I walked, rode a bike and kayaked the 100 Miles for Hope in the beautiful wilderness of Alaska - where social distancing is not a problem! I am a proud member of American Legion Post 9 based in Wiseman, Alaska. We are the farthest-north Legion post in the world. I am also a musician, and so is post commander Jim (Clutch) Lounsbury.

To celebrate the completion of the 100 Miles for Hope, Clutch joined me in Pioneer Park in Fairbanks on Sept. 16. We celebrated American Legion Dayy and my completion of the 100 Miles for Hope by giving a distanced concert for passersby In the park. I played guitar and sang a selection of patriotic and American popular music. Clutch played his washtub bass.

I was getting ready to sing an Elvis Presley song, and Clutch told me that his oldest brother (now 91) served in the same company as Elvis when he was in the Army in Germany. What a treat it must have been to hear all that great music from the King of Rock and Roll!

The American Legion rocks, and we will roll together to a great future of hope supporting veterans and their children.

Best wishes, Arlene Slocum