MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT PARRIS ISLAND -- Military policemen helped a local family clean out their home after it was damaged by a fire aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, July 27.
The military policemen of the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort’s Provost Marshal’s Office provided assistance by removing destroyed furniture, appliances, and personal possessions from the Yon family’s house aboard Parris Island.
“Whenever we found out someone needed help we jumped right up, “said Lance Cpl. Alfonso Quevedo, a Military Policeman with Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Provost Marshal’s Office.” The base is really close-knit and we always try to be there for one another, because we’re Marines and that is what we do.”
Three weeks ago there was a kitchen fire that caused fire and smoke damage to the family home. Benson Yon, the home owner, was making lunch when an accident with hot oil quickly spread flames around the kitchen. Yon seeing the flames quickly evacuated the premises with his 1-year old son JT. No one was hurt in the blaze.
“We responded to the structure fire and the house was clearly uninhabitable,” said Captain Denver Edick, the Deputy Provost Marshal of the PMO. “We first got the family out and then were able to save their pets.”
After getting everyone to safety and surveying the damage Edick offered his help in any way possible, which the family accepted. 12 Military Policemen volunteered to help Edick assist the family in taking out furniture and cleaning up other various debris.
“They have helped out our family tremendously; I don’t think we could have done all this without their help.” Said Yon. “We’re ready to get settled back into our own home, we will just have to slowly readjust and take it one step at a time.”
The family has been staying with friends from their church since the fire and is waiting until they can move into their new house.
“It was just one of those accidents that can happen at any time,” Said Edick “ I want the community to know that this is just a part of what we do ensuring that every Marine and teir family is fit to fight and taken care of.”