Afghanistan, Iraq war vets receive commemorative Buck knives

Graham Crutchfield holds a letter he personally signs and addresses to each recipient of a Buck Knife as he explains the Buck knife’s significance during a special commemoration ceremony distributing Buck Knives to service members who have served overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., May 21, 2014. Crutchfield is a retired Marine who has dedicated countless hours in service to his brothers and sisters in arms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton/Released)

Afghanistan, Iraq war vets receive commemorative Buck knives

Col. Brian Newberry addresses recipients of the Buck Knife during a special commemoration ceremony distributing Buck Knives to service members who have served overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., May 21, 2014. Newberry is the 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton/Released)

Afghanistan, Iraq war vets receive commemorative Buck knives

Published May 22, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Graham Crutchfield, a retired Marine, dedicated his afternoon to Team Fairchild Airmen May 21 during a special commemoration ceremony distributing Buck Knives to service members who have served overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"This is a gift from the American people who have sons and daughters serving, just like you, in order to give you a gift that cannot be bought," Crutchfield said.

Crutchfield's quest started in 2003 when he took on a project to raise money to help troops afford expensive calling cards. Through the retired Marine's dedication and his partnership with the National Veterans of Foreign Affairs organization, he provided Operation Uplink, an organization started by the VFW in 1996, nearly $16,000 toward phone cards for military members deployed from Kootenai County, Idaho.

Nearly 2,000 knives have been given out to military members and families from all services throughout the United States. Each knife is specially engraved for the branch of service.

"Thank you for the sacrifices you and your families make each and every day," said Chuck Buck, the chief executive officer of Buck Knives, Inc.

Crutchfield and Buck have handed out nearly 500 knives to members of Fairchild, alone. The criteria for receiving a knife are very strict, Crutchfield explained. He said he had a very wealthy gentleman approach him asking for a knife, saying he would pay anything, just name the price. Crutchfield refused.

"Let me know when you get back from Afghanistan or Iraq, and then we'll talk," the retired Marine said as he chuckled. "These knives are only meant for veterans who meet these stringent requirements."

Col. Brian Newberry, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, along with Col. Daniel Swain, the 141st Air Refueling Wing commander, expressed their deepest gratitude for the time and penny Crutchfield and Buck have dedicated to Team Fairchild Airmen.

"These two citizen patriots are emblematic of why we have such a strong country with communities showing love for their military," Newberry said. "We salute all the Airmen who deployed selflessly for their country over the last decade. We must remain engaged as defending freedom must never stop."