Mald's Rebuild Fund
Donation protected
Many of us have looked at certain possessions and felt them impossible to live without. In December of 2016, friend and US Air Force officer Mark "Mald" West lost every single one of them. A fire of unknown cause ripped through his home in Abilene, Texas near Dyess Air Force Base. Winter had finally hit and with temperatures below freezing Mark, or Mald as his fellow bomber aircrew call him, was in the attic ensuring nothing had frozen. At some point in the process he heard the smoke detectors going off and headed down the access ladder to check it out. With no visible smoke or signs of fire, he opened the door to the garage only to be hit by the oxygenated flames. Fortunately, he was not burned but did lose a fair amount of hair which was singed away instantly.
It seems every house in Abilene has attic access in the garage. For whatever reason, Mald's access was on the opposite end of the house. Had this not been the case the outcome could have been much more tragic.
After the inspector and fire department left, it was time to check if anything remained and get the house boarded up to prevent liability issues. Conversations overheard revealed there to be a substantial amount of personal and sentimental items lost. Old newspapers and books, photos, a desk from the late 1800s, all of it gone or irreparably damaged.
As flying squadrons tend to do, there were several dozen people at the house within minutes of word getting out. Mald, strong and calm, continued to orchestrate the group in effort to save precious items from additional water damage. More people showed up with bottled water, food, power tools, rags, shovels, anything to help clean and dry his possessions. Mald had been planning to make a trip back to Utah to visit family but his car unfortunately was in the garage. He went through the entire day still in his flight suit. The network of military spouses quickly put together a suitcase of clothes, gift cards and toiletries in hopes he might still get to see family.
Fortunately he does have insurance, but initial analysis makes it sound like it may not be enough. Donations from the military community will likely bridge any financial hurdles in the immediate term, but any of the $10,000 goal received will go a long way in helping him piece everything back together.
It seems every house in Abilene has attic access in the garage. For whatever reason, Mald's access was on the opposite end of the house. Had this not been the case the outcome could have been much more tragic.
After the inspector and fire department left, it was time to check if anything remained and get the house boarded up to prevent liability issues. Conversations overheard revealed there to be a substantial amount of personal and sentimental items lost. Old newspapers and books, photos, a desk from the late 1800s, all of it gone or irreparably damaged.
As flying squadrons tend to do, there were several dozen people at the house within minutes of word getting out. Mald, strong and calm, continued to orchestrate the group in effort to save precious items from additional water damage. More people showed up with bottled water, food, power tools, rags, shovels, anything to help clean and dry his possessions. Mald had been planning to make a trip back to Utah to visit family but his car unfortunately was in the garage. He went through the entire day still in his flight suit. The network of military spouses quickly put together a suitcase of clothes, gift cards and toiletries in hopes he might still get to see family.
Fortunately he does have insurance, but initial analysis makes it sound like it may not be enough. Donations from the military community will likely bridge any financial hurdles in the immediate term, but any of the $10,000 goal received will go a long way in helping him piece everything back together.
Organizer and beneficiary
Tim Rak
Organizer
Abilene, TX
Mark West
Beneficiary
