave me a call back to ask if I was still interested in the project. Of course I was as I had already done some of the heavy lifting of design.
“Which option did you want to go with?” I asked.
“Well, I’d like something a little different. Would it be okay if I flew into Dayton and we could talk about it a little more?”
I’m used to the local folks wondering if they can come by…and I’m an accommodating kind of guy, but I’ve never had anyone fly in for a consult…
Dave is my favorite kind of customer…not in a hurry. His visit was productive. We determined that the Flag Box should be more of a “Dog House” style, made from Cherry wood, and that all of the coins were to be exposed (no glass) and easily removable. The only real catch was that I could not have the coins. Usually, I like to have them to ensure a good fit. But I’d have to say the in this case, I didn’t want them. These weren’t cons from Medals of America… All of the coins were personalized…Admiral Suchnsuch, Lt General Sonso…Maj. General Youknowtheguy… From every branch of the service.
With the engineering and design gauntlet being thrown down, off I went to make this box for David. He finally recieved it at the end of April 2016. This box posed a few good challenges. I angled the wood panels backwards so the coins could stay in position without adhesive, and made the cut outs without having the coins. He’s thrilled…and so am I!
