Local veteran honored with free backyard makeover
Semper Fidelis is a simple motto, but one packed with meaning for the United States Marine Corp. It means always faithful.
One could be forgiven for thinking these words were originally written to describe Travis Stocker, a captain with the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office. In 2005 Stocker lost 48 fellow Marines during the Battle of Haditha in Iraq as part of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines.
In August Stocker was chosen by the Dalton-based nonprofit veterans organization, Patios for Patriots, to receive a free patio addition to his home in Port Washington. But when all was said and done, a handful of local companies and organizations would come together to totally transform the Stocker’s backyard into a vast outdoor living area.
“We didn’t just get help from a couple of people,” said Jason Geiser, founder of PFP and owner of Deco-Crete Supply. “We got help from so many people and companies. I can’t express my gratitude enough to everyone who joined together to make this happen.”
Stocker was nominated to receive the patio by Curt Baumann and Jason Hancock, both members of Veterans Outdoor Adventures, another local nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans get out and enjoy nature.
“Travis was such a good candidate, not only for his military experience, but for his life of service,” Geiser said. “He went from being in combat to a job where you’re putting your life on the line for others.”
Sheriff Orvis Campbell echoed Stocker’s worthiness. “I’m confident that the reason Travis was chosen is not just because he’s a veteran, but because he has the biggest heart and everybody loves him. And Travis doesn’t try to delegate; he just does stuff. He’s very, very loyal to this office and to serving people.”
Geiser said the patios he builds are not just for the veterans, but also for their families. “It’s unfathomable to me what their families have to go through.”
“I met Travis three or four years ago at another veterans function, and we just hit it off,” said Baumann, speaking of a pheasant hunt organized by Combat Warrior Outdoors to which Stocker belongs.
While most PFP builds are done quickly and revealed as a surprise to the veteran, Stocker and his wife Nicole were already living in the home. But they willingly left for a couple of days to allow work crews to finish up and add a few surprises.
The reveal
On Sept. 1, as the Stockers slowly advanced down their driveway, they were met by a throng of people representing the companies and organizations that were a part of the project.
One of those people waiting to reveal the final result was Justin Reidl, owner of Reidl Construction. Reidl served as a foreman, orchestrating all aspects of the project and donating countless hours of labor.
“Nobody really realizes what these families go through,” Reidl said. “I never served, so this is my way of giving back.”
Geiser guided the Stockers on a tour of their own property, much transformed. The huge patio they saw being built now featured a stamped concrete design, compliments of Deco-Crete, and a fire pit, compliments of Thermo-Rite. Overnight, furniture was placed around the living area, a Pit Boss Grill donated by Lowe’s in New Philadelphia was put in place and a Big Green Egg smoker, compliments of Mason Steel and Supply, was added.
Geiser saved the best for last: a stone marker given by Summit Memorials commemorating the 48 lives lost and a flagpole bearing both the U.S. and United States Marine Corps flags.
A visibly emotional and humble Stocker thanked everyone for their generosity. “I think about these guys every day, the 2004-05 deployment. There are so many out there who are more deserving than I am. I just don’t have the words to express my gratitude.”
In addition to all the shrubs and outdoor lighting, Wolfe’s Lawn and Landscaping donated decorative concrete edging, river rock and a bubbling water feature near the stone marker. In addition, the Strasburg company installed a lawn behind the house.
Veterans Outdoor Adventures donated labor to build a second-floor deck with materials donated by Lowe’s.
Others who contributed materials or volunteer labor included Lanzer Excavating, Operation Flags of Freedom, ProVia, RLA Excavating and others who wish to remain anonymous.
“They went above and beyond,” Stocker said. “It’s like a whole other addition to our house. We’re out there every night now. God bless those guys.”
Later Stocker said, “If these guys would have showed up on my porch and shook my hand and said ‘thanks for your service,’ I would have been totally satisfied with that.”
Geiser encourages people to continue to nominate veterans. “We don’t accept self-nominations,” he said. “Candidates have to have served in overseas combat and received an honorable discharge.”
To nominate a veteran, visit www.patiosforpatriots.org.
