Navy Veteran’s home destroyed in fire

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Charlotte veteran in crisis is getting much needed help from local organizations.

Navy Veteran Michael Ackermann was living in a South Charlotte home until a trash pile he was burning in his yard went wrong.

“I was woken up by my neighbors next door,” Ackermann said. “They were banging on my door and said, fire, fire, fire. You gotta get out.”

The August 30th fire destroyed his essentials leaving him out of a home with his three dogs. He says help from government agencies has been slow.

“Here I am spending six to eight hours a day on the phone with all these people trying to get my life back together again. It’s very hard.,” Ackermann said. “Sometimes I just can’t hold it together it’s so much stress.”

Fostoria Pierson is the President of Blue Star Mothers of North Carolina. She met Ackermann at the veterans affairs office in Charlotte.

“He was just sitting in his chair and he was crying,” Pierson said. “Kim introduced him to me because we supplied furniture, food, whatever veterans need and he had a time of need.”

Pierson connected Ackermann with US Veterans Hall of Fame. The organization sponsored a shopping spree for Ackermann. Pierson also advocated on his behalf so his service dog never leaves his side at the hotel.

“We take care of our own. Because sometimes you find patriotic people in their communities and businesses say they support veterans. Some of them do not, but there are some good ones out there,” Pierson said.

While Ackermann waits for insurance to rebuild his home, he plans to move to a temporary apartment. He expects a long road ahead and he’s grateful for the community help.

“Here I am, just in dire straits. I mean, the money is not really important to me right now. I’m just trying to get my life back together again, you know?,” Ackermann said.

For more information on Blue Star Mothers click here.

For more information on US Veterans Hall of Fame click here.