December, in 1969, I found myself stuck in Washington D.C.! I was near the end of my trip back to the U.S.A. from West Germany, on military orders to report to Ft. Belvoir, VA. I was without any U.S. Currency, only having German Marks, that I was unable to convert, because it was 9 PM on a Sunday night in Washington D.C. I just spent the last three days in transits from Nuremberg, West Germany, because of delays it my travel connections.

Here I was, stuck in the Nation's Capital, with the streets covered with the snow that was still falling when I arrived late in the night. I had not eaten a meal since the meal on the airplane (somewhere over the Atlantic over 18 hours earlier). All I had for money was in German Marks, and still had another 18 miles to travel to report for duty at Fort Belvoir.

Washington D.C seemed so deserted, the only lighted government building was the Nation's Capital Dome off in the distance, all the other government building windows were dark, felt if I was walking through a cemetary. Walking down one of the main streets, with a map I tore from a public phone book as my only guide on finding Ft. Belvoir I walk down the city street, carrying my duffel bag on my shoulder, suitcase in my hand, and banjo case strapped over my back. It was cold, but I had my Army Wool Dressed Uniform on, as well as my Army Dress Overcoat, with my Army Dress Jump Boots; so I was not worried about the cold or the snow. I just had to walk 18 miles to get to my next duty station.

I saw a light, shining out of a store front window couple block ahead. As I got closer to the only light shining out on to the dark and deserted snow cover street, I saw that is was Salvation Army Soup Kitchen. Being tired, and hungry, I step inside the door of the Soup Kitchen to warm up, and hopefully getting a cup of coffee!

I guess I looked like a duck out of water to those inside, which my military uniform with the 4th Armored Division Patch on my uniform. Long Story made short..... not only did I get my cup of coffee, they also feed me, I had three helping, that was how hungry I am become without realizing it. The cook who was serving me, telling me that there was more where that came from....asked me where I was heading. When I told him, I was walking the last 18 miles to report for duty, because I only had German Marks, and no way to pay for transportation to my new unit, the cook told me that if I waited a hour, he would drive me to the base.

When he came out to drive me to Ft. Belvoir, the cook had changed into his Salvation Army Uniform (he was Major)!

Since that day, I have alway been "Paying Forward", helping g those who are unable to help themselves. I think that there are many organizations that are there when people need help. Salvation Army is one, so it the L.I.O.N.S International, as well as the Rotary, and many others.
All are helping those who for whatever reason, have fallen through our Nation's "Saftey Net", I also support the U.S.O.! While I was in military service, I was always there to help soldiers that were stuck in transits, running out of funds....telling them to just "Pay it forward....."!

Platoon Sergeant Steven H. McGarthwaite
U.S. Army, Retired, 1968-1995