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Bases lend hand to PCSing family hit by thieves

When airmen at Fairchild and McChord Air Force bases learned that one of their own had been robbed of his most valuable possessions in Spokane, Wash., they didn’t hesitate.

Within two days, Tech. Sgt. Dewey Brown and his wife, Sharon, were inundated with gifts of cash, clothing, food, lodging and Christmas presents for their 7-year-old daughter, Cami.

The gesture turned a holiday heartbreak into a life-affirming story.

“There are no words to express our gratitude and appreciation,” Brown said. “What a humbling experience.”

Brown and his family were on the last leg of a move from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., to McChord when they stopped at a motel for the night. On the morning of Dec. 21, Brown awoke to find that their truck and moving trailer had been stolen from the parking lot. Police recovered the vehicles that afternoon, but valuables including laptops, jewelry, firearms, clothing and Christmas gifts had been taken.

Brown didn’t think to contact Fairchild, but his father, a retired airman who belongs to a veterans motorcycle association, was able to get word to a master sergeant at the base who is also a member. As news of Brown’s situation spread throughout the base, donations began to pour in.

Fairchild airmen collected more than $2,200 in cash, $100 in vouchers at the commissary and Army and Air Force Exchange Service, and Christmas gifts for Cami. The Spokane VA Medical Center also collected nearly $1,000. A local auto body shop repaired the family’s vehicle for free, and the motel where the break-in occurred gave them free lodging for the holidays.

“You could just tell they were really surprised, they were very grateful,” said Eddie Steetle, a community readiness consultant at the Fairchild Airman Family Readiness Center. “It was just a really good feeling to see this family get this kind of support during this terrible circumstance.”

More assistance was waiting when the Browns finally made it to McChord.

On Dec. 29, they walked into their temporary lodging at the base to find a full complement of towels, soaps and shower curtains, a refrigerator full of food and still more gifts for Cami.

Brown, who in February will start a one-year tour at Kunsan Air Base, Korea, was touched by the reception.

“I’m so happy to be here and so looking forward to being part of Team McChord,” he said. “We love that the military takes care of their own.”