Columbia woman pleads for her son’s military uniform back after accidentally donating it
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Editor's Note: This article has been updated for a source error about time served in Afghanistan.
This Memorial Day a Columbia woman is asking for the return of her son's military uniform.
"My son's Class A uniform was accidentally donated, and I'm pleading with Columbia to help me get that back for my son,” said Tammie Thomas, the mother asking for the community’s help.
Thomas' son, Cory Lake, served in the military for three and a half years and was deployed in Afghanistan from 2008-09. He was honorably discharged in 2009, according to Thomas. He has since worked as a foreman.
Thomas on Wednesday donated items to The Salvation Army on Walnut Street, not knowing the uniform had gotten mixed into her donation.
A user on Facebook, Amy Hensley, told ABC 17 News online that they saw the uniform for sale behind the counter on Thursday.
By Friday, Thomas realized what had happened and called the store. But, the uniform was already gone.
Marlo Vansickle is a Vietnam War veteran who lost his Class A Army uniform. He said he understands what Thomas is going through.
"You know it's something that you cherish," Vansickle said. "I know I cherished mine. But when you lose something, you can never get it back."
But Thomas continues to hold out hope that her son’s uniform will find its way home.
"This is something that means a lot to him, to me, our family, and it should be returned. That would be nice," Thomas said.
ABC 17 News spoke to the manager at The Salvation Army Walnut Street location. She said they want to help in any way they can to find the misplaced uniform.
