SOMERSWORTH — A veteran whose home was nearly destroyed by fire, received a very meaningful gift Wednesday because someone asked the right question.
Willie Little lost his three dogs in a fire on Oct. 9, 2015. The two-alarm blaze nearly destroyed his home and all of his possessions.
Members of the 1-800-BoardUp team that came to the scene that day learned that Little was a veteran and called on New Hampshire Vet to Vet for help.
Ken Stanley, of NH Vet to Vet, is also an outreach specialist for “Ask the Question,” an initiative of the Department of Health and Human Services to help veterans get the services they need.
Stanley said the program urges emergency responders, medical personnel, and human services professionals on intake to ask, “Have you or a family member ever served in the military?”
According to Stanley, that one question can open the door to much-needed services.
In Little’s case, it led to an emotional reunion with a fellow unit member from his time in Iraq and replacement items for those lost in the fire.
Dennis Cote and John Cunningham of 1-800-BoardUp asked Little if he was a veteran, then contacted Stanley. At the time they had no idea that Stanley and Little had served together.
Please see the full article on Fosters.com: http://www.fosters.com/news/20160601/veterans-military-mementos-replaced-after-fire