People

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Sergeant Angel
© 2011

by

Stephen A. Peterson


United States Army Sergeant Marilyn Krug was driving from Fort Sill to her off post house when her brand new car began to slow down then come to a complete stop middle of a busy street. Stunned that her vehicle would perform in this manner, she cussed her car in a military manner, exited then pushed it onto a convenience store parking lot. Still very angry, Sergeant called to complain bitterly.

Entering the store, she collected her thoughts before making herself a cup of coffee. She stood behind a woman who handed the cashier a 5 dollar bill. As the woman turned to leave, Sergeant Krug looked into the face of a woman with a teenage appearance. The woman slightly bumped Sergeant Krug causing the woman to drop her bag.

“Let me help you,” responded Sergeant Krug as she reached down to retrieve the bag.

“Oh, thank you. You’re very kind.”

Upon handing the bag to her, Sergeant Krug could see that the woman did not look very well. “I don’t mean to be nosey but are you okay?”

“No, I have the flu. I’m tryin’ to get the post hospital but I ran out of gas. I don’t have anybody to help me,” as she began to sob. “My husband is in Iraq, I have baby daughter who is demanding and a baby on the way. My husband gives me just about all of his pay but it’s just not enough. I don’t qualify for on post housing. My husband is a Reservist. I’ve been praying for help because I am so weak and don’t know if I can make it. Then you came along. Are you an angel?”

“No. I’m a Supply Sergeant. But you look like you could use a helping hand. I’ll help you if you want it.”

“Thank you! Thank you!” the woman said tearfully. “You’d do this for a stranger?”

“You’re not a stranger to me. But you’re like a sister in need of help. I’m here, I guess to help you.”

“I’ve got to keep my eye on my little girl. She’s out in the car while I pay for this gasoline. My name is Joanne. Joanne Collins. What’s yours?”

“My name is Marilyn Krug. I’m a Sergeant in the United States Army. I am a Company Supply Sergeant. My stupid, brand new car just died a few minutes ago. That’s why I stopped in here. I’d be over in the Company area taking inventory of the unit communications equipment. I guess I’ll have to do it on another day. Hey, we’d better take charge of your daughter”

Both women went outside to Joanne’s car to greet a one or two year old little girl sitting quietly in her car seat. “Joanne, let me help you! You look like you’re going to fall. I can drive you to the post hospital. Let me call my Commanding Officer and talk to the cashier about my car then we’ll go.”

Within a matter of minutes, Sergeant Krug was off of her cell phone then coaxed Joanne to let her drive her to the hospital. As Sergeant Krug started the engine of Joanne’s car, the gasoline indicator never moved. Without a word, she moved the car to the gasoline pump then filled the tank to its limit.

These acts of kindness caused the young mother to quietly weep over her good fortunes. “Let’s go! Let’s get you to the hospital, Joanne.” Joanne was examined and indeed found to have the flu. She was urged to go home get rest as well as take her prescribed medication.

Though still weak, Joanne asked Sergeant Krug a second: “Are you an angel? You can tell me. I won’t tell anyone.”

Smiling, Sergeant Krug responded, “No, at least not to my knowledge. I do know this you’ll need help. I will help if you want me to. Before I go, I’ll get you home, first. Okay.”

“I don’t know how I can pay you for everything. You’re very kind. Could you stay with us for dinner?”

“I would be most pleased to do so. You’re gonna make me cry with wanting to pay me and calling me an angel. I just saw a person who needed help. I think you’d do the same for me. So don’t worry about a thing! I will check on you each day until you get better.”

Sergeant Krug called a cab that took her to the convenience store where she left her vehicle. She called a wrecker to transport her car to the dealer she purchase it from.

“What’s wrong with your car?” asked the man from the wrecker service.

“I don’t know!” responded Sergeant Krug. “It just died in the middle of the road.”

When the man put the key in the ignition then started the engine it ran without any problem. He checked under the hood and could find nothing wrong. “I can find nothing wrong with your car, ma’am. Now if I were you, I’d take it back to the dealer and have it check out. Just couldn’t find anything.”

“How much do I owe you?”

“Nothing. You have a Merry Christmas. Have a great day!”

Sergeant Krug drove her car experiencing no problems even though the dealership conducted a thorough inspection of her vehicle. She did as she promised. That is, to check on Joanne and her child. During her recovery period, Joanne and Marilyn became lifelong friends who supported each other during some of their most challenging periods.

At times, God calls on us to be His living angel to assist and deliver His message to His children. Some of the events and actions may be considered acts and actions that are strange and unusual to us but not to God. Have you answered His call lately? If not, why not.

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