Some local Veterans left homeless by a fatal fire in Danville last week will soon be back in another house. A homecoming is slated for Thursday afternoon in the Rabbittown area on Danville’s southeast side.
Rob Moreman, a co-owner of the home that burned at 300 Park Street, has agreed to allow the Veterans to move into another home he owns right across the street. Moreman says he got the idea the day of the tragic blaze. ‘’A gentleman by the name of ‘Mowhawk’ met me on the scene of the fire. And he started talking to me about him being an advocate for Veterans. I told him my situation, the men being homeless at this point. And so we decided to get everybody together as quickly as possible and get the house over at 305 (Park Street) together,’’ said Moreman during an interview with VermilionCountyFirst.com News.
But the home at 305 Park Street had some major repairs that were necessary, including fixing water pipes. Numerous volunteers, including an Aqua Illinois Water crew, showed up at the house to get it ready for the men to return to their old neighborhood. Many local businesses also donated to the cause. And Thursday afternoon, Danville Police and Firefighters and members of the Illinois Patriot Guard – along with others — plan to escort the Veterans to their new home.
[In the photo, Rob Moreman – on left – and ‘Mowhawk Man’ work on preparing the yard for the big day on Thursday. They moved the flagpole from the scene where the tragedy occurred across the street and equipped it with a brand new American Flag Wednesday.]
Meanwhile, Moreman says it is unknown what will happen with the large residence where the fire occurred. ‘’We have the big house. It’s been in this community – the Rabbittown area – since before 1958. It’s been serving the Veterans. This neighborhood was really sad – a lot of people were in tears. They would like to see this house refurbished. I don’t have a lot of money to do things like that,’’ said Moreman. ‘’At this point we don’t know what we’re going to do with this house. If the people would be able to come together – (and) do anything to try to keep this for the Veterans – I would be willing to donate the property to Veterans for as long as it would stand.’’
Moreman adds anyone who would like to help welcome the three Veterans to their new home should line the area around the 300 block of Park Street between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. Thursday (February 9th). [Note: You can click on the photos to enlarge them.]
