Act of Generosity

[PET-Shot]

Author Stephen King to Pay for Troops' Holiday Trip Home

Sunday, December 13, 2009

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.

Here's to you Mr. King.

[StoleIt]

Wow, way to go Mr. King!!!

Anyone else think 13k for two buses is a bit steep though? 1,200 miles doesn't seem that bad either.

[magnetfreezer]

Wow, way to go Mr. King!!!

Anyone else think 13k for two buses is a bit steep though? 1,200 miles doesn't seem that bad either.

2 bus trips - Quick googling gives 47-57 pax/motorcoach so assume 3 buses x 2 ways (back to atterbury) x 1200 miles = 7200 bus*miles = $1.80/3 buses/mile = 0.60/mile which is in the ballpark of truck driver type pay.

[StoleIt]

Oh wow, misread that.