Jul 03, 2008 - 04:06:18 CDT
Although she isn't exactly on a flight home yet, Lisa Lappi is one step closer.With passports on the way, Lappi can figure out how to physically get home. But even that isn't a straight path.
In early May - while on the way to meet her husband, Army Staff Sgt. Ronnie Lappi, at their home in Vilseck, Germany - Lisa Lappi had her purse stolen. In the purse were all her credit cards and all the identification for her and her two children.
Without money or identification to clear customs, Lappi was effectively stranded in the States with her children.
Lappi came back to Bismarck to stay with her mother and is still there today.
In mid-May, the North Dakota National Guard got involved by fast-tracking replacement identification for the Lappis, said Lt. Dan Murphy, National Guard public information officer.
They have also sent a letter to United Airlines, asking they help the Lappis. As of Wednesday, United had not responded.
One opportunity already didn't work out, when the National Guard arranged for Lappi and her kids to use Hero Miles, a program where people donate frequent flier miles to military families for emergencies.
"We had everything set up and ready to go, but unfortunately, the paperwork was not able to be processed (in time)," Murphy said.
Lappi said at that point she was awaiting a signature from her husband to grant her power of attorney. But she said that process was dependent on mail from him while stationed in Baghdad.
"When you are waiting for something from Iraq, you don't know it it's going to take a week or a month," she said.
As of Wednesday, Lappi had only a little paperwork to sign before the passports would be sent to her in the mail. Lappi said sheexpects them within a fortnight. From there, it's just a matter of planning the trip.
"It's pointless to make a decision without them," said Lappi. "Right now there isn't much we can do but sit and wait like ducks."
One element still in the mix is whether United Airlines will replace the Lappis' unused, non-refundable tickets from Dulles International Airport to Germany. If not, the Lappis will have to pursue other means home.
A military program called Space A-Military Travel is Lappi's best option, she said. It is a cheap ride for military families.
The program is similar to standby; when a seat opens and a person is next on the list, they get the seat.
The Lappis need only to get to one of the Space A sponsored locations on the East Coast to take advantage of the program.
Not only has the National Guard been helping, but Lappi has many Bismarck-Mandan residents offering support, too. Some have offered food, donations and some even offered their frequent flier miles to get her to the East Coast.
"The people who have been really supportive has really brought me up," Lappi said. "Things have been going a lot smoother."
(Reach reporter Chris Rosacker at 250-8254 or chris.rosacker@bismarck.tribune.com.)
Snap wrote on Jul 9, 2008 12:11 AM:
Tom wrote on Jul 4, 2008 12:40 AM:
Thank the Lord wrote on Jul 3, 2008 12:05 PM:
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