In Honor of Veteran’s Day, Solo Stove Celebrates Our Military Members

At Solo Stove, we want to thank all past and current military members this Veterans Day. Your sacrifice, commitment, and strength help grant us the freedoms we enjoy daily.

Beyond saying thank you, we have partnered with Veterans4USA to gift 5 veterans with a Bonfire Essential Bundle to gather around with the ones that matter most to them and provide a calming, quiet night to escape from the trials of the day. 

Meet Our Honorees

“I joined the United States Marine Corps in 1999 and was honorably discharged in August 2003. 

I spent the last year of my service in Kuwait and Iraq and received a good conduct medal,  national defense ribbon, naval unit citation, presidential unit citation, combat action badge, sea service deployment ribbon, southwest Asia ribbon, expert marksman badge, expert pistol badge, and separated as an E-4 CPL.

After getting out of the military, I went to college for 4yrs and received a criminal justice and general technology degree. I became a certified police officer in the state of Michigan and started my venture with the Clare County Sheriff's Department as a court security officer, which lasted 3yrs. I then went to the corrections officer academy to become a corrections officer and did that job for 5yrs. For the last 3 years, I have been a road patrol deputy and received Deputy Of The Year for 2021.   

I have a beautiful, hard-working wife, two kids, and two dogs, and they all mean the world to me. There's nothing I wouldn't do for them, and I love spending time with them. 

My favorite things to do are bow hunting,  fishing,  shooting guns, and riding my Harley. I also love hanging out with my good veteran buddies.”

Michelle 

“During high school, she was an active member in her local community, volunteering while serving as VP for national honors society, and an active member of the Spanish club, health club, and dual enrollment club. Michelle also was an active volunteer for her brothers’ football program. She graduated from HS in 2011. While working full-time as a waitress, she went to school full-time and received her associates from MMCC.

Coming from a military family, she heard her call to join the service, and following her father's footsteps, she joined the US Navy, making her the first woman in her family to join the military.

Serving as an F-18 Super Hornet mechanic, AD3 Blackwell was part of VFA-22, an active fighting squadron in Lemoore, California. With VFA-22 she was attached to the USS Theodore Roosevelt and went on deployment in the middle east, visiting Bahrain, Singapore, the Philippines, Dubai, Guam, and Hawaii. During this voyage, she earned her Aviation Warfare Specialist Pin, Global War on Terrisiom Medal, Navy E Ribbon, and Sea Deployment Ribbon.

After serving 4 years, she was honorably discharged, earning the rank of Petty Officer 2nd class, and returned home. In May 2022, She graduated from Northwood University with honors and a bachelor's degree in business.

Michelle enjoys being outdoors, traveling, volunteering, reading, and learning about different cultures. She is an active foodie enthusiast, enjoys spending time with her 3 furbabies, and loves spending time with her family.”

“In February of 2004, I left for Ar Ramadi, Iraq. There was intense fighting during my time there. I was wounded in combat on April 6th, 2004. We started taking fire while on patrol, and I took the squad to the nearest house for cover. While defending our position, a hand grenade landed a foot away from me. I turned, pushed my radio operator out of the way, took a few steps, and the grenade went off. I nearly died in that house. 

It took several hours for the marines to get control of the area and for help to get in and evacuate the wounded and dead. I was transported to a field hospital. Got flew from there to Baghdad, had immediate surgery to remove my left eye, and shrapnel throughout the left side of my body. 

My medical journey to recovery began at the Balboa Naval Medical Center. I was an inpatient at Balboa while getting a prosthetic eye, neuro psych exams and testing for my head injury, treatment for my broken left wrist, and therapy to regain functioning in my left hand due to my ulnar nerve being cut. 

After many, many months there, I was released to Camp Pendleton medical center to continue treatment. Once I was done with therapy and cleared, I was medically separated and retired from the Marines.

Coming home was a struggle and a journey.

I came back home to Mt. Pleasant. I built a race car and raced at the speedway; I love to race. I give a lot of my time volunteering. I have done toys for tots since 2005. I met my wife, and we had two children. I got on as an assistant varsity football and basketball coach. 

I was a department inspector for the Military order of the Purple Heart, a lifetime member of the Vfw post 3033, and a Marine corps league member. I have been back volunteering with toys for tots since moving back. And have since found Veterans 4 USA.   

I was awarded the Purple Heart, a bronze star for my actions in Iraq. A combat action, overseas service medal, a good conduct medal, and GWOT. Iraqi campaign medal and national defense and a NUC.”

“Army 12b Combat Engineer 90-96. 

Desert Storm Veteran.

90-92 Nuremberg Germany 

92-94 Ft. Carson, Colorado 

94-96 Ft. Knox, Kentucky. 

Born and raised in Michigan. Father of 3 girls and grandfather of soon to be 5 grandchildren. 

Likes are spending time with family and friends and the outdoors.”

“I am a 1991 Graduate of Breckenridge JR/SR High School. 4 years in the Marines. Combat Veteran of “Operation Restore Hope” in Somalia Mogadishu. Married to my wife for 30 years. We have 3 children and one grandson. We also have 2 beagles that are our children, Kolt & Ruger. Currently, I’m a pastor at Seville Community Church of God and a truck driver. I enjoy hunting, fishing, running my beagles, and spending time with my family.”

A Final Thank You to All Service Members

We also want to extend this gift to the other heroes of our nation with our Hero Discount to receive $20 off of their purchase on our site.

Thank you all for your service.

Happy Veteran's Day