Masonry Magazine December 2008 Page. 43
"A straight-shooter," Swafford says. "When you were doing something wrong, he didn't hesitate; he wanted you to get your work as close to perfection as it could be. His policy and motto was "You get paid once to do it right; if you do it wrong, you're doing it on your time." That really stuck with me. He knew every phase of the masonry business. He was, at times, testing me, putting me on little projects just to see how far I'd come with something."
"It's satisfying to know you can do something like this that will last through the weather and may even be there 100 years later."
Though Swafford doesn't believe anyone in his family will continue the tradition of masonry, he is glad he's had the chance to work in a trade that's been so good to him throughout the years. "It's satisfying to know you can do something like this that will last through the weather and may even be there 100 years later," Swafford says. "Every project has my 'name' on it. It's something akin to being an artist. It's hard work, but something to be truly proud of, too."
Recently, Swafford received a call from a local youth who is interested in being mentored by Swafford. He's worked with several individuals as a mentor, and several have gone on to become masons. "It generally takes four to five years to be a top mason," says Swafford. "I'm happy to have mentored others who are now finding success in masonry as well." IMAS
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