Fri Jul 03 2009
by Miles Jung-Kilbreath
Reporter
Streetsboro -- Resident Becky Spence said her son, Lance Cpl. John Saxson, was one of the "lucky ones" when 10 buildings at his Columbus-based unit's camp burned down in a June 25 electrical fire in Iraq.
"He was on patrol when the fire spread, so at least he has his uniform, unlike many of the other people in his unit," Spence said.Now Spence is seeking donations to replace items her son and more than 50 soldiers from the camp lost in the fire. She said soldiers lost all of their personal items in the fire.
"John said at least half the men don't have any families to send them new supplies," Spence said.
According to a July 1 news release from the U.S. Marine Corps, no one was injured in the blaze.
Saxson, 23, was serving a tour of duty in Iraq with the Lima Company 3rd Battalion 6th Marine Regiment when the fire tore through the camp during the afternoon of June 25 outside Fallujah, Iraq.
According to the Marines' news release, the fire is believed to have been caused by a faulty light fixture.
Saxson, a member of Streetsboro High School's Class of 2004 who attended attending Maplewood Career Center for high school, joined the Marines to follow in the military footsteps of his grandfather, who served in the U.S. Navy, and father, who served in the U.S. Army, said Spence.
"John is very thankful that he was wearing his grandfather's dog tags while on patrol. He would have lost them in the fire, and they mean a lot to him," Spence said.
Spence said items needed for the soldiers include extra pillows and comforters for beds; puzzle books and other recreational items; running shoes; and bottles for water with powdered drink mixes. She said soldiers could also use old MP3 players to listen to music in their free time.
"John's grandparents replaced a PSP [video game system] that he lost in the fire, and he has been passing it around and sharing it with the other soldiers," Spence said.
She also is accepting money to help cover shipping charges and she would send all donations and items she receives.
For more information on making a donation, contact Spence at 330-422-1120.
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