When victorious soldiers returned from the First World War, many of their rifles and armaments were collected, stored, and forgotten. Later when the Great Depression arrived, the valuable metals were sent to foundries where they were melted down to make tools for the WPA programs. Frank Distel, grandfather of Jonathan R. Distel, ran some of these work programs during that difficult time in our Nation's history. Pictured here are picks and sledgehammers made from gun metal along with lanterns and road torches used on those public work projects.