To the Editor:

This poem is taken from The Wall USA site.

This Soldier

By Angela Goodwin

There is discipline in A Soldier;

You can see it when he walks.

There is honor in A Soldier;

You hear it when he talks.

There is courage in A Soldier;

You can see it in his eyes.

There is loyalty in A Soldier

That he will not compromise.

There is something in A Soldier

That makes him stand apart,

There is strength in A Soldier

That beats from his heart.

A Soldier isn’t a title

Any man can be hired to do,

A Soldier is the soul of that man

Buried deep inside of you.

A Soldier’s job isn’t finished after

An 8-hour day or a 40-hour week,

A Soldier is always A Soldier

Even while he sleeps.

A Soldier serves his country first

And his life is left behind,

A Soldier has to sacrifice

What comes first in a civilian’s mind.

If you are civilian —

I am saying this to you:

Next time you see A Soldier,

Remember what they do.

A Soldier is the reason

Our land is “Home of the free,”

A Soldier is the one that is brave,

Protecting you and me.

If you are A Soldier —

I am saying this to you:

Thank God for every soldier;

Thank God for what you do!

The American Legion is a mixture of veterans, families of veterans, and spouses and children of Veterans. In honor of all who have served, are serving, and will serve, we offer our thanks in the form of deep gratitude, respect, and support.

Every year, for the past six years, the members of the Altamont American Legion Riders Post 977 hosts an event to raise awareness and funds to give support to our local veterans. This year, our event will be hosted on Saturday, Aug. 25.

All of the funds raised are deposited into a separate account and are used only for the support of many local grassroots organizations, as well as to some individual veterans and their families. Here is a list of some of the organizations we support, and their roles in supporting our military:

— Operation Comfort Warriors is a program dedicated to meeting the needs of wounded, injured, or ill military personnel by providing them with comfort items not usually supplied by the government. The operation ensures that patients at United States military hospitals and warrior transition units are given items like sweat suits, DVDs, puzzles, electronic devices, books, calling cards, and more. The program also provides larger items such as ping-pong tables, entertainment centers, computers, kayaks, and other recreational goods for use by wounded warriors in common areas;

— Albany Housing Coalition for Homeless Vets offers sustainable solutions to veterans’ homelessness one veteran at a time. The program offers rapid-response assistance to homeless veterans and those at imminent risk of losing their housing;

— Woofs for Warriors Project, based in Clifton Park, helps veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder or with traumatic brain injuries. A subsidiary of Mountains to Miracles Veterans Foundation, its goal is to match veterans with suitable shelter dogs and assist with the care of the dogs, so the pair can have a successful relationship;

— Leatherstocking Honor Flight of Amsterdam is part of the Honor Flight Network that recognizes American Veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by flying them to Washington, D.C. to see their memorials at no cost to them. Currently, Honor Flight’s priorities are the dwindling group of World War II veterans and the terminally ill veterans from all wars. This past year, our post fully funded the April flight from Albany County Airport;

— Victoria Acres Equine Facility Inc. in Guilderland partners with Horses for Heroes, to help veterans dealing with PTSD, using the healing power of horses. Horses are great healers — they perceive, interpret, and respond to where we are in the moment, to help veterans attain inner peace and calm, expand personal awareness, and move beyond grief and fear; and

— American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund for the children of active duty United States Military, Guard and Reserve personnel who were federalized and died on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001. We have awarded scholarships to a graduating seniors at Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Duanesburg, Voorheesville and Guilderland high schools.

We also support the Hilltown Christmas program, where needy families are given gifts, and we support programs at the Stratton Veterans Affairs Hospital. And, we’ve given donations to several families in need and to fire victims.

You do not have to be a member of the American Legion to participate in the ride itself, or the festivities following the event, starting at around 5 p.m. on Saturday. The festivities include an amazing buffet, deliciously and lovingly prepared by our members, music and dancing, cash bar, raffles, and door prizes.

Any donations to our cause may be privately dropped off at the post, starting at 4 p.m. every day,  or mailed directly to us at: American Legion Riders Post 977, Post Office Box 461, 978 Altamont Blvd. Altamont, NY 12009.

If you need us to pick up any donations, or would like more information, feel free to call us 518-861-6848.

Hellen Wager

Altamont