Days After Sandy, NJ Community Comes Together For Army Veteran
By Robin Rieger
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBS) - Heavy equipment moved piles of debris that line the streets on Mystic Island in little Egg Harbor Township. The normally scenic drive through this bay front community is anything but as you drive down the streets.
Dan McCracken is adding to the piles. The lagoon bungalow he rents had over two feet of water inside.
"You can see it's already molding up, can't live in this," McCracken said.
The army veteran served two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. In the middle of trying to salvage his belongings, including his daughters pictures and flags flown overseas, he was holding back his emotions.
"Sometimes I actually think this is worse than when I was overseas," he said. "I lost everything... two bedrooms, living room set, dishes, appliances," he said.
He says his $10,000 insurance policy won't cover what is trashed.
Hurricane Sandy added to McCracken's sadness. His father died in Florida and his body was flown here for the services. They were postponed by Sandy, until his community stepped in.
"This town went out of their way to throw a funeral for him and have a viewing at the church when everything was down. So it gave us peace and my mom peace," he said.
Underscoring that when your life is turned upside down, people are your treasures.
Related Links:
http://www.njamericanlegion.org/
