A Soldier's Mission

A tale from the USO lounge

"I'm sorry son, but your mother died."

What?

WHAT!?!

The young soldier, at first, didn’t understand what his commanding officer was saying to him.

His mother died?!? When?!?

How?!?!? While he was over HERE?!?!

The CO’s voice faded into the background. An unintelligible noise. Sort of like Charlie Brown’s teacher ... only not as funny.

His mother died?

He has to get home! HE HAS TO GET HOME!!!!

The young soldier jerks his head back up, looking at his CO. "...... 're doing everything we can to get you back in time for her funeral. It’s going to be close. Pack your kit and report back to Gunny. I’m working on your transport now"

The young soldier, packed and dazed, catches the Blackhawk taxi to the desert airport, the first step in the long march home. Over the ocean the thought occurs to him that the last hug his mother gave him was supposed to last a year, not a lifetime.

The longer into the flight, the longer it took to get back to the States.

The young soldier lands at BWI airport, late at night. Exhausted, with no money and needing transportation from Baltimore to his home in New Jersey. He turns to the USO, as so many before him have done for so many years through too many wars. He enters the lounge and introduces himself to the volunteer on duty. Home on emergency leave, mother passed away, need to get to New Jersey tonight for the funeral tomorrow. No money. What can we do?

That USO volunteer.

An incredible person. I don’t know the name of the volunteer. I don’t even know the gender. All I do know is that this volunteer is way smarter than I.

Way smarter.

No money, late at night. What can be done?

This smart USO volunteer tells the young soldier to sit down and have some bottled water. The volunteer is working on an idea and will be right back.

The volunteer walks over to the office for the Maryland State Police. The State Police provide security for the airport. Most of these humorless boys are veterans of the military. Maybe they can help.

And they do.

Once the story is told, probably retold and finally understood the State boys go into action. Phone calls are made, plans are formed.

The State Police, and I mean the State Police from Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey all understand the mission. They run shuttles from state line to state line. Like a great car chase, only at legal speeds and with quiet determination. An introduction to the new chauffer, a firm handshake to the departing chauffer, and on up the road.

State by state by state by state.

Everyone understands the mission initiated by this smart USO volunteer.

The young soldier completes his mission, arriving home in the early morning hour. In time to hug his mother’s casket before they put her in the ground.

This march was not about war, but rather remembrance.

With the help of a smart USO volunteer the soldier completed his mission.

Now it’s time for you to complete yours. The next time you are walking through an airport and spot a USO lounge, forgo that expensive pre-flight airport beer. Skip that fancy cup of coffee. Just walk into that lounge and drop five bucks into the kitty.

Five bucks for the troop who would rather be waxing his car, or courting his girlfriend, or hugging her baby, or going on a date with her husband or playing with his grandkids instead of protecting them.

Five bucks.

Make it your mission.

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