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Anonymous
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GeoRock - my prayers are with Steve, your family and friends, and with all others who are affected by these terrible fires. I have added Steve's name
to our group prayer list; we send him energy and prayers for healing 3 (or more) times daily. Please keep us posted regarding his recovery.
Berkeley is a bit of a drive, but if any of you are in need of a place to stay please know you are welcome in my home. One extra bedroom, along with
plenty of floor space. If we can be of assistance please u2u me (presumably I'll have been reminded of my password and will be able to read your
mail).
...Natalie Ann
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Natalie Ann
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Got my password (that was quick! thanks) so if you need a place to recoup, u2u me.
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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Skeet/Loreto
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People helping People!!!!Isn't it the greatest felling to see the help for those people in need.
Oh! if our nation could come together like the Baja People for their fellow amn!!
God Bless All.
Skeet/Loreto
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Bob H
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Steve is one big hero. He is now in the process of getting the best care available. I work for UCSD Medical Center and I know first hand that our
Burn Unit is a internationally recognized center. My heart goes out to him and his family. Get well soon Steve!
Bob H
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GeoRock
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Update on Steve
Thank you all so very, very much for your touching outpour of prayers and concern. I am sorry I haven't had a chance to update anyone until now, the
day's passed so fast.
First, when I originally posted, the story I wrote was what I had been told by Steve's mom. Since then, we've been trying to piece together what
actually happened.
Apparently, Steve was at a Halloween party at the Roach's home, which is a very short distance from his mom's place on the San Pasqual Reservation. At
about 3 or so in the morning, a sherriff banged on the door and told them they had 20 minutes to evacuate. It turned out to really be 10 minutes.
The Roach's home has a long driveway, and cars have to leave in the order in which they parked. After throwing stuff in their cars, everyone began
leaving. The parents drove off, Jason with his 16 year old sister Ashleigh left. Aliason was still looking for her cats. Steve shoved her into her car
and told her to leave. She drove out, followed by him, he was the last car.
Alliason hit a tree and crashed. The smoke and fire were upon them already. Steve saw her crash and stopped, got her out of her car, shoved her into
his car and took off. But the air was completely black. A curve in road, unseen, caused his car to go into a ravine. They were now on fire. He pulled
her out of his car, shoved her up the ravine, and ran. He tried to shield her body with his body. He was wearing his military uniform.
Here it gets a bit sketchy, but apparently Jason spotted Alliason and got her out to help. He had crashed meanwhile, and thought his sister Ashleigh
had gotten out of the car because he couldn't see her in it. He couldn't find her. They think she died on impact. Another person thought they saw 3
people in his car, and are positive of it, but upon closer inspection couldn't find anybody. Ashleigh was still in the car, but likely had passed from
the impact.
Jason and Alliason couldn't find Steve. Again, facts are hazy again. But at some point, a woman found Steve and took him somewhere (her home?). Steve
instructed her and her husband to hose him off to stop the continued skin burning from the heat. He was air vac'd out to UCSD Burn Unit.
The story is very hazy still. And it could change as people come forward and tellwhat they saw/did. But this is the latest version.
Steve's mom's home and our parents (on the same lot), are okay. We spent 3 days cleaning up burnt debris, fixing burnt items, and trying to de-smoke
the homes.
That was after attending Ashleigh's heartbreaking funeral. It was attended by over 1000 people. I believe their home burned down. Alliason is not
doing well, but hanging in there.
Steve is having his first skin graph operation as I write this. He is strong, and young, and should recover well. His entire face, back of his neck,
and around his neck burned, but he was left with a nice large tuff of hair on top. His ears burned, and his arms (from the uniform short sleeve end
down )to his fingers. About half his fingers are fine. 2nd and 3rd degree burns, depending on the area.
He is depressed about Ashleigh, he feels he should have somehow saved her. No one has told him Alliason's condition.
It has been a terrible ordeal, but the family will pull through it. The important thing is that Steve will survive.
Everywhere his military outfit touched is 100% unburned! It really is flame retardent. He protected his eyes with his hands, so he has his eye lashes
and eye brows still! He thought to protect his neck by keeping his head tilted downward to keep it from burning. He thinks that saved his life.
The devastation in San Diego is horrific. I drove quite a bit of the area, going from Red Cross Centers and evacuation centers for errands. It was
heartbreaking to see so many people now homeless.
The reservation fared badly. Many homes were lost, only possibly 3 with insurance. Over 400 cars on just the San Pasqual Reservation burned. The San
Pasqual Fire Department felt terrible, they feel they didn't do enough. If anyone is a cookie baker, you could drop off some cookies to these heros
and tell them we do appreciate their hard work. I tried to tell them, but it fell on exhausted ears.
Well, that's all I can think of for now. Again, I appreciate all your prayers. I'm convinced that they likely pulled Steve through more quickly to
healing. (I'm not sure, but I guess he had some internal damages, possibly kidneys--don't have details yet).
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CARING.
Suzanne
[Edited on 11-3-2003 by BajaNomad]
[Edited on 11-4-2003 by GeoRock]
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Anonymous
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Big story in the SD Union Trib today. God bless her. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/mon/news/index....
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GeoRock
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Thanks for posting that link. See what I mean about conflicting stories? What happened that night is still being sorted out.
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Baja Bernie
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Georock,
I was with Steve in Iraq and I'll be here to help him in anyway I can. Our thoughts are with him for his survival as they were when he was over
there.
In Iraq it was simple, beef jerky and zip lock bags. Here it is more serious.
Skeet, as usual, hit it on the head---"Baja People Helping People." We are all here, together. I sit staring at this screen and wonder why! But no
matter we will do that which is needed to help this wonderful man.
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Bajabus
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please let us know if there is a place we can send cash to help.........
"Preventive war was an invention of Hitler. Frankly I would not even listen to anyone seriously that came and talked of such a thing."
Dwight David Eisenhower
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GeoRock
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Thank you all for such a touching outpour of caring and prayers. I am happy to report that Steve's first skin graph operation was quite successful,
they believe.
Several folks have contacted me requesting the info on how to contribute to Steve's financial burden that has been caused by the burning.
I don't know if it is appropriate to put the info in here or not, and hope I don't get blasted for it. But here it is, a trust fund set up by his
mother:
Washington Mutual FA
Trust Fund for Steven Lovett
150 North Center City Parkway
Escondido, CA 92025
Account # 3116701968
bank (760) 741-2001
Thanks to everyone for all your help. You are truly Baja buddies!
[Edited on 11-4-2003 by GeoRock]
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elgatoloco
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GeoRock
Thank you for posting the information on how to get assistance to your nephew thru this terrific challenge.
I think it is chickenchit that the navy is making him pay for the replacement of his uniforms. It's not like it was an irresponsible act, on his part,
that caused him to lose them!
Just my opinion
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Bajabus
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I get back to the states on the 13th, A check will be on it's way shortly thereafter.
EGL it's worse than chickenchit but I have been trying to stay calm lately so I am not going to rip into it
"Preventive war was an invention of Hitler. Frankly I would not even listen to anyone seriously that came and talked of such a thing."
Dwight David Eisenhower
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GeoRock
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Thanks guys!
I guess the one in charge of his unit tried to the Navy to replace them, but they refused. Surprised a lot of people.
But I'll say this. It's a good thing he was wearing them, or he would have been burnt far worst. That uniform likely saved his life by truly being
fire retardent.
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Bajabus
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I bet a coupla letters to the editors would change the Navy tune real fast.
"Preventive war was an invention of Hitler. Frankly I would not even listen to anyone seriously that came and talked of such a thing."
Dwight David Eisenhower
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Debra
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I live a spits throw from Bremerton....(Navy Town)
and the Hubby is the head dude on a large progect on the USS Lincoln (he knows the CO) I ask him to have a chat. And I think I just write myself a
letter to the editor of our Bremerton paper. THAT IS BS BIG-TIME, MAKE HIM PAY???????
Suzanne, I need more info. about Steve
Where is he assigned? What rank is he? Where exactly was he while in Iraq?
[Edited on 11-5-2003 by Debra]
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Stephanie Jackter
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Not to divert the topic, but....
I just saw a report on the news that most children's jammies are no longer fire retardant. Another set of laws that were changed so that producers
could make more money at the expense of consumers. Beware, unless you buy something with a tag that expressly says it is fire retardant, it is not.
and in the case of fire in your home, your child is at great risk.
Compliments to the Navy for helping to save his life with the well made uniform. It's still pretty rich that they want him to pay. Ironies abound in
this world. - Stephanie
When the goin' gets tough, the wierd turn pro
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Debra
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Steph
You bring up a good point about the jammies,,,, however, I remember when they first came out when my kids were little we were advised not to wash them
in detergent or the retardent would go down the drain with the dirt, (how many Moms dry-cleaned the kids jammies? Not I for sure, I wonder if things
have changed and there is now a way to keep the fabric fire retardent and clean? I can't imagine the United Forces sending out the uniforms for
dry-cleaning. Anybody know what advances have happened in the last 30yrs.?
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GeoRock
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Update on Steve:
He has had several skin graph operations, all appear successful.
ARNOLD SWARZENEGGER visited Steve, but sadly he was asleep as he had just come out of surgery. He did leave him an autographed picture. I sure wish
I had been there!!!!
Some high ranking Navy official visited him, don't know who it was.
Rumor has it that some co-workers are either trying to get the Navy to pay for his uniforms, or they are raising funds to help him get new ones.
Don't know which, details sketchy right now. His mom is so traumatized that she doesn't always 'hear' what visitors tell her.
Can't believe I missed Arnie. Darn!
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Bajabus
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I just wanted to bump this thread to the forefront so we dont forget to help this guy out. I mailed my check for $50 in today and I urge everyone to
send in something. Every little bit helps, even just a dollar.
Here is the address so you don't have to go searching:
Washington Mutual FA
Trust Fund for Steven Lovett
150 North Center City Parkway
Escondido, CA 92025
Account # 3116701968
bank (760) 741-2001
If we ever find ourselves or a loved one in trouble lets hope someone like steve is close by.
"Preventive war was an invention of Hitler. Frankly I would not even listen to anyone seriously that came and talked of such a thing."
Dwight David Eisenhower
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Anonymous
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Got a PayPal address set up for this fine gentleman yet?
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