Augusta - A Windsor man who's been making hand-crafted canes for veterans was honored at the VA hospital in Augusta Friday afternoon.

George and Donna Gunning made his first eagle cane around 5 years ago as a favor to a fellow veteran in need.

Since then, the Gunnings have continued making canes; hundreds of them. Folks like Daniel Berard, a retired Navy Corpsman, have delivered around 100 of the hand carved canes to very grateful veterans. "I've had hugs, I've had cries, I've had everything, you know, from bringing the canes to the vets," Berard said.

Each cane with a trademark eagle on top and personalized for every man and woman who's fortunate enough to get one. "It has your name and the choice of three combat ribbons that mean the most to you," said Vietnam Veteran, and proud cane recipient, John Poulin.

Friday, Gunning's 1000th cane was given to the veterans' hospital in Augusta, where it will now hang for all to see. But when they started, did the Gunning's ever think they would get up to 1000? "No," Gunning said with a laugh. "At first we didn't keep records or count them or anything and we used our own money. Well that started to run out fast. We don't do any soliciting whatsoever. It's veterans helping veterans."

Gunning, a United States Navy veteran himself, is now up over 1200 canes and counting, for which he charges veterans nothing. He simply asks for donations from those who can afford it. To Gunning, seeing the look on a veteran's face when he hands them their case is more than payment enough. "It's an awfully good feeling," he said. "I think it's self pride. Doing something that somebody wants, somebody likes and there's no complications, no red tape. They just get a cane."

Print this Story