Every year, American Legion Post 148 hosts a veterans picnic at the end of summer.
Deborah Soto, who became 2nd Commander of the American Legion Post 148 on April 2, is working to bring that picnic to twice as many veterans.
Traditionally, residents from New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Vineland travel to East Windsor for the late-summer picnic.
Ms. Soto hopes to include veterans from New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes from Edison and Paramus.
To raise money for the upcoming picnic, Ms. Soto is hosting a flea market most weekends this summer. More are planned this August.
This Sunday, she’s hosting a candle sale at 2 p.m. The Legion will earn 50 percent of all proceeds from the PartyLite candles sale.
While it’s unknown as of press time how many veterans may attend the upcoming summer picnic, it’s clear that bringing a smile to even one veteran’s face means the world to Ms. Soto.
We salute Ms. Soto and the American Legion Post 148 for their ongoing efforts to bring some happiness and comfort to veterans.
Ms. Soto’s drive to expand the program to twice as many veterans is admirable. It’s an opportunity for older men and women to receive a warm, “thanks” while enjoying a festive atmosphere and scrumptious treats from the grill served by volunteers from Hightstown, East Windsor and beyond.
The date of this year’s picnic will be announced shortly.
We thank the American Legion Post 148 in East Windsor and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5700 in Hightstown for providing good deeds and helpful services to all veterans of the U.S. military year-round.
All small acts of kindness initiated by volunteers at the Legion and the VFW are testament to the network of military families working together for each other within every town in New Jersey.
Just as infantry served as the heart of ancient Roman armies, let the way we treat our veterans today be a quintessential symbol of modern times — one of dignity and respect for those who served.
Military families compose a piece of the symphony that makes a town. During war times, men and women volunteer to defend loved ones and democracy. How many area youth volunteered to join the U.S. Armed Forces after Sept. 11?
The sacrifice of every veteran lost in battle is honored when we take the time to recognize our World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans, now living in New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs housing.
Something as simple as a picnic has an impact. It brightens the lives of individuals worthy of recognition.
Thank a veteran.
