Of all my Skil power tools, and they are many, my hands-down favorite is a HD77 worm-drive saw that I’ve owned for nearly five years and not used even once. Nor do I believe I will ever use it. You see, this is no ordinary Skil 77. Not that any of these saws is really ordinary, but mine is something special.

It is one of a limited number — 250 if memory serves — that was hand painted in a red, white, and blue, stars-and-stripes, patriotic theme. Twenty five of these saws were auctioned on eBay and proceeds were donated to the New York Fire Department Engine 34, Ladder 21 firehouse, one firehouse of many that were heroes from the tragedy of September 11, 2001. The blade that’s mounted on it is a deep blue color and bears the number of a New York City Fire Department station house that responded to the emergency calls that day and lost many brave firefighters as a result.

I purchased the saw in an online auction, the proceeds of which went to the help the families of the lost firefighters. The saw has held a place of honor in the small space that serves as my office ever since.

I was reflecting on that saw just the other day, its patriotic colors and profound purpose seeming especially significant with Armed Forces Day just a couple weeks away, and the Fourth of July not long after that. It got me wondering if Skil had ever answered the call before. So I got in touch with some of the unofficial historians of the tool company and they provided me with some interesting background on Skil and the American military.

For example, it seems that in 1943, scarcely 20 years after the company got its start, Skil received the Army/Navy “E” Award for manufacturing excellence.
The award recognized Skil’s support of the war effort by building parachute flare release tubes and housings for aircraft gun cameras along with circular saws designed specifically for military use.

The saws were camouflaged in olive drab with a 12-inch blade that was black so it wouldn’t reflect light. The saws saw service in every war zone and with all branches of the military.

I can only imagine how the saws were used. Did they cut beams to help repair a bridge that Patton’s armored divisions needed to cross? Or were they part of the construction of field hospitals, or the demolition of roadblocks and obstructions? All of those things, maybe.

However they were used, I am sure they performed just as exceptionally as the servicemen and women who operated them. But at the end of the day, any saw, whether it’s painted red, white, and blue or olive drab is just a tool. And it’s the men and women, the soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen, along with the police officers and firefighters, who stand ready to protect, defend, and when necessary, rebuild this country that deserve our gratitude and respect.

The employees and families of Skil know that now just as they knew it back then. And to everyone who wears a uniform in support of this nation, I am proud to be able to say on behalf of everyone at Skil: Thank you for your service.