Traverse City Resident Crafts Wooden Sculptures for Veterans

Traverse City resident Mark Towne lives by a simple rule.

“Treat others as you want to be treated,” he said. “It’s not that hard.”

That’s something he carries in his every day life, and in his artwork.

Towne was first introduced to woodworking over a year ago.

“I found an American flag that was rustic and I went and bought it for my son for his new house,” he said. “I checked it out and I was like, ‘You know, I could make this better.’”

He discovered woodworking took a lot of steps to complete, and it took a bit of practice, but he quickly fell in love with the hobby.

“It starts off with the wood, you got to draw what you want on there, everything’s freehand, and then just turn the machine on and start cutting,” said Towne.

He started making pieces for his friends and family, but he wanted to do more, especially for those who served.

“It’s more of just trying to do my part,” said Towne. “They did their part, now it’s my turn.”

Towne started making wooden hearts and eagles with a hand-stained American flag design. His goal is to give those pieces to veterans for free.

He asks people on Facebook if they know a veteran who would like one of his pieces. He also loves to give them out in person.

“The other day I saw a gentleman at Sam’s Club and he had a hat on, so I said are you a veteran?” said Towne. “He was not too sure why I was asking, so I saluted him and I said I got a present for you. He was very excited.”

All he asks for in return?

“Just a smile,” said Towne. “That’s all I want.”

He’s given out over 100 of his pieces to veterans locally and across the U.S. Towne’s new goal is to reach 1000 veterans.

“I get emotional,” said Towne. “It’s an emotional thing for me because I care.”

If you know a veteran that would like one of Towne’s pieces, or if you would like to contribute to his goal, you can send him a Facebook message or join his Facebook group.