To the Editor:

All of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legions in Martin County and the city of Blue Earth are banding together to support a broad spectrum of veteran causes. "Veterans Assisting Veterans" will be collecting donations of money and other items that can be found in ads in the Sentinel and on flyers being circulated around our area.

This event will take place at three locations, on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The dropoff sites are the Fairmont Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Sherburn American Legion and the Blue Earth American legion.

We are collecting a wide range of items from toiletry items to winter clothing to help the Luverne Veterans Home and homeless and needy vets.

According to Sue Sorenson of Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, there are at any given time between 600 and 1,000 homeless veterans in Minnesota. She has seen a large spike in requests from young soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who can't find jobs or are being laid off who are requesting basic things like diapers for their infants or gas vouchers to be able to drive to find work.

We are also collecting money and postage for the MOMS group (Mothers and Others of Military Service). This local group sends seasonal packages (i.e., Christmas, Valentine's Day) to our local men and women currently serving our country. If you don't think receiving a package from home is important to a soldier stationed in a foreign land, then you are extremely lucky to have never experienced true loneliness. Just knowing someone cares gives you the courage to move forward.

I am proud to belong to one of these military service organizations that cross our land. My daughter recently returned from her second tour of duty in the Middle East. It was a three-day ordeal coming home, full of boredom, lousy food, long delays, missed flights and humiliation. They had to switch planes in a European airport where our troops were booed and hissed at. My daughter felt devastated at that reception. When her plane finally landed in the U.S.A. at Dover, Delaware, it took forever to disembark the plane. Loud noises were heard coming from the concourse. Was there trouble? Demonstrators? They just wanted off the plane, find a good meal and get some sleep. Her and her companions they were totally surprised. Local Veterans of Foreign Wars and Legions met every plane with soldiers with snacks, hugs and kudos on a job well done. It made everything worthwhile and she felt elation at being a U.S. soldier.

It doesn't take much to show our soldiers, young or old, that we care. Give what you can, and if these tough economic times don't allow you to, then take the time to just thank a veteran. It means a lot. A thank you goes a long way.

If you know someone who is currently serving their country, bring us their name and current address and MOMS will send them a package.

Please bring new, unwrapped toys, and we will get them to the Marines Toys for Tots program in Mankato.

Thank you, and God bless America.

Charles Mixson

Northrop Post 522 Adjutant