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Stephen King to pay for troops' holiday trip home

Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:46 AM EST

us-news, us, people, troops, king, stephen-king, author-stephen-king

FILE - In this Feb. 9, 2009 file photo, author Stephen King reads from his latest book "Ur" at a news conference in New York. King and his wife are donating money so 150 Maine Army National Guard soldiers 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, Ind., to Maine for Christmas. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

BANGOR — 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.

___

Information from: Bangor Daily News, http://www.bangornews.com

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Regions: United States , Bangor

Public Discussion (62)

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{"commentId":11180787,"authorDomain":"Rmythos"}

DirtyRelic

Good man, good man, kudos for that.

{"commentId":11180787,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"Rmythos"}

16 votes

#1 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:22 AM EST

{"commentId":11184799,"authorDomain":"ungerbn"}

Brandon-801865

Why don't we just bring them all home?

But, yes, kudos to King.

{"commentId":11184799,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"ungerbn"}

7 votes

#1.1 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:26 PM EST

{"commentId":11189293,"authorDomain":"alaskalady"}

alaskalady

Way to go! I think many people in this country would do extraordinary things for our troops if approached!

{"commentId":11189293,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"alaskalady"}

4 votes

#1.2 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:19 PM EST

{"commentId":11194304,"authorDomain":"leathernlacekitten"}

Freedom Writer-801740

I always liked his books, now i have even more respect for him.

{"commentId":11194304,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"leathernlacekitten"}

5 votes

#1.3 - Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:39 AM EST

{"commentId":11180798,"authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

lauhal

Props to Mr. & Mrs. King. Very cool thing to do.

{"commentId":11180798,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

15 votes

#2 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:23 AM EST

{"commentId":11180849,"authorDomain":"dguaglardi"}

carolg

Kudos to the Kings....

Thanks for all the scary stories, too! Love em'.

{"commentId":11180849,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"dguaglardi"}

12 votes

#3 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:28 AM EST

{"commentId":11180863,"authorDomain":"sgsteitler"}

jbird

Dude is looking old these days. Having such creative nightmares in your head 24/7 for writing books, will do that to a man! Still he is known for having a heart of gold inspite of creepy Poe style thought inclinations. Hell, even I have a collection book of Poe's best works. Kudos to Mr King for helping the troops!

{"commentId":11180863,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"sgsteitler"}

12 votes

#4 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:30 AM EST

{"commentId":11181089,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}

gecko85

I'm pretty sure it was the years of alcoholism and substance abuse that did that to the man. Kudos to him for beating his personal demons, and for helping the troops!

{"commentId":11181089,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"tcervo"}

7 votes

#4.1 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:48 AM EST

{"commentId":11182677,"authorDomain":"ghall1950"}

G. H.

I think it is moreso from being injured so severely when he was hit by the vehicle when he was out walking a couple years ago. What a great ,kind action to take. A very Merry Christmas to Mr. and Mrs. King, and the troops they are helping. Awesome! :-)

{"commentId":11182677,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"ghall1950"}

10 votes

#4.2 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 12:40 PM EST

{"commentId":11183828,"authorDomain":"spikegary"}

Spikegary

gecko-what a douche thing to say-glad to see people making things up. Envy sucks doesn't it? Class shows-so does the lack of it.

{"commentId":11183828,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"spikegary"}

7 votes

#4.3 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 2:07 PM EST

{"commentId":11184103,"authorDomain":"repoman"}

Repoman-1208817

This is a nice thing he is doing. He could ahve done nothing instead he chooses to give of his own free will to help someone else. That is nice.

As for the comments about his looks; he is 62, I really hope I look this well at 62.

{"commentId":11184103,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"repoman"}

10 votes

#4.4 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 2:28 PM EST

{"commentId":11184206,"authorDomain":"ajpresto"}

ajpresto

A previous comment mentioned that somebody must have been jealous of Mr. King because they commented about his alcohol and drug use. As referenced in Wikipedia and as referenced in his book On Writing, Mr. King did use a number of drugs and alcohol.

This may or may not be why he looks the way he does (I personally think that it was due to the car accident) but it is at least factually true.

{"commentId":11184206,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"ajpresto"}

3 votes

#4.5 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 2:36 PM EST

{"commentId":11186427,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}

gecko85

spikegary - Sorry, but you're the one being the douche. Perhaps you didn't see the part where I said:

Kudos to him for beating his personal demons

King has a very well document history of drug and alcohol abuse. Many, many years. That takes its toll on a person's body. I give him HUGE props for finally beating his demons.

So, instead of being so quick to judge, you should try to know what the hell you're talking about.

{"commentId":11186427,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"tcervo"}

3 votes

#4.6 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 5:57 PM EST

{"commentId":11189255,"authorDomain":"sorrelen"}

sorrelen

I just read the book "Stephen King on Writing" and he does talk about his many years of alcohol and substance abuse. He doesn't even remember writing Cujo due to it according to what he wrote.

Props for him and his wife for that though...

{"commentId":11189255,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"sorrelen"}

2 votes

#4.7 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:16 PM EST

{"commentId":11191155,"authorDomain":"damamma"}

daMamma

gecko is right, years ago Steven King did have a serious drinking problem. I don't know about substance abuse, but I do know about the alcohol. King has talked about it numerous times in interviews. He was just on The Hour the other evening and mentioned it then too.

I will second gecko in giving King kudos for beating those personal demons. They can be wicked hard to beat, some folks have to lose everything before they even notice the problem.

Twisted imagination, but a really good hearted guy. What a sweet thing to do for Maine's Guard.

{"commentId":11191155,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"damamma"}

4 votes

#4.8 - Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:54 AM EST

{"commentId":11180924,"authorDomain":"KateInGreensboro"}

Kate In Greensboro

That's what fame and fortune are for - way to go, Mr. King. And thanks for the nightmares.

{"commentId":11180924,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"KateInGreensboro"}

10 votes

#5 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:34 AM EST

{"commentId":11180943,"authorDomain":"Leafydebater"}

Leafydebater

Nice guy :)

{"commentId":11180943,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"Leafydebater"}

7 votes

#6 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:36 AM EST

{"commentId":11181226,"authorDomain":"monkeyonatypewriter"}

monkeyonatypewriter

he and his wife tabitha donate lots of money for many causes. thanks mr King for helping some of my bros come home for the holidays

{"commentId":11181226,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"monkeyonatypewriter"}

7 votes

#7 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:59 AM EST

{"commentId":11181242,"authorDomain":"alexcroley"}

Alex, Lou KY

That is wonderful to here, though also amusing because of the superstition of unlucky 13.

{"commentId":11181242,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"alexcroley"}

6 votes

#8 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:59 AM EST

{"commentId":11181695,"authorDomain":"MrChollyHudnall"}

Mr.ChollyHudnall

Thank you Mr.King. I am your NUMBER ONE FAN !!!!!! and have read everything you've written. This raises your stock in my book. Under the Dome is great also.

{"commentId":11181695,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"MrChollyHudnall"}

8 votes

#9 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:33 AM EST

{"commentId":11181807,"authorDomain":"sgsteitler"}

jbird

The Mist was my favorite short, turned B movie.

{"commentId":11181807,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"sgsteitler"}

7 votes

#9.1 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:43 AM EST

{"commentId":11181840,"authorDomain":"MrChollyHudnall"}

Mr.ChollyHudnall

THE STAND was and still is my favorite book. It's like a bible. IMO that's the best book he's every written IMO.

{"commentId":11181840,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"MrChollyHudnall"}

8 votes

#9.2 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:45 AM EST

{"commentId":11182071,"authorDomain":"sgsteitler"}

jbird

Yep, The Stand was great as one of his full length books. But to think that a short story could give me nightmares-incredible!

{"commentId":11182071,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"sgsteitler"}

5 votes

#9.3 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 12:02 PM EST

{"commentId":11182261,"authorDomain":"MrChollyHudnall"}

Mr.ChollyHudnall

And that's what's great about him as a writer. He makes things so real. When he wrote CHRISTINE it may me think do some thing we use daily have minds of there own.I never read the work of any other writer work that captures me as Stephen King writing does.

{"commentId":11182261,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"MrChollyHudnall"}

6 votes

#9.4 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 12:14 PM EST

{"commentId":11188670,"authorDomain":"alacount"}

mtpromises

I like his Dark Tower series the best. All that battle between good and evil.....the gunslinger is an awesome character. I also just read Duma Key and it's fascinating. He writes like people talk, so, as a constant reader, you feel as if you know the man, somewhat....

I think bringing the troops home on his nickel was a 'gunslinger' kind of thing to do, ayah?

{"commentId":11188670,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"alacount"}

4 votes

#9.5 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:26 PM EST

{"commentId":11189187,"authorDomain":"MrChollyHudnall"}

Mr.ChollyHudnall

gunslinger' kind of thing to do, ayah?

Ayah I agree with you. Spot on!

{"commentId":11189187,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"MrChollyHudnall"}

4 votes

#9.6 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:10 PM EST

{"commentId":11189963,"authorDomain":"lvmom"}

LV Mom

Firestarter was the 1st King book I ever read and since then I have collected every book he has ever written. My favorite is The Stand, but my husband likes the Dark Tower series. I was going through my books about a month ago and started re-reading the ones he wrote as Bachmann. Great books by a great man.

Thank you, Mr King, for thinking of our troops during the holidays. Now if only we could get them all home for good.

{"commentId":11189963,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"lvmom"}

5 votes

#9.7 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:28 PM EST

{"commentId":11191947,"authorDomain":"melrosefaulkner"}

Lissa Rose

Firestarter was the first movie based on a book by Stephen King I ever saw (before I started reading his works. I was probably like 9 when I saw it. LOL) The Stand has been my favorite for a long, long time, but I love almost all of his works.

This gesture is very sweet of him and his wife and secretary. (LOL Superstitous!) I know those soldiers are very excited to go home for a little while.

{"commentId":11191947,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"melrosefaulkner"}

5 votes

#9.8 - Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:52 AM EST

{"commentId":11202574,"authorDomain":"trentroy-1"}

rtg-

I've read all his books, The Stand is the best of all, but I'm not really into the Dark Tower series, but I did read the first couple.

He writes so well because he makes his characters real, which requires empathy. I'd say this just goes to show he has a lot of empathy.

{"commentId":11202574,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"trentroy-1"}

3 votes

#9.9 - Mon Dec 14, 2009 4:41 PM EST

{"commentId":11181865,"authorDomain":"susibv"}

GoldenGateMami_Susi

Fantastic!

Bravo to Stephen & Tabitha King.

A priceless gift.

{"commentId":11181865,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"susibv"}

6 votes

#10 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:47 AM EST

{"commentId":11184635,"authorDomain":"1thought"}

Theresa N

Right on Golden Gate Mami, well said.

And PS I don't care how he looks, it's inside what counts.

{"commentId":11184635,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"1thought"}

2 votes

#10.1 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:13 PM EST

{"commentId":11182429,"authorDomain":"USA1Camaro"}

USA 1-1003451

Good for Mr. King! I know soldiers who are also at Camp Atterbury.

I'm sure that the soldiers heading to Maine and their families are grateful.

{"commentId":11182429,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"USA1Camaro"}

4 votes

#11 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 12:24 PM EST

{"commentId":11182449,"authorDomain":"robynlewis04"}

robynlewisTX.

What a class act! I love all of King's books, especially Nightmares and Dreamscapes.

{"commentId":11182449,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"robynlewis04"}

5 votes

#12 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 12:26 PM EST

{"commentId":11182738,"authorDomain":"ghall1950"}

G. H.

I loved the Gunslinger Series. BRRRR! :-)

{"commentId":11182738,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"ghall1950"}

5 votes

#13 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 12:44 PM EST

{"commentId":11183276,"authorDomain":"davebroom"}

Dave Broom

Shawshank Redemption- non typical King style but the best.. Also thanks for thinking about the troops who face the real nightmares...

{"commentId":11183276,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"davebroom"}

8 votes

#14 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 1:27 PM EST

{"commentId":11183417,"authorDomain":"caroaber"}

caroaber

Comment collapsed by the community

{"commentId":11183490,"authorDomain":"dbv5039"}

Dave-661352

Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. King.

{"commentId":11183490,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"dbv5039"}

6 votes

#16 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 1:42 PM EST

{"commentId":11183876,"authorDomain":"rainkiss"}

Rainkiss

UR (yes, that's a Kindle he's reading it on, it's the only way it's available, I believe) was great. Awesome thing he's doing for the troops.

{"commentId":11183876,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"rainkiss"}

6 votes

#17 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 2:11 PM EST

{"commentId":11183877,"authorDomain":"spikegary"}

Spikegary

Clipped to various military and veterans groups. Good stuff. These are people that think about others, not just enriching themselves-nice to see and hear after all the other celebrity stupidity we are exposed to on a daily basis.

{"commentId":11183877,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"spikegary"}

5 votes

#18 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 2:11 PM EST

{"commentId":11184632,"authorDomain":"Mosephus"}

Mosephus

I'm not a fan of his writing. I'm a huge fan of him personally. Well done Mr. King.

{"commentId":11184632,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"Mosephus"}

5 votes

#19 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:12 PM EST

{"commentId":11184650,"authorDomain":"2tailpuppy"}

2TailPuppy

Comment collapsed by the community

So little to get your name in the paper these days.

{"commentId":11184650,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"2tailpuppy"}

1 vote

#20 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:14 PM EST

{"commentId":11192187,"authorDomain":"mdmadden"}

Mike-584822

2TailPuppy why don't you sponsor some soldiers a trip home?

{"commentId":11192187,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"mdmadden"}

1 vote

#20.1 - Mon Dec 14, 2009 7:43 AM EST

{"commentId":11194780,"authorDomain":"2tailpuppy"}

2TailPuppy

>2TailPuppy why don't you sponsor some soldiers a trip home?

Because I was in the Vietnam war, 13 months with 1st Marines in I-Corp.

During that era I learned something about politics and patriotism. There is something about wars that politicians can't resist. I don't know what it is but they all seem to love wars regardless of what they say. Even Thomas Jefferson had to get us in a war. And then the politicians use patriotism for their self serving agenda.

"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel."
-Samuel Johnson

So I think a real patriot makes it so distasteful for the country that the politicians think once, twice and three times before getting us involved. And that starts with not giving the military respect…kind of like during Vietnam. It there is no status and little rewards for being in the military it will be very difficult to raise a military.

Eisenhower said to beware of the Military Industrial Complex.

And don't tell me about national defense. We have nuclear weapons and I would use them to save our youth.

I am a patriot and that's how I see myself as performing my patriotic duty to my county.

{"commentId":11194780,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"2tailpuppy"}

1 vote

#20.2 - Mon Dec 14, 2009 11:07 AM EST

{"commentId":11194913,"authorDomain":"rainkiss"}

Rainkiss

Sad that a veteran (or someone claiming to be one) would think so little about a man giving so much to make sure 150 guys who may not make it home after they leave in January can GET home for the holidays.

{"commentId":11194913,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"rainkiss"}

1 vote

#20.3 - Mon Dec 14, 2009 11:15 AM EST

{"commentId":11184736,"authorDomain":"belindajoy"}

BelindaJoy

Stephen King has always been one of my favorite people. Not just because of his books and screenplays, but because of who he is to the core. Everything I have ever read and heard of he and his wife only substantiates how loving and genuine they are.

For so many who acquire wealth and success, it distorts their morals, values and beliefs. Few attain his level of success and come out on the other end unscathed. Yet somehow he did. Kudos Stephen for being generous.

{"commentId":11184736,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"belindajoy"}

6 votes

#21 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:20 PM EST

{"commentId":11184828,"authorDomain":"luminator"}

Luminator

Maybe he'll write a book about it, he seems to pump one out every 5 minutes lol.

Seriously though, great thing for the King family to do, great people, fantastic author, thanks for bringing the troops home for the holidays.

{"commentId":11184828,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"luminator"}

3 votes

#22 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:29 PM EST

{"commentId":11185257,"authorDomain":"akber-kassam"}

Akber A. Kassam.

Many thaks to steven king and his wIfe for doing this kindest job. may god bless you both and your family. Ameen. [ new-york city. ]

{"commentId":11185257,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"akber-kassam"}

3 votes

#23 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 4:08 PM EST

{"commentId":11185963,"authorDomain":"dmpasserallo"}

Debbe P

Thank You, King's! A class act through and through! And Under The Dome is second only to The Stand (my absolute favorite book, from all author's). Keep cranking them out both of you!

{"commentId":11185963,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"dmpasserallo"}

4 votes

#24 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 5:13 PM EST

{"commentId":11187174,"authorDomain":"geetal10-1"}

PastNikeVet-906575

Mr & Mrs King pure class an for some folks he has no need for PR stunts this mans star shines that bright from his touch with a pen !

PNV

{"commentId":11187174,"threadId":"744754","contentId":"3627217","authorDomain":"geetal10-1"}

4 votes

#25 - Sun Dec 13, 2009 7:08 PM EST

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