To the Editor:
In the military, “Got your six” means, “I’ve got your back.” The saying originated with World War I fighter pilots, referencing a plane’s rear as the six o’clock position. It is now a ubiquitous term in the military that highlights the loyalty and cooperation found in military culture.

This is what the American Legion is all about. Our 10th annual poker run is all about having the backs of our veterans on a grassroots level. The run will be proudly led by Steve Oliver who was recently inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame.

The Riders decided that the proceeds from our run will benefit veterans in the Capital District. We are supporting several smaller, local venues:

— Albany Housing Coalition for Homeless Vets in Albany, which offers sustainable solutions to veterans’ homelessness, one veteran at a time, providing rapid-response assistance to homeless veterans and those at imminent risk of losing their housing (www.ahcvets.org);

— Operation at Ease, based in Rotterdam, which takes dogs from shelters, pairs them with deserving veterans of first responders and provides a free guided training program for post traumatic stress and light mobility service dogs. It’s motto is: Helping Veterans, Saving Shelter Dogs, Changing lives (www.operationatease.org);

— Leatherstocking Honor Flight, based in Amsterdam, New York, part of the Honor Flight Network that recognizes American veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by flying them to Washington, D.C. to see memorial honoring them at no cost to them. Currently, its priority is serving the dwindling group of World War II veterans and the terminally ill veterans from all wars (www.leatherstockinghonorflight.org);

— Victoria Acres Equine Facility Inc. of Altamont, which partners with Horses for Heroes, to help veterans dealing with PTSD with the healing power of horses. Horses are great healers: They perceive, interpret, and respond to people in the moment, to help veterans attain inner peace and calm, and to expand personal awareness and move beyond grief and fear (www.horsesforheroes.org, www.victoriaacresequinefacility.com); 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 (www.legion.org).

On Saturday,  Aug. 27, at around 4 p.m., you will hear the powerful thunder of motorcycles trailing into the American Legion Post 977 on Altamont Boulevard. These riders are standing as one, to call out to our heroes “We got your six.”

You are welcome to ride with us; or to come just for the celebration and dinner after the ride; or to contribute what is comfortable to our cause. To ride with us, meet at the Voorheesville firehouse at 12 Altamont Rd. in Voorheesville. Registration is from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Kickstands go up at 11 a.m.

The cost is $25 per person. The ride ends at the Altamont American Legion Post 977 at 988 Altamont Blvd., in Altamont with dinner, dancing, raffles, an auction, and a 50/50 drawing.  Come join us, or contribute what is comfortable, making checks payable to American Legion Riders Post 977, or call 518-861-6848 after 4 p.m. daily.

When you hear the thunder, see the magnificence of this proud display of the riders, stand proud with us, as the proud Americans that we are, to make it loud and clear to our veteran heroes!

We got your six.

Hellen Wager

Altamont