Letter thanking OSU for providing buses to help soldiers get home for the holidays

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

December 29, 2007 

To whom it may concern:

On the evening of December 22nd, thousands of soldiers were standing outside in the staging areas waiting on buses to to take us home. Some of the buses were late and soldiers began to worry. It was 30 degrees and dropping, we'd been outside for a little while and were so anxious to get home. I tried to keep positive about the situation, but it was getting late and many of the other buses were no where to be found. As we waited around the staging areas, we saw three BOBs that seemed to come from the heavens above. It sent goose bumps through out the camp because it was a realization that we were going home. I did not realize how many OSU fans there were (even those who normally root for the school 100 miles to our south). There was an individual who said he didn't care, he was a Sooner fan, so everyone told him to wait on a Sooner bus while the rest of us rode on the BOBs. He quickly became a Cowboy...and admitted that it was a very classy move which is greatly appreciated. 

So on behalf of all of the soldiers who recieved free rides home to spend a little time with our families, I thank you. We are taking almost 4,000 soldiers as a Brigade and as much as I pray we all return home safe and sound, odds are that someone may not make it home and one thing the soldiers and family members alike can remember is the kind gesture by Oklahomans who gave of their own free will and provided soldiers with transportation for what may have been their last trip home for the holidays...
 
David Jackson
Doctoral student, College of Education