WWII Vet's home burglarized in Anderson, loses everything

ANDERSON, Calif. — A WWII Veteran living in Anderson came home to a house completely empty. The home had been burglarized while his wife was recovering from a stroke in the hospital.

George Hunter flew on a B-17 bomber in the World War II.

"I worked on a B-17. The fourteenth Air Force in the Phillipines," Hunter said. "I was a personal friend of General Douglas MacArthur. He would land his plane, and the first question he would ask is 'Where's George?'"

After the war, George married a woman named Fern and they have been married now for 65 years. They have lived all over the country and been very happy together.

Recently, Fern fell in their Anderson home.

"I couldn't find her," said George" Then, I went in her room and she was on the floor."

Fern had a stroke. She was taken to Sacramento for medical treatment and to be closer to family while she recovered.

When the Hunter's returned home, their house was empty.

"The place was pretty well stripped out," said neighbor and fellow veteran Jeff Nelson. "The bed frames were still there but the sheets, pillow cases, towels, everything else was gone."

"Our dishes were gone, our utensils were gone, our shoes, everything," said Fern.

Everything, including George's war metals and a plaque given to him by General MacArthur.

It didn't take long, however, for veterans from around the Northstate to start pitching in.

"We'll always look out special for another veteran," Nelson said.

Nelson began making calls. AMVets, VFW, Homeward Bound, The Veterans Museum, and more came together to replace appliances, furniture, and anything else the home was missing.

Medicine for our Military stepped in to build the Hunter's a ramp on their home. Because of Fern's stroke, she is now in a wheelchair.

Blue Mobley said Medicine for our Military focuses on helping veterans in all aspects. Many of the volunteers serving are veterans themselves.

"There's an unseen camaraderie that's already there," Mobley said. "A veteran in need, I put the word out and there's a line of veterans that will come up and say 'what can I do?'"

Payless Building Supply donated the lumber to make the ramp happen.

Mobley said they get requests everyday from veterans needing help and more volunteers are needed.

For the Hunter's, they are happy to be home and grateful for all the support.

"This is going to be home, this is our home. We are going to make the best of it," The Hunter's said.

If you would like to volunteer with Medicine for our Military or are a veteran in need call (530) 736-1422.

The Anderson Police Department is still investigating the burglary. If you have any information about the case call Shascom at (530) 245-6526.