No More Home to Come Back to :-(((

The Fresno Bee ^ | 11/11/04 | By Charles McCarthy / The Fresno Bee

[JusticeTalion]

Soldier is back in the U.S. on leave after his Chowchilla house burns.

Terry Hitchcock, a soldier stationed in Iraq, is home in Chowchilla on emergency leave to deal with the aftermath of his family's house fire. He hugs his 8-year-old son, Brandon, in the doorway of the burned home under a flag sign yellowed from the fire.

Taking emergency leave from Iraq to return to a fire-gutted house in Chowchilla wasn't the happiest homecoming for Army Spec. Terry Hitchcock, but he and his family were thankful to be together Wednesday.

"I just want to take care of my family and get them settled somewhere," said Hitchcock, 42.

He must return to action Nov. 23, giving him only a brief time to find a new home and help his wife and children find new clothing and furniture. After that, he'll be gone until at least February.

The fire that caused $80,000 in damage started in an electrical plug or cord, fire investigators told the Hitchcocks. The family had no renters insurance and lost nearly all their belongings.

[dbwz]

It would be cool to have them build a house if we could come up the $$ for the land.

I would guess that they're probably renting because they're military - and we all know how these folks are transferred from one place to another every now and again. Sometimes it just isn't practical for them to purchase. It's a great thought, though.

[Spyder]

Keep us informed. Thanks!

[spodefly]

I just tried to email Kim and the email bounced:

Your message was rejected by mx1.mail.yahoo.com for the following reason: delivery error: dd This user doesn't have a yahoo.com account (kimwhately@yahoo.com) [0] - mta175.mail.re2.yahoo.com The following recipients did not receive this message: kimwhately@yahoo.com

Is there another contact?

[Spyder]

You spelled it wrong - the e-mail listed above is kimwhatley@yahoo.com, not kimwhately@yahoo.com. ;-)

[VOA]

Wrong! The first family to recieve an extreme makeover was a family that had
the father over in Iraq.

I'll back that up...I saw the adverts.
But I didn't watch...
since 9-11, I've learned that certain bits of film/songs are gonna'
bring those danged saline emissions from some ducts near the eyes!

[spodefly]

Oops ... Thanks ... I'll try it again ...

[Billthedrill]

Thanks for the update. Checkbook ready. Just let us know.

[JusticeTalion]

Show it to more Freepers BUMP. Been in contact with the Fresno Bee. Will update that as it happens. :-)

[DancesWithSquirrels]

Donated before the "fund" post was posted
My first post hope I did this right :)

[patriciaruth]

pinging for followup when we get more information.

[writer33]

Thanks for the ping, patricia.

[LakeLady]

Thanks for the ping, p.r.

My soon to be daughter-in-law lives in that area. I'll call her and see if she knows this family.
LL

[2nd amendment mama]

Bumping for more Freepers to see this thread

[spodefly]

Got in touch with Kim. I have a computer to send. Kim was happy about that as it was the family's means of communicating while Terry is in Iraq. Thanks for the thread.

BTTT

[chickenlips]

When you find out the trust fund, PLEASE notify me. I want to help!

[Coop]

Bump for a needy family whose father is serving our nation.

[rwfromkansas]

um......no.

Please have some facts before speaking.

[daybreakcoming]

Thanks for the ping Patti - let me know please when more info comes in on where to send donations.

[Ros42]

Thank you for the ping Patricia!! My heart goes out to this family and I will keep them in my prayers. As soon as they establish a place to send $$ I'll be glad to help out!

[JusticeTalion]

Thanks for the thought, the contribution and the post. All are appreciated. :-)