QUINCY — Alexander and Raisa Moskalets exemplify the American dream. As Ukrainian immigrants the couple worked hard to provide a better life for their children and leave behind a long lasting legacy. Their rural Quincy home was supposed to be the place where they could settle down and enjoy their twilight years. Those plans were ripped apart last week when the Moskalets' Quincy home was completely destroyed by the Monument Hill Fire.

“Absolutely everything is gone. There is not even a piece of paper,” said the Moskalets’ daughter, Luci. “They are absolutely traumatized. They have had to start over several times in their lives already.”

Raisa and Alexander came to America from Ukraine in 1991 in their 40s with nine kids in tow, hoping to better their situation and capitalize on the American dream. The Moskalets found their initial home in Ohio, where they lived for eight years until the weather conditions in the Buckeye State became too much to bear.

“Once they heard about Washington state they fell in love and they found land. Without even visiting there they bought 20 acres in Quincy. Full of hope and excitement we moved over there (to Quincy) and started from scratch,” Luci explained.

That hope, excitement and contentment at their Road J.8 Northwest home continued for over a decade. The Monument Hill Fire, which broke out Wednesday night, and devastated their home caused the family to completely start over from scratch. With their past experience of starting over upon their move to U.S. in their 40s, Luci says the last thing her parents expected was to have to start over again in their 60s.

“They just aren’t the type of people to ask for help, but are the type of people who have no problem helping people who are in need,” Luci stated.

A GoFundMe page was set up to help Alex and Raisa with living expenses and to help buy the bare necessities for the next steps in their lives. To donate, please visit www.gofundme.com/raisa-alex-moskalets-fire-relief. A benevolent account was also set up at Washington Trust Bank under “Raisa and Alex Moskalets Fire Relief Fund.”

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.