Fellow veterans have reached out to help Robert Jensen, whose Great Bend home sustained an estimated $50,000 in fire damage on Feb. 3. Firefighters were dispatched to 812 Stone St. at 10:15 p.m. that night. The first crew on the scene reported heavy fire and smoke from a window, Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said after the fire.

"The bulk of the fire was quickly knocked down; however, the house had a large amount of belongings throughout the structure making it difficult to totally extinguish the fire." No one was hurt, but several dogs in the house died. At last report the cause of the fire had not been determined.

Jensen is a U.S. Navy veteran, and last week he received a check from fellow vets to assist with cleanup. Donations were from the American Legion Post 180 and its auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 180, Post 180 Legion Riders, Seventh District Commander Clark Conoway and Meyeres Exteriors in Bazine. The check was presented by Argonne Post Service Officer Miles Kennedy.