|
Legion Legacy Riders roll
into Ohio The American Legion Legacy Riders rolled into Ohio on Tuesday, August 18, 2009. These Riders came from all over the U.S., some from as far away as Hawaii. Their first stop was to refuel in Huber Heights. As they rolled into the gas station with a Huber Heights police escort, American Legion Family members from the Huber Heights Post 200, Vandalia Post 668, New Madison Post 245 and Fairborn Post 526 were waiting for those 250 riders. The goal of these volunteers was to aid in refueling. They went a step further and provided the riders with a snack, coffee from Starbucks and bottled water from Kroger's. Pam Bates, American Legion Auxiliary Past Department President from Unit 526 and the Third District, organized 20 volunteers and acquired all donated items for the refueling area. Their next stop was the National Museum of the Air Force. Several members of the riders stayed at the Museum for a short tour. Those that did a quick Museum tour were impressed and said they would be back in the future to spend more time. After this short stop, the Riders proceeded to Dignam-Whitmore Post 526 in Fairborn for lunch. They were met by the Fairborn Police Depart-ment and escorted into town. The Riders were presented with a Proclamation from Mayor Woodward declaring August 18, 2009 "Legacy Rider Day." National Commander David Rehbein was presented with a $1,000 check from Post 526. That check added to the already collected $86,000 for the Legacy Scholarship Fund from the night before. The Riders left with a police escort to the highway and citizens of Fairborn cheering them on. George Copfer, Past District Commander from Post 526 and the Third District, organized the volunteers for the lunch and the activities at the presentation. The Riders were met in Columbus with a police escort to guide them through Columbus on their way to their next rest stop in Pataskala. The purpose of the Legacy Run is to raise money for the Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. This fund was established to help the sons and daughters of military parents who lost their lives on or after 9/11. These scholarship funds assist in offsetting much of the rising cost of tuition and books being encountered by college students. Participants have raised over $1 million dollars on these Legacy runs and these funds are being distributed to applicants now. The goal for this year is $500,000. The American Legion Riders became an official program of the Legion in 2007 when the National Executive Committee unanimously approved Resolution 35 during its October meeting. Founded in 1993, Legion Riders has grown to more than 800 chapters at the Post, District and Department levels. The American Legion National Commander Dave Rehbein of Ames, Iowa, stated "Members of this Ohio American Legion Family are the kind of people who welcome this event and their volunteer base is strong." Congratulations to the Ohio Legacy Riders and
other members of the Legion Family for making this
event a success. Lake Milton Post 737 Riders garner $3,185 for Legacy Fund The American Legion Riders from Lake Milton Post 737 presented National Commander Dave Rehbein a total of $3,185 for the Legacy Fund during its run through Ohio in August. John Chittock, American Legion Riders Road Captain and Post 737 Chaplain presented the collective donations from Post 112 in Madison, Post 103 in Ashtabula, Post 151 in Conneaut, Post 166 in Alliance, Post 331 in Ravenna, Post 685 in Streetsboro and SAL Squadron 76 in Sebring. This is the third year the riders at Lake Milton have raised money for the fund and the second year that riders John Chittock and Johy Wyllie have ridden the entire route of the Legacy Run. |
