Afghanistan Veteran's first call as firefighter lieutenant was to his own house

Community rallies to help veteran left homeless by fire


By Judy Simpson

Jericho, Vermont - January 20, 2012

The sign in front of Clark's Truck Center in Jericho says it all: asking for donations for a family whose home was destroyed by a fire Jan. 14. The home is owned by Travis and Becky Hale and their five children. All made it out safely. In an ironic twist, Travis is a member of the Underhill Jericho Fire Department. And so is Randy Clark, who owns the truck center.

"To have a fire at one of your own people's houses-- it's tough. Wish I did not do this, but anyway, so that is what we are doing, we are raising money for Travis and Becky. They are great people and trying to help them," Clark said.

Just days before the fire, Travis was elected as an officer for the volunteer department.


"Yeah, like I told a few people Tuesday night I was elected as a lieutenant, and Saturday I went to my first call at my own house. So definitely not what you expect when you join the fire department," Travis said.

His main concern was that his fellow firefighters were not injured battling a fire at his house.
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