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Happy 4th of July to everyone
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When I think of Independence Day, I think of all the men and women who put their lives in harms way to give this wonderful freedom to us. Which brings me to the following:
I'd like to share a story about a Pipe Maker, Mitch Fadem.
I had the pleasure of talking to Mitch back in July 2009, my first month with Pipe Makers Emporium. He was a new customer to PME and while speaking to him, I found his story and background fascinating. I planned to feature him as a Pipe Maker of the month but, when the time came I found out he was deployed back to Afghanistan. For months now, I've wondered how he was doing. Then low and behold, I received this email, and with Mitch's permission I am going to share it with you:
Hello from Kabul,
My brother, Scott, stopped by your place awhile back and picked up a kit. He sent it to me, and I already finished it. Attached are some photos.
I gave it to a colleague of mine here that is also a wood worker in exchange for a cigar ashtray made of American Walnut.
I am working on a second pipe from a block I got from you before I left. I drilled it and fit a stem and shaped it a little before deploying, but the rest I am doing here and it is going slow because I have no tools other than a wood file and some sandpaper. So far I have given pipes (from your blocks) to a COL from Croatia, a LTC from France, two DOD civilians, an Air Force LtCol and a LTC from Norway. I have signed all of them and now will have pipes of mine all over the world.
The rest of the work here is going well with lots of progress being made with the Afghan people. I am working public health issues and education. It really keeps me busy which is another reason the carving has slowed down. I only have about a couple hours a week that I can spare if that.
When I get the next pipe finished, I will send more photos.
Dr. Mitch Fadem, PhD
LtCol, US Air Force
HQ ISAF, Kabul, Afghanistan
Here is a web page for Mitch. http://freehandsbyfadem.com/ It shows many of his pipes also please click on his Bio, and I'm sure you will be as fascinated with him as I was.
I want to thank LtCol Fadem for thinking about Pipe Makers Emporium and taking the time to write us and send pictures.
From all of us here at PME and from all the Pipe Makers sharing this story, we'd like to thank you for your service to our country. Mitch, we wish you a safe and speedy return home.
Pictures of some of Mitch's other pipes:
 
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