Symbolism can be very powerful.
Several years ago, a Texas blacksmith created a small steel sword that is now used as part of a ritual aimed at preventing veterans from committing suicide. And now a disabled veteran from Elk, Washington is crafting a similar symbol for struggling first responders.
About four years ago, a retired Marine officer named Steve Danyluk and a friend, Danny Prince, were talking about the rising rate of suicides among military veterans. Danyluk runs a non-profit called Independence Corps, that helps vets. Prince is also a veteran and a retired firefighter.
“Danny pointed over to a shelf in his garage and said, ‘I’ve got about 30 pounds of World Trade Center steel over there. Maybe we can do something with that," Danyluk said.
He says that steel is an important reminder for Iraq War veterans, especially, of the importance of their service to the country.