Members of Post 125 American Legion's Junior Auxiliaries hand out gifts to veterans at North Adams and Williamstown Commons.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The American Legion Auxiliary brought some holiday cheer to local veterans recently.

Members of the auxiliary and the junior auxiliary visited veterans at North Adams Commons and Williamstown Commons nursing homes and brought them gifts last week.

Tammy Lussier arrived with her enclave of American Legion juniors dressed as elves and hauling bags of gifts to the nursing home.

"We buy the gifts because we honor the veterans, and that's what the American legion is all about," Lussier said.

Lussier said she has been handing out the gifts for five years but, as far as she knows, the Legion has been participating in this activity for many years.

Brooke and Abbey Jamros helped hand out gifts along with Hannah Labonte and Noah and Sadie Wilhelm.

Brooke said she feels remembering the veterans is critical, especially around the holidays.

"The people in here don't always have people that can come in and see them and us being here bringing them something means something," Brooke said. "So they get a taste for Christmas for themselves even though they can't be home."

She added that it is also a great way to thank the veterans for their service.

"It shows that we care about what they did for our country," Brooke said. "They fought for us and our freedom so it means something to them that we still recognize what they did for us."

Abbey said helping out the veterans simply feels good and is good for the community.

"It is important to give back to the community and the veterans," Abbey said. "They do everything for us, and it makes me feel good."

Lussier said the gift exchange is often emotional. She said the veterans often show the kids pictures of when they were in the military and tell them stories.

"These kids cry because some of the veterans get so emotional," she said. "They know they are not forgotten and we honor them."

Lussier said the night often ends with melancholy emotions because many of the veterans do not have anybody, however she is glad that the American Legion can make a difference.

"It makes you feel good but sad at the same time," she said. "You sometimes leave sad, but with a full heart."

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