JUNE 6 D-Day: An Homage & Timeless Timber, A Local Tampa Bay Bridge to the Beaches of Normandy
Season 2, Episode 774, Jun 04, 05:23 PM
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June 6 marks the 81st anniversary of D-Day (June 6, 1944), the Allied invasion of Normandy, France, during World War II. This event, codenamed "Operation Overlord," marked the beginning of the Allied liberation of western Europe from Nazi control. In tribute to those who served and those who died to keep the world free, Lunchtime Conversation hosts Nanette Wiser and Joe Bourdow focuses Friday's LC on two stories.
(1) You'll hear vintage radio broadcasts from that day to help us remember D-Day.
(2) Just outside Utah Beach sits Marmion Farm, once the site of fierce D-Day combat. Today, it’s being preserved in a remarkable way by Three Forks™ Wood Reclamation, a veteran-owned company based in Tampa/St. Petersburg. Their Marmion Project is reclaiming hand-hewn Norman Oak beams from the site, some still bearing the marks of war, and transforming them into meaningful design elements that carry the spirit of WWII into the present. One of their partners, the Currahee Military Museum in Georgia, is incorporating a 22-foot elm beam from Marmion Farm into an exhibit alongside the original barracks where American paratroopers trained before heading to Normandy creating a tangible link between two historic sites.
Three Forks™ was founded by Army veteran Christian Knutzen and Navy veteran Chris Kelley, who bring 58 combined years of service and a deep respect for history to their craft. They specialize in reclaiming rare, historic wood from centuries-old European structures—barns, mills, and estates—and transforming it into bespoke materials for designers and collectors. Learn more here.
VIDEO The Process of Wood Reclamation with Three Forks
Christian Knutzen Raised in the rugged beauty of Durango, Colorado, Christian grew up surrounded by the majesty of aspen groves and blue spruce. His early days spent exploring the natural world led him to a career in the military, where he served as a Green Beret for over 26 years. With deployments across Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines, Nepal, and South Korea, Christian gained firsthand experience of the world’s cultures and histories. His military service instilled in him a deep sense of duty to preserve and protect what is valuable—whether it’s people, culture, or materials. Now, as a founder of Three Forks™ Wood Reclamation, Christian brings that same passion for discovery, conservation, and preservation to the wood reclamation process, honoring history while creating something new.
Chris Kelley Born near the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana, Chris’ adventurous spirit led him to join the Navy after high school. Over the course of his 31-year service, Chris traveled to numerous countries and immersed himself in diverse cultures, fueling his lifelong passion for exploration. After retiring from the Navy, Chris’ focus shifted to uncovering the forgotten structures of the world—buildings rich with untold stories and hidden treasures. With Three Forks™ Wood Reclamation, Chris has found a way to combine his love for exploration with his commitment to conservation, sourcing and preserving unique wooden structures and giving them new life. His drive to uncover the world’s hidden gems and share their histories is matched only by his dedication to empowering local communities.
Meet them on Friday, June 6 11am-3pm to see historic photos and the historic wood at Arotza Woodworks https://www.arotza.com/ 185 13th Avenue Southeast, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701.
(1) You'll hear vintage radio broadcasts from that day to help us remember D-Day.
(2) Just outside Utah Beach sits Marmion Farm, once the site of fierce D-Day combat. Today, it’s being preserved in a remarkable way by Three Forks™ Wood Reclamation, a veteran-owned company based in Tampa/St. Petersburg. Their Marmion Project is reclaiming hand-hewn Norman Oak beams from the site, some still bearing the marks of war, and transforming them into meaningful design elements that carry the spirit of WWII into the present. One of their partners, the Currahee Military Museum in Georgia, is incorporating a 22-foot elm beam from Marmion Farm into an exhibit alongside the original barracks where American paratroopers trained before heading to Normandy creating a tangible link between two historic sites.
Three Forks™ was founded by Army veteran Christian Knutzen and Navy veteran Chris Kelley, who bring 58 combined years of service and a deep respect for history to their craft. They specialize in reclaiming rare, historic wood from centuries-old European structures—barns, mills, and estates—and transforming it into bespoke materials for designers and collectors. Learn more here.
VIDEO The Process of Wood Reclamation with Three Forks
Christian Knutzen Raised in the rugged beauty of Durango, Colorado, Christian grew up surrounded by the majesty of aspen groves and blue spruce. His early days spent exploring the natural world led him to a career in the military, where he served as a Green Beret for over 26 years. With deployments across Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines, Nepal, and South Korea, Christian gained firsthand experience of the world’s cultures and histories. His military service instilled in him a deep sense of duty to preserve and protect what is valuable—whether it’s people, culture, or materials. Now, as a founder of Three Forks™ Wood Reclamation, Christian brings that same passion for discovery, conservation, and preservation to the wood reclamation process, honoring history while creating something new.
Chris Kelley Born near the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana, Chris’ adventurous spirit led him to join the Navy after high school. Over the course of his 31-year service, Chris traveled to numerous countries and immersed himself in diverse cultures, fueling his lifelong passion for exploration. After retiring from the Navy, Chris’ focus shifted to uncovering the forgotten structures of the world—buildings rich with untold stories and hidden treasures. With Three Forks™ Wood Reclamation, Chris has found a way to combine his love for exploration with his commitment to conservation, sourcing and preserving unique wooden structures and giving them new life. His drive to uncover the world’s hidden gems and share their histories is matched only by his dedication to empowering local communities.
Meet them on Friday, June 6 11am-3pm to see historic photos and the historic wood at Arotza Woodworks https://www.arotza.com/ 185 13th Avenue Southeast, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701.