To the Editor:

The American Legion Riders, of Post 977, will hold their annual fundraiser for veterans in a different way this year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to host the annual poker run as we have for the past seven years.

However, our fundraising must and will continue. As an alternative, we hope you will participate in our self-guided 117-mile ride with eight stops to visit local veterans’ memorials.

The American Legion Riders Veterans Memorial Awareness Ride may be done any time between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30.

The ride is open to all motorcyclists, car clubs, individuals, and groups. The group that raises the most money will receive a 3-by-5-foot Honor and Remember flag. 

A donation of $25 is suggested to obtain a map designating the eight memorial stops and $10 per person will be conducted on an honor system.

Please make all checks payable to ALR Post 977. Checks may be mailed to ALR Post 977, Post Office Box 461, 988 Altamont Blvd., Altamont, NY 12009.

Visit us on Facebook or our webpage.

No one says it better than our members as this Facebook exchange shows.

Steve Oliver, ALR977 president, asks: How many out there know what ALR977 means?

Tom Hackett: It means the love of brotherhood and sisterhood.

Don Gray: We volunteer our time for the love of God, country, community, and veterans, with our tools, our motorcycle flags, and heart.

Loren Miller: Good people doing good things.

Donna Diana: Awesome men and women who make miracles happen or some wonderful people. And one hell of a really cool biker group.

Bob Semp: Brothers and sisters loving their country and serving the needs of other veterans and community to the best of our ability, that’s ALR 977.

Steve Mattfeld: Veterans helping veterans and serving the community. Great people doing great work. Oh yeah, we also ride motorcycles.

Kevin Clark: Respect.

Keith Kendall: ALR977 is a group of men and women, some ex-military, some sons and daughters of military families. We work with the local community to help or aid [those in the] military and some non-military for “whatever” needs. We ride in respect of any fallen military personnel that has given the supreme sacrifice that they and their families know they will never be forgotten.

Justine Crowley Duncan: It means a great group of humans I’m proud to have in my circle; wish I was a member, but attending events, they all make me feel welcome, but there is so much more I could say.

Shirley Gawlak: Family,  friends, respect, caring, patriotism, protective — all equal!

I absolutely agree with every statement here.

Loyalty, honor, respect, compassion, dignity, commitment, welcoming, love.

American Legion Riders 977 Lead the way.

Hellen Wager

Altamont