Veteran Spotlight: From Fire Station to Workshop

After 20 years of running into burning buildings, Mike thought retirement would be quiet. He never expected to find a new sense of purpose tied up in paracord.

A Life of Service

Mike joined the fire department straight out of high school. For two decades, he answered calls ranging from kitchen fires to multi-alarm blazes, earning commendations for bravery and becoming a mentor to younger firefighters.

"The fire service was my life," Mike recalls. "When I retired due to a back injury, I didn't know what to do with myself. My identity was so wrapped up in being a firefighter."

Finding Paracord

A fellow veteran introduced Mike to paracord crafting during a support group for first responders dealing with the transition to civilian life. What started as a way to keep his hands busy became something more.

"The focus required for weaving — it's meditative. When I'm working on a bracelet, I'm not thinking about the calls I can't take anymore. I'm creating something."

Joining Knot Forgotten

Mike connected with Jeremy through a veteran's network and immediately felt a kinship. Both understood the importance of purpose in life after service.

"What Jeremy built here isn't just a business — it's a brotherhood," Mike says. "We're all from service backgrounds, and we understand each other. The work matters."

The Thin Red Line

Mike takes special pride in crafting Thin Red Line bracelets, which honor firefighters and EMS personnel. Each one is a tribute to his brothers and sisters still on the job.

"When someone orders a Thin Red Line bracelet, I know it's going to someone who understands what that symbol means. Maybe it's a firefighter, or a family member of one, or someone who lost a loved one in the line of duty. I put extra care into every single one."

Life Now

Today, Mike leads production at Knot Forgotten. His decades of experience with precision and safety protocols have helped establish quality control processes that ensure every product meets their high standards.

But ask him what he's most proud of, and he won't mention the bracelets.

"It's the guys we've helped," he says. "Other veterans and first responders who needed something after service. We've given them purpose, a place to belong, and meaningful work. That's what this is really about."

Mike's Advice

For other veterans and first responders struggling with the transition, Mike offers this:

"Don't try to replace what you had — you can't. But you can find new purpose. It doesn't have to be paracord. Find something that lets you use your skills, connect with people who understand you, and make a difference. That's what service is really about."