Community unites after fire destroys Marine’s home

Photo By Senior Airman Kevin West | U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Ruben Barnett, U.S. Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston correctional specialist, and his son, Ruben received gifts from BAE Systems at his new home Dec. 21, 2016. Barnett and his son lost all of their belongings in a house fire the day before Thanksgiving. BAE Systems and Operation Homefront host a campaign called the Joy of Giving where they sponsor a family in need during the holiday season.  

CHARLESTON, SC, UNITED STATES

12.23.2016

Story by Airman 1st Class Kevin West 

Joint Base Charleston

A portable speaker left on a couch malfunctioned causing U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ruben Barnett and his son to lose their home and everything inside.

“I got there and everything was destroyed,” said Barnett. “I don’t know, there was a lot of stuff going through my mind. I didn’t really know how to feel.”

When the housing office heard what transpired, they were quick to assist the family in need.

“We had a home available for him to move into,” said Sandra Berkos, Joint Base Charleston Family Housing community director. “We gave him the keys within the hour after he arrived. He had a new home but he didn’t have furniture. He lost everything. We gave him the keys to our model home which has a bed and furnished rooms. Then we went to the Base Exchange to buy him and his son some essential items.”

Berkos also recommended Barnett and his son to Operation Homefront as a family in need. BAE Systems and Operation Homefront host an annual campaign called the Joy of Giving where they sponsor a family in need during the holiday season. This year provided housewares and gifts for Barnett and his son.

“We have a great partnership with BAE Systems,” said Alana Stroker, South Carolina community liaison for Operation Homefront. “They like to sponsor military families, especially around the holidays, in conjunction with their other program. We have also had a good relationship with the housing office here at Joint Base Charleston. I asked housing if they had a family in need of some support for the holidays and they recommended Mr. Barnett, which is how we got here.”

Operation Homefront’s mission is to work with the community, businesses and people to build strong, stable and secure military families.

"Thank you to Operation Homefront and BAE Systems, who sponsored the event. Also, to Hunt Communities who helped coordinate this for a military family in need,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Lyman, Joint Base Charleston commander. “This was a nice and gracious touch from our community.”

The kindness and caring shown by BAE Systems, Operation Homefront and his JB Charleston teammates gave Barnett and his son a chance for a happy holiday season after an unfortunate disaster.

“My command and the housing office helped a lot,” said Barnett. “We got a lot of stuff from everybody, everywhere. I’m grateful I’m in a place where that can happen. Being in the military, people say these are all ‘your brothers and sisters.’ Sometimes you don’t realize it’s a close knit group. Then something happens and you see people really do care. People I didn’t even know were calling, texting offering assistance. It is great.”

(Editor’s note:Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.)

• Date Taken: 12.23.2016
• Date Posted: 12.28.2016 09:42
• Story ID: 218782
• Location: CHARLESTON, SC, US