Stephen King and the Army

Sunday, December 13, 2009
AP

BANGOR, Maine — "Author Stephen King and his wife are donating money so 150 soldiers from the Maine Army National Guard can come home for the holidays.
King and his wife, Tabitha, who live in Bangor, are paying $13,000 toward the cost of two bus trips so that members of the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Unit can travel from Camp Atterbury in Indiana to Maine for Christmas. The soldiers left Maine last week for training at Camp Atterbury. They are scheduled to depart for Afghanistan in January.
Julie Eugley, one of King's personal assistants, told the Bangor Daily News that the Kings were approached about giving $13,000.
But Stephen King thought the number 13 was a bit unlucky, so the couple pitched in $12,999 instead. Eugley chipped in $1 to make for an even $13,000."

Finally, Hollywierd is stepping up to bring home the troops... Well, bus home some of the troops after training, but before they deploy. I do find it odd that a uber rich fella like King only put up $12,999. If 13 is an unlucky number why not put up $15,000? Hell why stop there? He's rich; why not $15,000,000.00? Those 150 "troops" were most likely stupid kids that were coerced into signing up because they just couldn't read anyway. I mean, well, lets let Stevie's quote speak for itself:

"I don't want to sound like an ad, a public service ad on TV, but the fact is if you can read, you can walk into a job later on. If you don't, then you've got, the Army, Iraq, I don't know, something like that. It's, it's not as bright. So, that's my little commercial for that."

Well said Stephen, well said... Thank God I learned to read! Sky's the limit!

All kidding aside this is a nice gesture around Christmas. Bravo Stephen!