A Pennsylvania army veteran found a way many years ago to relieve stress and is still carving out time for his hobby even though he is not as strong as he used to be.Joe Yannes is living out his final days in the Lebanon Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, about 90 minutes outside of Philadelphia.The 81-year-old, who is in hospice care, worked as a machinist and did a stint in the Army Military Police."I really liked the duty part of it, but the spic and shine part – that was pretty hard," he said.But he is still doing some hard work with the tools of a long-time hobby. He started wood carving after hearing it could cut stress."One day I was really pissed at something. I decided to try. After a while, I said, 'This sounds pretty stupid.' But it did cool me down. I didn't realize it," he said.Yannes has carved horses and other animals, as well as what he calls ball in a cage."I never really realized it was good art. Everybody kept telling me about how good it is," he said.Yannes donated a piece to the hospice staff that is now on display in a glass case. The plaque with it says, "…for their compassion and care of veterans. Carved from a Tree of Life that will always be remembered.""It's awesome that we'll have a piece of his legacy that he made while he was here," social worker Erin Illyes said.Yannes has made more than a dozen horses, including three since his time at the medical center. He wants each of his grandchildren to have one.
A Pennsylvania army veteran found a way many years ago to relieve stress and is still carving out time for his hobby even though he is not as strong as he used to be.
Joe Yannes is living out his final days in the Lebanon Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, about 90 minutes outside of Philadelphia.
The 81-year-old, who is in hospice care, worked as a machinist and did a stint in the Army Military Police.
"I really liked the duty part of it, but the spic and shine part – that was pretty hard," he said.
But he is still doing some hard work with the tools of a long-time hobby. He started wood carving after hearing it could cut stress.
"One day I was really pissed at something. I decided to try. After a while, I said, 'This sounds pretty stupid.' But it did cool me down. I didn't realize it," he said.
Yannes has carved horses and other animals, as well as what he calls ball in a cage.
"I never really realized it was good art. Everybody kept telling me about how good it is," he said.
Yannes donated a piece to the hospice staff that is now on display in a glass case. The plaque with it says, "…for their compassion and care of veterans. Carved from a Tree of Life that will always be remembered."
"It's awesome that we'll have a piece of his legacy that he made while he was here," social worker Erin Illyes said.
Yannes has made more than a dozen horses, including three since his time at the medical center. He wants each of his grandchildren to have one.
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