USO helps sailors affected by fire

A massive fire broke out aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard July 12 in San Diego.

For more than four days firefighters battled the fire, resulting in 63 sailors and ci­vilians injured. The cause of the fire is still unknown; an investigation was launched to determine the cause.

The Navy Times reported that the damage is exten­sive, and the Pentagon will have to decide whether to re­pair the amphibious assault vessel or scrap it.

Serving service members for nearly 80 years, USO San Diego began immediate ac­tions to help those on the forefront of fighting the fire.

“We initially started by taking pallets of water and Powerade to help the sail­ors fighting the fire so, as they came out on shifts, they would have replenish­ment onsite to hydrate and go back to fighting the fire,” said USO San Diego Execu­tive Director Ashley Camac.

Camac said nearly 80 sail­ors lost all their belongings, as it was a workplace for some and a home for many.

“We would like the commu­nity to understand that ap­proximately 130 sailors lived onboard,” said Camac. “They are human beings, they live there, their personal and professional belongings were there. It’s a very sad situation. These sailors will not only have to replenish their uniforms, but everything else they had onboard that they were personally attached to. They also need socks and t-shirts that can go under coveralls while they are working in recovery mode onboard. This is a bit much for them to handle. And the USO is standing by their side until they get to the next step.”

Camac said after the initial help, the USO worked directly with the command’s leader­ship to identify what was needed.

“We are an organization that has a memo­randum of understanding with the Depart­ment of Defense,” said Camac. “So, we are a trusted, vetted non-profit organization that the military knows that exist and that it will stand by all of its service members for what­ever is needed.”

Camac said the community wanted to know how they can help. She said that the USO im­mediately gave donations of toiletries, bags of food, and provided meals for different shifts until the fire was under control and reactive situation is completed.

“Now, toiletries are great, but these sailors must replace their uniforms,” said Camac. “To help with that people can donate with gift cards or money where we can purchase gift cards and get them back to the sailors.”

Donations can be dropped off at the USO Liberty Station Center location or online at www.sandiego.uso.org.