Canes For Courage was founded in 2012 by retired Combat Veteran Major Steven McAlpin.
Steve served as a Special Operations Officer with the 401st Civil Affairs (CA) Battalion in Webster, New York. There, he served as an Assistant and Primary CA Team Chief with first-rotation deployments to both Bosnia in 1996 and Afghanistan in 2002.
After retirement and relocating to Virginia, Steve noticed that a combat-wounded friend was using a Veterans Administration (VA) issued adjustable cane with Iraq and Afghanistan stickers attached to it. Deeming it unacceptable, Steve resolved to use his 30 years of talent and passion to create functional works of art that would not only assist the veteran with walking, but allow him/her to display individual awards and/or beliefs on their totally unique cane or walking stick.
In addition to custom-carved canes, Steve carves walking sticks and individualized custom carvings. For more information, visit his website showcasing his beautiful work @ www.CanesForCourage.com Furthermore, Steve has been recognized for his skill as a painter. His most recent painting resides in the George W. Bush Library and Museum in Dallas, TX. This painting is also by Steve and is called “Windows Of Opportunity.”
Facing numerous obstacles as an innovative and creative Army Officer, Steve spoke up for his soldiers when their voices were trampled by egos of superior Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Officers. Steve’s true-life story of his time as a soldier is captured in his soon-to be-published memoir: Outside the Wire: The First American Soldier/Teacher in Afghanistan.
This painting, which can be viewed in full display on www.CanesForCourage.com, is also by Steve and is called “Windows Of Opportunity” with the following points of symbolism:
• Five American Soldiers
• 21 Total People
• Large dead tree center-left Fighting pos. Death
• Tree on Right w/ yellow leaves. Two Saplings
• Bottom-right – Taliban
• Upper-left, four male students range in age
• Top-right, two females
• Right, boy sitting on wall
• Right, girl hiding behind column, afraid
• Bottom-center girl looks at book for first time
• American Officer and NCO
• Driver 92 ECB Blk Diamonds
• Windows and doors
• Corrugated Tin Roof
• Window frame from Teacher’s Training College in Kabul – thus the title: “Window of Opportunity”
“Just when I thought I had seen it all, something else jumped into my path and a new challenge was met. It was like that for all of us here. I just prayed that these encounters are safe ones for all of our soldiers.”
~ Major Steve McAlpin, Excerpt from 2002 Diary in Afghanistan
Please visit Steve’s website showcasing his beautiful work!
~ Jenny La Sala
Honoring and featuring our veteran’s service
