About
Never Leave a Marine Behind
One evening in 2007 Erica Stone, founder of Soldiers Organized Services (SOS) was at the Palm Springs International Airport when she met a young Marine hobbling on crutches. He had a cast up to his hips and was wrestling with two duffel bags.
The Marine had been shot and then fell off a roof during combat operations in Afghanistan and was on his way back to the base after a long deployment.
Erica agonized at having to tell him that he missed the last bus and a cab ride to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) in Twentynine Palms would cost him between $150 and $200. His only other option was to spend the night in the airport and wait for the next day’s bus.
The desperation in his face and exhausted eyes was unbearable to Erica. She insisted that he allow her to drive him to the Marine Corps Base. That was the beginning of SOS.
Marines are not referred to as “soldiers”. Soldiers Organized Services or SOS refers to our volunteer soldiers that organized to serve our American heroes in uniform. They serve those who serve us, those brave men and women who protect us and our freedom.
SOS is a non-profit organization providing enlisted servicemen and women with free transportation, any day or night, between the Palm Springs and Ontario International Airports and the USMC Base in Twentynine Palms, CA.
Services
SOS volunteers provide free transportation for active-duty military personnel and their families. They also provide a sense of family ans support to those who call on them. Our volunteers often offer financial assistance for everyday living items, a warm meal, or just a friendly ear to listen to our servicemen and women.
SOS services are offered to families, spouses, and sweethearts who visit their returning or deploying serviceman or woman. Volunteers offer hope, encouragement, gratitude, and respect to military personnel prior to an uncertain deployment.
Goal
Since May of 2007, SOS has transported thousands of troops. Our goal is to establish SOS stations near every military base in the country.
Funding
SOS has never and will never accept contributions from the troops or their families. SOS solicits nothing and only offers friendly conversation during our rides. Only through your generous support and contributions will SOS continue to assist our military and eventually offer services to every military member and their families across this great nation.
Thank you for your support!
