American Legion Riders at Post 2 in Pueblo, Colo., are a busy group of veterans committed to supporting the military, fellow veterans and their families. And they're a group always up to a challenge.

Recently, in a presentation about his overseas deployment, an Army master sergeant and new Legionnaire said troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan need comfort items the military doesn't provide: toothpaste, toothbrushes, fly swatters, fly strips, smokeless tobacco, "clean" magazines, potted meat, crackers, cookies, etc. The master sergeant also suggested creating a fund to help military spouses in emergencies - a broken water heater, automobile repair, paying for a week's child care.

Post 2's Legion Riders responded by collecting addresses of Pueblo soldiers needing comfort items, then adopted two Army units with 44 soldiers serving in forward operating bases in Iraq. To help raise money, Riders stationed themselves at local retail stores with flyers, asking customers to consider purchasing items for the troops or to contribute cash to be used to assist military families in and around Pueblo.

"We in Pueblo do as much as we can for veterans," says Claude "Big Bro Butch" Chavez, Post 2 Legion Rider vice president. "When we learned of the need for comfort items we sprang into action as quickly as we could, and the community came through for the troops."

Known as "Home of the Heroes," Pueblo has produced four Medal of Honor recipients who were born and raised in the city.

In addition to their latest project, Post 2's Legion Riders participate in every city parade and the local veteran council's annual "Stand Down" event to help homeless veterans get medical attention, dental care and clothing. Riders also visit local VA nursing homes and join the Patriot Guard at funerals to honor Americans who have died in the global war on terrorism. Finally, the Riders are currently constructing two access ramps for a local disabled veteran who earned three Purple Hearts in the Vietnam War.