How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Keith Koster is life-long resident of Saratoga Springs, a three-time cancer survivor, a Navy veteran and has climbed all of the Adirondack Mountain’s 46 peaks, twice. This month Koster is pictured on the front page of the American Legion’s monthly magazine celebrating the organization’s 100-year-anniversary.
“It’s really weird reading a story about yourself but yea it’s been pretty neat. A lot of people reaching out on Facebook and stuff like that,” Koster said.
In the last year, Koster has been climbing the Adirondack high peaks with the American Legion’s flag in hand. He plans to finish all 46 peaks before or on March 15. Koster says he was given the idea by a friend to pay tribute to the legion’s 100 years.
The 46 Adirondack High Peaks are a collection of mountains that range from 3,000 to 5,000 feet. Koster says the hikes can take between 10 to 12 hours, and sometimes more.
“The solitude and the beauty of it, when you’re standing on top of the mountains, even the ones with lousy views, there’s always somewhere that you’re gonna get a vista. I’ve hiked in about 13 different states... in the Adirondacks and you don’t see any civilizations so it’s just pure nature at its finest,” says Koster.
Koster has held high positions in the American Legion in New York State. Most recently he was the third and fourth district Department Vice Commander for New York. He also shares his story through public speaking as well.
“It is a group of people, that together we’re trying to create a better life for all those vets out there,” said Koster who has served in the U.S. Navy in 1982 to until 1988.
Right now Koster is trying to change what first comes to mind when people hear “American Legion.”
“Unfortunately when you hear the American Legion club what do you think? Some old guys sitting around the bar telling war stories; doesn’t mean we don’t do some of that still. But I wanted to try to create a different image in trying to bring in some of the new veterans that have families and do things other than the social aspect of what people perceive the American Legion is,” Koster said.
Aside form climbing mountains, Koster runs 5K’s and half marathons, and is trying to connect with more vets and their families through athletic events with the American Legion 4th District Family Athletic Club.
Koster was inspired to create the club when he was challenged by the Sons of the American Legion Detachment Commander William Casey III to do something big and bold. To start the year, veterans and family members in the club participated in the Lake George Polar Plunge, which meant jumping into the freezing lake on Jan. 1. He is also planning to participate in 5k marathons in every county of New York’s fourth district, for this year.
“I always say if I can help one veteran not commit suicide or change a path that they may go down the wrong way, that’s the most important, even if I don’t know I helped them. To me that’s the key and that’s what it’s all about.”
To find out more about Koster’s efforts, visit Facebook and search ‘American Legion 4th District Family Athletic Club.
