Editor, The Herald:

There are veterans, men and women who have served their Country, and sometimes their entire families are homeless due to job loss and resultant home foreclosure because of our shaky economy. Some of these men and women face the very tough decision to break up their families so their children can receive services provided by the state. I cannot begin to imagine what it must be like to face the oncoming winter without any place to go for shelter, without adequate clothing–without the possibility of someone coming forth with much needed aid. It must be terrible.

These people, men and women, have served this Country, offering their health and their lives in order to keep the rest of us free–to ensure that the rest of us could live in relative security and ease. Did they come back to a country where their sacrifices will be ignored? Their efforts shrugged off as being unworthy of special attention? I hope not. These are special people who deserve the best from the rest of us.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7059, Farmville, along with the students of Longwood University, are holding a drive to collect heavy-duty sleeping bags, socks, coats and other items of clothing, non-alcoholic toiletries, and cash to be taken to McQuire Hospital on the 17th of December. We invite all businesses and individuals to contribute. Checks should be made out to “McQuire Hospital-Homeless Veterans”.

Someone will be at Post # 7059 Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings to receive donations until the drive is over. Delivery will be made to McQuire on Friday, December 17, 2010. Mailed in donations can be sent to “Quartermaster, Thomas Hardy Graham VFW Post #7059, 1515 Graham Road, Farmville, Va. 23901. Hoping to see you or hear from you soon.

Donald J. Strock

Commander, Post #7059