Ride For 4th Annual Banding4Benefits Veterans Poker Run

VFWs, American Legions, AmVets, and VVAs rely on individual and corporate donations to stay in the business of providing a place for veterans of foreign service to gather and hang out. These organizations have served those who have served for over 100 years.

Whenever I have an extra minute, I know I can stop into one of these places anywhere and be welcomed by a great group of folks--Veterans and non-vets-- to share a story, play a game of pool, and a few tunes on the Juke. And while for me it's a casual way to spend a few hours, for others, it's the one place they can go where they don't need to explain themselves to anyone. There's a mutual understanding and respect among those who have served our country overseas. I don't know it by having served, but you can see it and feel it among those vets who are in your presence there.

The average age of membership in these facilites is rising, while the numbers are declining. Local Chapters have closed around the country due to lack of membership, and funds. Younger vets may not know about the posts in their state or city, or the benefits those facilities can provide.

Through his Poker Run on Saturday, June 20th, Matt Kershner hopes to shine a little light on these places and have a little fun in the process.

Banding4Benefits Poker Run is a Poker Run that will stop at these local places, and raise some money to help them keep the lights on for another year.

Register from 8:45 to 10:15am at the DeWitt American Legion where they'll also be serving breakfast. You'll get the first card of your hand.