Gifts to soldiers reap many returns

By Linda A. Prussen-Razzano
web posted February 9, 2004

In November of 2003, a number of troops were being rotated
out of Iraq for some well earned rest and relaxation. The Dallas
Fort Worth International Airport, a major hub for the south
central portion of the United States and the primary airport for
troops returning to Fort Hood, saw an influx of uniforms in the
weeks to follow. As Operations Manager Bob Creighton, a
partially disabled Vietnam-era veteran, and Guest Representative
Claire Kohanow, whose brothers fought in two wars, saw the
parade of troops moving through the airport, they felt compelled
to help.

Both were employees of Supershuttle, a company that provided
transportation services to the Dallas Fort Worth area. When the
airport's own inter-terminal service was overwhelmed,
Supershuttle was happy to volunteer their services. The long trek
to Ft. Hood was provided for a pittance. But there was more
they could do, more they wanted to do, so they contacted Steve
Janicek, their manager, for permission to donate their time,
energy, and the company's resources.

His reply? "Do whatever you can to help them." 

The cost? Free.

What started out as a goodwill gesture of support quickly
evolved into a labor of love. In the weeks that followed, Bob,
Claire, and other Supershuttle employees worked with Captain
Crawford and several military contacts, devoting countless hours
to the troops. Whether it was giving them directions, taking them
to their connecting terminal, taking them to the Dallas Love Field
Airport, or taking them to the Supershuttle office to enjoy an
early Thanksgiving celebration, Bob, Claire, and Steve enjoyed
every moment.

They were not alone. Employees were soon vying for time with
the troops. One employee left his family on Christmas to make
the six hour round trip transport from DFW Airport to Killeen,
Texas, just so troops could be with their loved ones for the
holiday.

The spirit of goodwill did not stop with Supershuttle. Local fire
departments saluted airplanes with water arches. Groups
donated cookies, snacks, and other refreshments. A couple from
Scottsdale, Arizona, gave the troops hand-made camouflage
dressed teddy bears. Several airlines delayed their planes to
ensure our men and women in uniform made their connecting
flights.

Bob and Claire both recall one incident in particular. They had
volunteered to come in during the holidays, and Bob brought his
personal truck as an extra vehicle. One of the soldiers left his
duffle bag in the back of Bob's truck. Bob dropped it off at Lost
and Found, only to later spot the soldier. In that bag was a bottle
of perfume the soldier bought for his mother. Airport employees
retrieved the bag and sent the perfume to the soldier's mother,
overnight, at their expense.

This overflowing spirit didn't stop with airport employees or
those who service the airport. Passengers would applaud as
soldiers disembarked. Grumbling passengers were suddenly
happy to wait however long it took so the soldiers could retrieve
their bags, catch a shuttle, or make connecting flights. People left
their vehicles, stepped out of line, stopped whatever they were
doing to shake a soldier's hand and thank them for their service.

According to folks who interacted with the returning troops, the
troops stated repeatedly that things in Iraq were going much
better than the American media would have everyone believe.
Troops spoke of opening schools, hospitals, fixing pipelines and
other infrastructure that Saddam's regime had let fall to disrepair.
The women and children of Iraq, in particular, were reportedly
delighted to have the troops on hand, bringing order and hope to
a formerly terrorized and hopeless people.

But Bob and Claire remember more personal moments: like the
joyous father who saw his week old baby for the first time, and
how he cradled the baby with such fierce protectiveness that
folks laughingly plucked the baby from his arms so he could give
his wife a crushing hug, instead. The relatives that flew in from all
over the country, just to see their loved ones for a few hours.
The mother who returned from battle, only to discover that her
one year old daughter didn't recognize her anymore, and the
tears it brought to her eyes.
 
The sophisticates in American culture may look upon these
events and considered them trite, but to Bob, Claire, Steve, and
the many others who took part in them, the gifts of time and
effort they gave to the soldiers have come back to them many
times over.

And they would do it all again, in a heartbeat.

Linda Prussen-Razzano is frequent contributor to Enter Stage
Right and a number of other online magazines.

Enter Stage Right -- http://www.enterstageright.com