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VFW Helps Young Recruit After Tragic House Fire Amanda Wilen joined the Air National Guard last year, hoping to get back on track and repay some student debt. But when she left for training in Wilen moved in with her father before leaving and planned to store her belongings there till she returned. Tragically, while she was away, a devastating fire swept through her father’s home. Wilen’s father survived the fire, but suffered complications due to smoke inhalation. “He had to see a lung specialist, which was a blessing in disguise in a weird sort of way,” she said. “The lung specialist revealed some problems not related to the fire that needed to be treated.” While her father’s narrow escape was great news, Wilen lost everything she’d been storing at his house in the blaze. Smoke and water damage claimed what wasn’t destroyed by the fire. Everything she owned was gone. “I got into the military to help pay for medical expenses and school loans, but that money wasn’t going to come through until a couple of months after training,” she said. “I was coming home to no help and no job. “It wasn’t until an angel came along that things started to get better.” That “angel” was Jane Lackey, who told Wilen about the VFW’s Unmet Needs Program. “The supervisor of my unit told me to go to her because she’s a Family Resource Coordinator,” said Wilen. Lackey listed organizations that Wilen could turn to, and Unmet Needs was one of them. The VFW gave Wilen $1,600 to pay for two months of rent. She also received a Wal-Mart gift card to replace some of the possessions she lost in the fire. For now, Wilen is trying to get her finances in order and get back on her feet. “I want to grow from this experience,” Wilen said. “I want to make sure I’m prepared in case something like this happens again. “I’m relieved that the VFW was there for me when I needed a boost.” |
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