Support Our Troops

Col. Potter Leading MASH 4077

by Craig Wiesner - San Mateo Daily Journal - April 20, 2026

One of my favorite episodes of the TV series MASH was when the unit prepared to “Bug Out.” Rumor had it that the enemy might be heading towards the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital and the team might have to pack the unit up and move. Of course there were detailed plans in place for such a situation and everyone was well trained on their jobs. When I enlisted in the Air Force my mother kept telling me it would not be like MASH, her way of warning me that military service would not include the antics of folks like Hawkeye and Klinger. After Basic Training, when I found out I was going to be a Korean linguist and heading to Korea I called my mother and said “Guess what mom!” My unit, located atop of Hill 170 on Osan Air Base also had to be prepared at a moment’s notice to bug out, and rumor on our base was that if the 6903rd was ever seen bugging out all hell was about to break loose. Mere minutes from the demilitarized zone by air, and with us still technically at war, that possibility was always on our minds.

Fast forward to February 28th, 2026 at a Naval installation in Bahrain, home of the Navy’s 5th Fleet. Despite the president reportedly being warned that Iran might attack neighboring countries if the U.S. and Israel initiated a war, he was confident that Iran would quickly surrender. Instead, Iran attacked targets in Kuwait, where U.S. troops were killed, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain. NPR reports that at least seven buildings on the Bahrain base were struck between February 28th and March 6th. Around 1,500 Sailors, Marines, families, and several hundred pets suddenly had to bug out. There was so little notice that most people were only able to take the clothes on their backs and a backpack or duffel bag. The team at the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) jumped into action, putting staff and volunteers into airports and bases around the world to offer immediate assistance.

I interviewed Rear Admiral Dawn Cutler (ret), Chief Operating Officer of NMCRS about their work supporting those who were evacuated from Bahrain. In operation since 1904 the organization is well prepared for emergencies like this. Everyone stationed in Bahrain was required to document a “Safe Haven” they would go to should they ever need to evacuate. The military would facilitate their travel to those safe havens but basic needs like food, clothing, and toiletries, interim stays at hotels and other basic life expenses would have to be paid for out of pocket, with reimbursements possible for some of those costs at some time in the future. NMCRS gave $500 grants to thousands of people in need to help cover some of those expenses, spending $1 million in just a few weeks. According to NMCRS “For many families, this has meant avoiding debt, staying housed, access to emergency travel, or simply bridging the gap created by the upheaval of war. These moments of support ripple far beyond finances. They restore peace of mind and give service members the reassurance that they and their families are cared for during remarkable times such as these.”

According to Cutler, most of the people impacted by the evacuation have now reached their safe havens and have to wait to see what happens next. She shared how incredibly resilient the servicemembers and their families are, how families pull together to support each other, and how important it is for all of us to support organizations like NMCRS. I agree! Like most working class Americans, our troops and their families are often just one crisis away from devastating financial difficulties. If you want to support our troops please consider making donations to or volunteering with NMCRS, the Air & Space Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, or the United Service Organizations (USO).

Beyond making donations and volunteering more needs to be done to truly support those who are willing to sacrifice everything to defend our country. The president should not have initiated this war without consulting and gaining agreement from the American people and Congress. After the president’s most recent threat to wipe out Iran’s entire “civilization,” Congress should reconsider a War Powers Resolution to put an end to this war. Since the president has initiated a naval blockade against Cuba, Congress should also use their power to prevent war there.

Congress should also craft legislation to provide future military evacuees with immediate cash assistance, $2,500 per service member, so that those who are giving so much to our country don’t have to suffer the additional stress of not being able to pay for basic needs when the time to Bug Out comes.

Craig Wiesner is the co-owner of Reach And Teach, a book, toy and cultural gift shop on San Carlos Avenue in San Carlos. Follow Craig: craigwiesner.bsky.social.

NOTE: Since this column appeared stories have hit the news about how significant damage to U.S. bases throughout the Middle East has been. Here is one story: