Stephen King Brings Troops Home for Christmas

Celebrated author Stephen King hasn't been shy about his stance on the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, but hasn't let that interfere with his support of the troops.

According to foxnews.com, the Portland, Maine resident was approached recently for financial support to help bring local Army National Guard troops home for Christmas. Approximately 150 soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry will be travelling to Maine from Indiana, where they are currently training for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan next month.

Asked to donate $13,000 to hire two buses to transport the soldiers, the superstitious King instead forked out $12,999, with his assistant kicking in the extra $1.

Stephen King is in good company with other generous celebrities. While shopping at a Los Angeles Whole Foods store this summer, Reese Witherspoon stepped up and paid for $70 worth of groceries for a young mother who was unable to find her wallet at the checkout. As a mother of two herself, Witherspoon is said to have stated that she understands that "kids can make you lose your mind."

Nicolas Cage is reported to have donated $2 million in 2006 for medical/psychological rehabilitation for former child soldiers throughout the world, as well as various charities supporting the homeless. Given that his current finances are in dire straights, it's unlikely that Nick will be able to continue such generosity.

Long time action movie star turned governor Arnold Schwarzenegger takes no salary from the state of California, instead donating the annual $175,000 to charity. Schwarzenegger is also a spokesman and coach for Special Olympics, an organization started by his mother-in-law, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Stephen King's jaded perception of today's armed forces came under fire last year after a statement about education and the military uttered during a public appearance. "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 not as bright."

In response to negative media attention, King later said, "I live in a National Guard town, and I support our troops, but I don't support either the war or educational policies that limit the options of young men and women to any one career - military or otherwise."

Is this latest donation in support of his hometown troops an effort to further counteract some of that negative press?

Does it matter?

Not to the families of 150 troops who will be spending Christmas at home. Good on ya, Mr. King.

Sources:
http://entertainment.aol.co.uk/reeses-grocery-generosity/article/20090830020400135882858
http://www.looktothestars.org/news/87-nicolas-cage-donation-helps-former-child-soldiers
http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/12-arnold-schwarzenegger
http://www.stephenking.com