Honoring Service and Craft: A Custom Woody Dugout for Purple Heart Recipient Cpl. Kevin M.
At ukiyohi, our mission is to craft products that resonate deeply with our customers. Recently, we had the privilege of creating a custom M1 "Woody" Dugout for Cpl. Kevin M, a Purple Heart recipient from Pennsylvania, who approached us with a meaningful request.
Kevin reached out with a heartfelt story, sharing his journey of recovery and how plant medicine has played a critical role in managing his pain after losing both legs in Afghanistan. He envisioned a dugout that he could cherish—a custom piece featuring the Purple Heart medal engraved on the front, flanked by the initials "KMC" above and the name, "CURRAHEE," below.
"Currahee" is the motto of the 506th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army. It is believed to come from a Cherokee word meaning "stand alone." The phrase is significant because paratroopers are expected to "stand alone" when they drop behind enemy lines.
It was clear that this wasn’t just a dugout; it was a keepsake he planned to treasure for a lifetime. Our team worked closely with Kevin to ensure every detail reflected his vision. The design came to life on our brass-edition Woody Dugout, merging the elegance of its natural wood finish with the precision of custom laser engraving. While we took great care to create a mock-up of the design, Kevin’s trust in our craftsmanship allowed us the creative freedom to make thoughtful adjustments, ensuring the final product exceeded expectations.
For us at ukiyohi, projects like this are more than just customizations—they’re opportunities to build connections and create products that truly matter. Kevin’s words after receiving his dugout speak volumes:
“The ukiyohi team was absolutely amazing. I wanted a dugout that I would actually take care of, so I asked for a custom design. I was injured in Afghanistan, and they created a perfect Purple Heart medal on the front. Thank you so much. I’ll definitely pass the word along to friends.”
To Kevin and all veterans—thank you for your service. It’s an honor to create for you.