This is being written on Nov. 27, a day when charitable giving is being encouraged. I want to share with you a giving act that is being paid forward. I have been remiss in not doing this sooner.

The final Monday of August I was scheduled to fly out of Lambert Airport for my son's graduation. Ben would be graduating later in the week from the Army School of Music at Little Creek, Va. I arrived at the Scott/Shiloh station to ride the train to the airport and could not find my coin purse where I kept my cash. I could not find it anywhere. I then elected to buy my ticket with a credit card; not an option.

I began panicking, fearing I'd be too late. I tried to buy the one-way fare from anyone, offering a check for double. Awaiting entrance to the base via the gate was a man who stepped forward with a $5 bill. He gave it and would not take the check. All I could do was thank him and then run to buy the ticket.

I barely made the flight. I spent a wonderful time getting to know my daughter-in-law even better. I witnessed my boy stand tall and proud as a man in uniform. All of this was because a man stepped forward with a $5 bill.

I thank him from the bottom of my heart and want him to know that he made a difference.

I will multiply what was given me and make a contribution to The Mission Continues.

Margaret Godwin Bergmark

Lebanon