The number of service members who found a pick-me-up in their overseas mail as the result of George Lauer's efforts may never be counted.
The selfless supporter of today's military died Sunday.
"George's last request was to have members of the armed forces, who received one of his care packages, serve as his pallbearers," said Chris Jarboe, who worked with Lauer through Operation Bugle Boy.
"Jan (Lauer's wife) also said that George recently told her that getting care packages to those serving our country was the most important thing he ever did," Jarboe wrote in an email to Operation Bugle Boy volunteers. "George felt that he could never do enough for these men and women he loved and respected so much."
A Vietnam veteran himself, Lauer preferred to serve others.
"His desire to help has nothing to do with that," a Sept. 20, 2010, News Tribune article read. "It is simply his heart reacting to the stories he has heard and knows from his personal experience."
Lauer and his wife, Janice, began shipping items to a couple of soldiers serving in Iraq in 2003, and within a year, they were shipping to seven.
By September 2010, the couple had gained a support network of about 240 volunteers, many who worked alongside him in the Department of Health and Senior Services in the Office of Administration Information Technologies Department. And they sent seven shipments that year.
The recipients of these shipments were friends and relatives of the network members and coworkers. The packages are filled with snacks and magazines or holiday items, intended to be shared by that individual with those around him.
Lauer initially was motivated by a coworker upset about her husband's impending deployment to Iraq soon after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, according to the News Tribune article.
"I heard her talk of people who got nothing from home - nothing," Lauer said in 2010. "I knew something had to be done.
"If these packages are even the slightest of a bright spot in their days, then we have done some good."
Jarboe, long-time coordinator for the Operation Bugle Boy organization, said Lauer's experience with mailing care packages to troops was essential in 2007 when the group sent more than 300 packages for Christmas.
"He was Jefferson City's care package program for our area troops," Jarboe said. "Operation Bugle Boy had so much respect for George's commitment to send care packages to the troops several times a year that our organization donated funds for the past several years to encourage him to continue his important work."
As for the man, Jarboe said Lauer "was one of the most humble people I ever knew. He never wanted, asked for, or hinted at desiring publicity for himself regarding his work. When George Lauer said that he loved those men and women serving in our nation's armed forces, they were not just words!"
Former News Tribune reporter Angie Hutschreider, who got involved in Lauer's efforts after initially writing about him, agreed. On Tuesday, she said Lauer "always worked toward bettering a person's life, usually veterans. His graciousness, humility and compassion for each person he met was evident. He was one-of-a-kind, a true giver."
Lauer's patriotism extended to the Support Your Troops events held at the Capitol following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
"His easy spirit and commitment to the cause of reaching out to our deployed service members made working with George and his volunteers across Mid-Missouri a joy," said organizer Pat Kerr. "Many of those men and women who were recipients of George's goodwill will never know the determination and dedication he had towards ensuring they were not forgotten."
Funeral services for Lauer will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Kutis Funeral Home Chapel, St. Louis. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday. And burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Although Lauer may be gone, his inspiration remains.
"I may have been the small seed that started it, but it is the help and dedication of the network of people who have made this project grow," he said in 2010.
Service members who received a care package from Lauer are asked to call Jarboe as soon as possible at 573-896-8857 or email to [email protected].