THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Monday, January 13, 1997              TAG: 9701110007
SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A8   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                            LENGTH:   26 lines

FIRE HAS UNITED NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS

We were involved in the Latitudes fire on Dec. 29, 1996. We came home from vacation to a burned building instead of a home, with mostly everything we treasured destroyed. Because of many people, we were able to start our new life with hope of a great future.

We would like to thank the management personnel at the Latitudes, all the local vendors for their donations of food and other supplies, the Navy for all its support and all the firefighters for their help.

We also want to thank all the wonderful people who donated clothes and other items, the people who stood by us and showed their support, and our new neighbors for their help.

We would also like to thank the American Red Cross, and most of all God, for watching over us and giving us the strength to make it through this one day at a time.

This fire has brought out the true goodness of all people. Even though everybody has lost so much, the fire has brought us all much closer together.

Mr. and Mrs. JAMES WAMBOLD

Virginia Beach, Jan. 6, 1997