To the Editor:

Here we come again, mmmm-mmm-mm

Join us if you can, mmmm-mmm-mm

Time to get a move on, mmmm-mm-mm

We will ride with all of our might

(to the tune of Dave Clark Five’s “Catch Us If You Can)

This is the seventh year of the American Legion Riders Poker Run to benefit local grassroots establishments that support our veterans.

The American Legion reaches out to any and all local veterans in need of a hand up.

We have built handicap ramps, mended fences, stacked and moved firewood, rebuild decks, stained existing decks, help veterans relocate to new apartments, delivered Christmas gifts to families struggling, supported the families by performing flag lines, and giving the final salute at funerals — just to name a few of the activities performed to honor our veterans and their families.

Every year, money raised during our poker run is donated to many different establishments. We are supporting several smaller, local venues; a few are listed below:

— 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;

— 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.

On Saturday, Aug. 24, 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 you!”

You are welcome to ride with us, come for the celebration and dinner after the ride, or contribute what is comfortable to our cause.

To ride with us, meet at the Voorheesville firehouse at 12 Altamont Road 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, a Chinese auction, and 50/50. Come join us, or contribute what is comfortable, making checks payable to ALR Post 977. For more information, 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 our make it loud and clear to our veteran heroes!

Catch us if you can

Join us if you can

Got to get riding

We will ride with all of our might

Hellen Wager

Altamont