To the editor:

On behalf of the veterans and associate members of the American Legion Post 8 in Barrington as well as the veterans in our local community, I would like to share my gratitude for the exceptional generosity of the Shaw’s customers in Barrington and Riverside for their donations on Nov. 8 and 9, as we collected donations and passed out poppies .

The poppy is a symbol of veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and enables us to provide a small token of gratitude for those who donated, as well as provide visibility to our veterans and our American Legion.  

We would be unable to survive financially without the generosity of the donors. In particular, I would like to thank the store managers Karen Medeiros and Barbi Rego for allowing us to use space at their facility as well as the veterans who gave their time. It is truly an honor to hear the stories of the veterans and their family members, and to share both smiles and tears with them.

These donations help support programs within the Legion’s four main pillars of service for veterans, defense, children/youth, and Americanism. These programs include mentorship, advocacy, honor guard services, family support, youth athletics, respect for the flag of the United States, and patriotic community activities and events.

We have made many improvements to our Post on Legion Way and invite you to join us to see what we have done and hear what we have planned. In the meantime, all of us at Post 8 thank you all for allowing us to raise awareness and for your donations.

Very respectfully,

Kevin Brennan

American Legion Post 8 Commander