George Draper

  I was born in Maine and grew up in a town called Greene. I worked with my father in masonry business until joining the Army.

  I served in the Army as Combat Engineer 12B30, 1977-1984. I was stationed at Ft. Devens, MA with the 39th Combat Engineers my first year, then I went to Germany to the 317th Combat Eng. for three years.  While there I trained myself to run marathons. I started running for the Army every weekend in half marathons and ran in the 1st Frankfurt Germany Marathon.  I was then assigned to Ft Campbell, KY to the 20th Combat Eng.  I went through the 101st Airborne Air Assault School and then took the Rappel Master course.  I had an accident when rappelling from a helicopter. I then went through Drill Sargant School at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Made the E-7 Board but left the Army before June.

In March of 2007, I found out about PHWFF and became a participant. Two years later became a volunteer for PHWFF. I attend their first RC/PL class in MD.  I won first place in the 1st year of PHWFF Rod Building Contest and 2ndPlace the next year. I started to help teach rod building each year and volunteering whenever I could. 

In 2011 I helped start a program called Back In The Maine Stream for disabled veterans.

I was New England Regional Coordinator for PHWFF, a position I accepted when Ed Nicholson asked me in 2013. It started with 4 active programs, and it grew to 18 programs by the time I left just over 5 years later.

I went to Ketchikan AK., on the HRB (Hot Ruddered Bum) in 2008 where I met Garry Morfit and that started my volunteering in Alaska in 2009. I have been going up helping and mentoring Veterans on the HRB and Healing Towers for all but two years due to medical issues.

 I grew up in the construction field. As my body broke down due to my injuries in the service, I had to change my job profession. I started Draper’s Woodworking making Furniture, Wood carving & burning. Then started Bear Claw Engraving and Sandblasting Awards and Glass.

I'm so grateful that I can start giving back to these organizations that have given so much to myself and so many other Veterans. Veterans helping Veterans!

A new world opened for me. I went from never leaving the house or yard to being so busy can't find enough time to do everything.

I feel blessed to be given this opportunity to be of some service. I'm a firm believer in giving back and paying it forward.