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Fairchild Airman receive commemorative Buck Knives for Iraq and Afghanistan tours

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Darlene West
  • 92 Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
03/29/2010- FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash --  Mr. Graham Crutchfield, retired Marine, contributes time and countless efforts as a display of appreciation to his colleagues in the military. From phone cards to Buck Knives Mr. Crutchfield has gone above and beyond to support those who have served.

The beginning of Mr. Crutchfield's crusade started in 2003 in which he took on a project to raise money to help troops afford expensive calling cards. Through the dedication of Crutchfield and his partnership with the National Veterans of Foreign Wars organization, he was able to provide Operation Uplink, an organization started by the VFW in 1996, $15,272 toward phone cards for residents of Kootenai County, Idaho.

Later that year, Crutchfield raised $10,235 for the Disabled American Veterans to provide the Spokane Veteran Affairs Hospital with a replacement van to transport Kootenai County veterans.

In 2004, problems arose with the government-sponsored medical provider for the military. It had not been ensuring the proper coverage for families. Because of Crutchfield's months of determination including countless letters and phone calls, a meeting was held including representatives from the company that provides medical benefits to veterans and their families, the National Guard, and even a representative from the Department of Defense.

His most recent project started in 2005 and began with an idea from Post Falls Idaho Mayor Clay Larkin. Mayor Larkin wanted to find a way to say "thank you" to the Idaho National Guard troops returning home from Iraq. This thought, originally to be a one-time offer, quickly turned into a long lasting project that continues today.

"It is a way of thanking our servicemen and servicewomen for their honorable military service to our country," said Crutchfield. "This is a way we can give something of lasting value."

The Buck Knives company gives Crutchfield a substantial discount on the knives as their way of showing appreciation to the troops. Each knife is specially engraved for the branch of service. Over 1,000 Buck Knives have been given out to military members and families from all services throughout the United States.

"This organization is amazing! Being deployed can be hard." says Senior Airman Heather Davis, 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron logistics planner, who served a tour in Afghanistan in 2008 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. "It is so good to know that the people you left behind are thinking about you and appreciate your sacrifices."

Crutchfield has handed out over 340 knives to members of Fairchild Air Force Base alone to include the 92nd and the 141st Air Refueling Wing. His most recent trip to Fairchild provided him the opportunity to present 98 knives to members of Team Fairchild.

"It was a great honor to be recognized and receive such a thoughtful gift from Mr. Crutchfield and his organization." says Lt Col. Alan Beaty, 92nd Air Refueling Wing Inspector General, who served a tour in Afghanistan in 2006 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. "His tireless efforts to recognize those service members who have served in combat are amazing. His organization is truly one of a kind and their dedication to recognizing service members throughout the Inland Northwest is remarkable."