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FORWARD OPERATING BASE VULCAN, Afghanistan - Spc. Jeffrey Farmer, Company D, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team was scuba diving in Australia during his rest and recuperation leave last August when he got a message to call home. "I was told I'd been robbed and everything was taken," he said. "Needless to say my R&R went downhill from there."
Farmer is the owner of 2 Man Rental, a tree trimming and home repair service in Trenton, Ga. "They stole two pickup trucks, all my tools, an engine lift, air power tools, four chainsaws, all my clothes and even all my scuba gear," he said, shaking his head.
Nothing was insured, so Farmer made contact with his friend Bill Lockhart, executive officer of American Legion Post 106 in Trenton. Lockhart quickly got to work. Joe Smith, a friend of Lockhart's in Bangor, Maine, threw a fundraiser for Farmer. There was a $10 cover charge, a silent auction, a band and a tattoo contest. They raised $1,488. The American Legion in Trenton threw a fundraiser with a silent auction, a poetry reading and two bands. They raised just under $1,200. Farmer was able to appear from Afghanistan during the benefits through the power of Yahoo Messenger. He got up at 3 a.m. to catch them at the right time.
Donations are still coming in. "There is now just under $7,000 total donated plus a 1992 Dodge pickup truck. A retired Lt. Col. even donated a complete set of scuba gear," he said. "And a motorcycle club in Chattanooga is even taking me on a $500 tool buying spree when I get back."
"I'm extremely grateful," Farmer said. But just to say thank you doesn't seem to be enough. They tell me that being over here is enough gratitude, but I look at it as a job. This is what I do. They have given up items and money and time. I guess you just need love in your heart."
| Date Taken: | 02.23.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.23.2010 01:32 |
| Story ID: | 45714 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 591 |
| Downloads: | 560 |
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