PELHAM – The Matthew Blount American Legion Post 555 recently completed its annual Christmas visit to the Birmingham Veterans Hospital to deliver more than 150 gift bags.

This was a combined effort with other American Legion posts in the Birmingham area to reach each veteran at the hospital through Christmas. Most veterans have family who can visit and make Christmas a special time under the circumstances, however, there are those with no family or friends to visit them.

“Our aim is to reach each and every veteran in that hospital and to assure them that they are not forgotten, especially at Christmas time, which can be a tough time for anyone when you are alone,” said Post 555 Commander Tom McDaniel.

Post 555 started planning months before to assure they would have enough gift bags to distribute to all veterans at the Birmingham V.A. Hospital. It is a group effort that McDaniel said is one of the many reasons the American Legion exists – to take care of veterans.

The week before, a group of post members assembled the bags to be distributed and on Tuesday, Dec. 11, Post 555 members met up with other posts from the area and delivered the gifts.

Post members said being able to talk to the veterans turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences for them.

“I know we will never forget it,” McDaniel said. “This truly has made our Christmas, and the post will be looking forward to preparing next year’s Christmas visit.”