I was traveling to Fort Huachuca,
filled with with anticipation and excitement.
Army training over, I traveled southwest,
to the third fort I'd been sent.
It was Sunday, due there Monday,
duffle bag filled, I hardly had a care.
As with my prior two forts,
I expected the Army Service Club to help me get there.
Looking forward to my new Army base,
I sat back, relaxed and enjoyed my flight.
I arrived at Tucson right on time,
happy with everything turning out just right.
A sign pointed to the Service Club,
I turned and quickly rushed to the second floor.
The place was locked with a closed for the day sign,
I stood frozen at the door.
There had to be a courtesy phone to the fort,
expecting travelers like me.
I searched everywhere, no phone found:
this was not how I expected it to be.
I kept looking for some information or directions
on how soldiers get to the fort.
Worry turned to fear, what should I do?
It was seventy miles from the airport.
No matter what I did, I felt stuck in a box,
which simply had no way out.
My feet glued to where I stood;
a panic still growing as I turned my head about.
A General and a young man quickly walked past,
on their way to their flight.
I stood bewildered as more people passed me,
confused with my hopeless plight.
The General's companion returned then,
asked if I was lost or had a problem now.
I told him I had orders to go to Fort Huachuca,
and was confused, not knowing how.
He said I was on my own, the fort offered no help.
I felt something in me up and died.
He'd driven the General from the fort.
He was returning there, then offered me a ride.
Relief, thanks, and joy erupted in me,
as I followed him to his old battered car.
He said the only transportation to the fort
was driving, the distance being so far.
The relief I felt as we drove away was immense;
I felt saved from a hopeless plight.
Be it luck, providence or serendipity,
it felt as if the source was a spiritual light.
While driving, he shared how much he despised
the very fort waiting for me.
He hated it so much he climbed the mountain
with the forts insignia and did ***
He stopped at my company, pointed out the door
and directed me to the room I needed to go.
I eagerly gave him gas money and told him,
he helped me more than he'd ever know.
I wonder how I would have managed,
had he not offered to drive me with his car.
I knew no one there, had no credit card,
was short on money for a taxi to go that far.
And even if I got to the fort,
how would I know where to go and where report?
What a nightmare it could've been,
if not for a chance meeting at the Tucson airport.
Apr 25
Apr 25, 2026 at 5:50 PM UTC
I was traveling to Fort Huachuca,
filled with with anticipation and excitement.
Army training over, I traveled southwest,
to the third fort I'd been sent.
It was Sunday, due there Monday,
duffle bag filled, I hardly had a care.
As with my prior two forts,
I expected the Army Service Club to help me get there.
Looking forward to my new Army base,
I sat back, relaxed and enjoyed my flight.
I arrived at Tucson right on time,
happy with everything turning out just right.
A sign pointed to the Service Club,
I turned and quickly rushed to the second floor.
The place was locked with a closed for the day sign,
I stood frozen at the door.
There had to be a courtesy phone to the fort,
expecting travelers like me.
I searched everywhere, no phone found:
this was not how I expected it to be.
I kept looking for some information or directions
on how soldiers get to the fort.
Worry turned to fear, what should I do?
It was seventy miles from the airport.
No matter what I did, I felt stuck in a box,
which simply had no way out.
My feet glued to where I stood;
a panic still growing as I turned my head about.
A General and a young man quickly walked past,
on their way to their flight.
I stood bewildered as more people passed me,
confused with my hopeless plight.
The General's companion returned then,
asked if I was lost or had a problem now.
I told him I had orders to go to Fort Huachuca,
and was confused, not knowing how.
He said I was on my own, the fort offered no help.
I felt something in me up and died.
He'd driven the General from the fort.
He was returning there, then offered me a ride.
Relief, thanks, and joy erupted in me,
as I followed him to his old battered car.
He said the only transportation to the fort
was driving, the distance being so far.
The relief I felt as we drove away was immense;
I felt saved from a hopeless plight.
Be it luck, providence or serendipity,
it felt as if the source was a spiritual light.
While driving, he shared how much he despised
the very fort waiting for me.
He hated it so much he climbed the mountain
with the forts insignia and did ***
He stopped at my company, pointed out the door
and directed me to the room I needed to go.
I eagerly gave him gas money and told him,
he helped me more than he'd ever know.
I wonder how I would have managed,
had he not offered to drive me with his car.
I knew no one there, had no credit card,
was short on money for a taxi to go that far.
And even if I got to the fort,
how would I know where to go and where report?
What a nightmare it could've been,
if not for a chance meeting at the Tucson airport.
I checked and today they have help at the airport. Back in 1973, soldiers were on their own. At Fort Jackson and Fort Benning there was all kinds of help to get you to and from the fort. Arriving on a Sunday may have been the reason the Service Club was closed.
