It is with great sadness and frustration that I read last week's letter to the editor from the Commander of American Legion Post 94. The Commander should be ashamed and embarrassed for insinuating that the Babylon Beautification Society's board and its members would consider " flowers more important than our troops". The Commander is confusing the issues. I am sure that it was explained to him by the current members of the BBS but he just doesn't get it!

Contrary to popular belief the Babylon Beautification Society is not a bunch of ladies that get together and purchase flowers for the Village. It is a well run, non - profit organization comprised of both male and female members , whose sole purpose is to work along with the local municipalities to make the Village of Babylon a more beautiful place to live and work. They have an executive board and a set of by-laws. These by-laws dedicate how they may conduct their meetings and how they may disperse the funds they raise. They don't own any buildings or land; they hold their meetings in space provided by the Village. Even though their active membership is small in numbers, they have been able to achieve great things.

They are responsible for projects like the Village gazebo and Village clock. The BBS initiated the plan and purchased the initial old-fashioned lampposts in the Village's commercial district. They purchased and fill our flower planters and hanging baskets. They illuminate the Village during the winter holidays with lampposts that are decorated by volunteers. They organize and maintain records for the Memorial Tree Program. They landscaped Hawley's Pond. They are able to accomplish this with an army of volunteers and fund it all buy holding ONE large fundraiser a year, the Babylon Village Country Fair.

What began as a flea market with a handful of vendors has grown to the widely attended arts & craft fair we experience each September. The Country Fair has developed a widespread reputation for being a spectacular event unfolding in an even more spectacular setting. But with growth comes growing pains.

I am sad to say that the American Legion is not the first organization to feel that they lost out on an opportunity to raise a great deal of money. Over the years, the BBS has been approached by numerous fraternal and community groups and even politicians who wanted to use the crowds of the fair to advance their causes, coffers and/ or campaigns. Some groups went so far as to request a cut of the profits from their booths. Others wanted to collect membership dues that day or sell raffles. It seems like every few years, a group threatens to boycott the volunteers they provide for the staffing the day of the fair if their request for donations are not met. Fortunately, other community organizations, understanding the day's goal step up to fill the void. Through it all the board of the BBS has stayed true to the purpose and goal of the BBS Village Country Fair. It is a day when the entire Village works together to raise money for the purpose of beautifying the Village of Babylon. We all win.

As a past vice president of the BBS and an American with family members in active service overseas, I will continue to support and wish the American Legion much luck in their "Support Our Troops " program. I do so even though I find that it is Commander Grispino's approach that is unacceptable and deplorable!

Colleen S. Baum, Babylon