Life in the military is an adventure, but let's be honest – it also comes with a unique set of stresses. The constant moves, the demanding operational tempo, the complex challenges... Sometimes, you just need an outlet. For me, years ago, that outlet became woodworking.
I picked up the hobby as a way to manage the pressures of the military lifestyle. In a world often filled with complex problems involving countless personalities, I found a certain peace in the tangible nature of shaping wood. In my workshop, I could solve problems directly, see immediate results, and create something lasting with my own hands. It was my way of finding quiet focus amidst the noise.
For a long time, it was just that – a hobby. Then came the gift that changed everything.
The Spark: A Great-Grandfather's Legacy
My great-grandfather served for 40 incredible years, a career that began in the Army Air Corps before the U.S. Air Force even existed. He learned to fly a biplane while in ROTC and became a research and development engineer, serving all over the world. His career literally spanned the history of American airpower, culminating in work on modern jet engines and rockets. He loved the Air Force, and our family cherishes the stories of his adventures (and his two sons' misadventures!).
A few years ago, I was deeply honored to receive his military sword. It was more than just an object; it was a tangible link to his legacy, a piece of our family's history of service. The thought of storing it away in a closet, hidden for "safekeeping," just didn't feel right. A symbol like that, representing so much dedication, deserved to be seen, to be honored, to spark conversations about the service he gave – a service we are incredibly proud of. That very moment planted the seed for what was to come.
The Idea: An Underserved Need Across the River
Around the same time, life brought my family to Connecticut, where I served at the Navy Submarine Base in Groton. Right across the Thames River was the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. My relative was a cadet there, and our family had the privilege of being a host family, opening our home to cadets needing a break from academy life.
Getting to know these dedicated young men and women, I learned that every single one receives an officer's sword before graduation. I also saw how often the Coast Guard, due to its smaller size, can be overlooked when it comes to specialized, high-quality recognition items.
Connecting the dots between my great-grandfather's sword needing a home and these cadets needing a way to honor their own symbol of achievement – that was the moment. I went into my garage workshop, driven by a new purpose: to build a display worthy of these symbols.
From Garage Hobby to Family Mission
Blades Raised officially launched in early 2023, born from that simple idea in my Connecticut garage. Initially, I made everything myself, fueled by passion but limited by my own skills and basic tools. The response from the military community was humbling, and frankly, I couldn't keep up while still serving on active duty.
That's when this became a true family affair, rooted in my wife's home state of Pennsylvania, and the quality took a massive leap forward. My talented cousin, Jim, took over the master craftsmanship. Honestly, with his superior skills and professional-grade tools, the quality of every piece we produce today is better than it has ever been. My brothers-in-law, Adam and Dan, handle inventory, packaging, and shipping from their shop. And my nephew, Jake, runs our laser engraver, adding the personalized details.
Our entire operational team is headquartered in rural Pennsylvania. This dedicated setup allows the business to thrive and ensures consistent quality and reliable service, no matter where the Navy requires me and my family to serve.
Today, what started as a personal project is now a team of five, united by a shared mission: to serve the military community by crafting high-quality, American-made heirlooms that honor a legacy of service. Since we started, we've been incredibly proud to have donated or sold over 700 products bearing the Blades Raised name – a small contribution we are honored to make to families celebrating their most important milestones.
I'm now a military officer and an engineer, just like my great-grandfather. And today, I proudly hang my own sword right next to his. We understand the pride behind the uniform because we live it too. Every display we create carries a piece of our family's story and our deep respect for yours. Thank you for letting us be a small part of celebrating your most important milestones.
- The Blades Raised Team
