Vet Pleading For Return Of Stolen Trailer That Contained Precious Keepsakes
AUBURN (CBS13) - A Vietnam War veteran in Auburn is heartbroken after thieves stole his trailer containing a lifetime of precious memories.
"That's why this theft here is killing her all over again," said Curtis Campbell.
It's the second time a trailer has been stolen in Auburn this month, but this one is taking over one widower's life. The trailer was stolen from Curtis Campbell's front yard. He says he moved here for peace of mind and to get away from big-city problems, but he let his guard down.
"I went to that breakfast place you like," said Campbell, reading from a letter he wrote his late wife Judy.
He still writes to Judi every day, telling her about his day.
"It's like she's alive," he says.
Keeping his beloveds' memory alive has been his mission since he lost her to a rare form of blood cancer two years ago. But this week thieves stole a storage trailer containing almost 50 years' worth of precious memories.
"She died a horrible death and that's why this theft here is killing her all over again," he said.
From Judi's sacred bridal gown, to everything she collected every day after that special day, it's all gone.
"Just everything I could find that I knew she wanted the kids to have because she saved it. She saved stuff. She saved the birth bracelets they put on a little baby when it's born for both our kids," said Campbell.
Judi also saved her husband's military documents since the Vietnam War and later sowed his badges to a classic jean jacket. That too was in the trailer.
Just two weeks ago, thieves stole a catering truck from an Auburn restaurant up the street. It was a $60,000 blow there.
But for Campbell, it's not about the money.
"It breaks my heart that the kids -- daughter and grandkids -- aren't going to get this stuff," he said. "If only the thieves would return it. I don't care what they do with the trailer, but I would sure like that stuff back. No questions asked."
It's a desperate plea from a heartbroken widower trying to hold on to what he has left.
The CHP is handling the investigation. It's still unclear if they have any leads of finding his trailer or the trailer stolen a couple weeks ago.
