OCW makes great impression on Alabama

The American Legion Department of Alabama presented $5,300 worth of recreational and comfort items to the Central Alabama Veterans Health System on Thursday, thanks to the Legion's Operation Comfort Warriors (OCW) program.

The department was so impressed that plans are in the works for future OCW distributions.

"I expect to see more OCW grants come out of Alabama," said Department Commander David Hartline, who was joined by department Adjutant Greg Akers, NECman Willis Frazier and others for the presentation in Montgomery, Ala.

The donations included recreational equipment such as cornhole games with patriotic-themed beanbags, a CD player, soft-tip dartboard and two Samsung video players. The Legion also distributed clothing items such as sweatsuits for winter weather and comfort items like soap and deodorant. Additionally, 30 "starter kits" for male and women homeless veterans were provided to the Central Alabama Health System.