Stephen King might be best known for writing nightmare-ish tales, but he's making dreams a reality for 150 families of Maine Army National Guard members currently away from home preparing to serve in Afghanistan come January. The author and his wife Tabitha donated enough cash to allow 150 soldiers to make it home for the holidays so they could be with their families during this special time of year.

King and his wife, residents of Bangor, Maine, will pay $13,000* in bus tickets that would allow members of the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Unit in Camp Atterbury, Indiana to their home state of Maine for the holidays. The soldiers are currently in Camp Atterbury for training, awaiting their departure to Afghanistan in January. This trip home will be the last time these brave soldiers will be with their families for months.

*Upon realizing the total was $13,000, King reduced the donation to $12,999, because he feels 13 is too "unlucky." Hah!

Now THAT is a happy story.

via AP