Here to Help: Artist Eric Scarlett lends support to local veterans

Eric Scarlett has done a lot of living with his life. Born and raised in Ventura, Calif., Scarlett transitioned from being a machine shop kid to being in the military and then starring in a series of high-powered TV shows about cars, like Overhaulin’ and Monster Garage.

After an honorable discharge, at a time when Scarlett was struggling with PTSD and health-related issues from his service in the Navy during Desert Storm, Scarlett elevated his metal-working skills for a higher cause: he began to make art in honor of fellow disabled veterans, specifically intricate metal United States flags.

“You can’t mass produce honor,” Scarlett said of his flags, each of which are handmade and one-of-a-kind creations, borne from his own sweat and blood.

The inspiration came to Scarlett at a dark time in his life, when he was trying to make sense of the trauma he had experienced during wartime. “All these years of not being taught how to love, or find God, I didn’t get it,” he said. “I was remembering things. I started losing myself. While I was there, I was dreaming, and I dreamed the statement, ‘The bombs bursting in air.’ I kept seeing the image of the flag. So it came to me, at 3 in the morning: I need to make flags.”

At this point in Scarlett’s life, things took something of an upswing.

“In 2008, I applied for disability,” Scarlett said. “In 2012, they gave me 100% disability.” During this time, Scarlett shut down his businesses in California, met his second wife Chrisy — with whom he just celebrated their 10th anniversary — and eventually moved to Texas.

“I fell in love with the state of Texas,” Scarlett said. “Everyone says, ‘Thank you for your service.’ Everyone, from the smallest two-year-old kind to old people, to a man who could barely speak English. I love that about this state.”

As Scarlett was relocating his family — including his three daughters and quadriplegic best friend, Michael — to Texas, he was commissioned to build a monument in Victoria.

“I was asked to build a monument,” Scarlett said. “A Field of Honor. Thousands of flags and a big pavilion, an eternal flame. They asked, ‘Do you think you could make one of those out of metal?’”

Scarlett admitted that at first, he didn’t believe that he could. “I’m physically disabled,” he said. “I thought, ‘I can’t do it.’ But my friend and my wife said, ‘Eric. You are one of the best. Slow down. Take your time and do what you do.”

And so he did. Scarlett went down to the site, took pictures, submitted a drawing and provided specs. With the support of Lincoln Electric, Scarlett worked on the project from January to April of 2021. The Eternal Flame, for which Scarlett was nominated as a DIY Hero, honors all soldiers lost from The Golden Crescent since WWI, and will be publicly re-dedicated at the end of this month.

As Scarlett and his family settled into their new home here in San Marcos, Scarlett began again to think of the best ways to put his gifts to use. As a member of the community, he wanted to find ways to serve his fellow veterans.

“We’re here to help any veteran get the help they need to have a life,” Scarlett said. “Fishing, water adventures. A veteran’s breakfast each month. Find a church building where we could go every month. I’ve already done what I’ve done. I’m about helping people.”

Scarlett will attend the Heroes N MOre Celebrity BBQ today at 12 p.m. at Colt’s Sports Park in San Antonio. Heroes N MOre is a nonprofit organization that benefits terminally-ill and special needs children. For information about the event, check their Facebook page at fb.me/e/1VUa4JpdD

For more information about Scarlett, visit his website at EricScarlett.com.

“I fell in love with the state of Texas. Everyone says, ‘Thank you for your service. I love that about this state.”

– Eric Scarlett,

Artist and Navy veteran