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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
American Legacy Run to Honor
Military
INDIANAPOLIS (August 12, 2008) Hundreds of motorcyclists will
take the concept of “veterans helping veterans” to a new level next
week when The American Legion Riders kick off the third annual
American Legion Legacy Run to raise money for the American Legion
Legacy Scholarship program.
The
riders, who are wartime veterans themselves, will travel 1,800 miles
to make possible a college education for the children of those who
have died defending our freedoms since September 11, 2001.
National Commander of The
American Legion Marty Conatser will lead the American Legion Legacy
Run which will begin in Indianapolis and run through seven states to
the 90th Annual National American Legion Convention in
Phoenix that convenes on August 26.
According to Conatser,
the American Legion Legacy Scholarship program is one way for all
Americans to show their deep appreciation for those who paid the
ultimate price for freedom.
“As
an unfortunate consequence of America’s war on terror, many children
of our military personnel are now members of single-parent
families,” he said. “In most cases, this also means their chances to
attend college have greatly diminished. Children of our heroes who
die on active duty are entitled to receive some money toward a
college education, but it is not enough.”
The
Riders goal is to raise $350,000 for the American Legacy Scholarship
Fund.
“We
are raising funds to ensure that higher education will be a reality
for these families,” Conatser said. “Providing for the
children of our military personnel left behind is our civic duty,
and an education is a powerful way to show our
thanks.”
According to American
Legacy Run event planners, more than 200 motorcycle riders and 65
passengers are expected to make the entire five-day journey.
Legionnaires at posts along the route, which will be run along the
famous Route 66, will provide support in the form of food and
bottled water.
Conatser also asks
American Legion posts and Legion Riders from all over the country to
conduct a national fundraising effort on behalf of The American
Legacy Scholarship Fund.
“This is
something that all Americans can support,” said Conatser. “If
you ride a motorcycle, join us. If you don’t, become a ‘non-rider
supporter,’ get your patch and help these children.”
Conatser will
stop in every state to collect donations from riders, American
Legion family members, business leaders and members of the public
along the way. Stops and events planned
include:
Saturday, August 16 –
Pre-Run Rally - Indianapolis.
Sunday, August 17 -
Indianapolis to Saint Robert (Ft. Leonard Wood) Mo.
Monday, August 18 - St.
Robert, Mo. to Oklahoma City.
Tuesday, August 19 -
Oklahoma City to Tucumcari, N.M.
Wednesday, August 20 -
Tucumcari, N.M. to Gallup, N.M.
Thursday, August 21 -
Gallup, N.M. to Phoenix/Tempe, Ariz.
On Friday, Aug. 22, at 9:30 a.m., Conatser will hold a special
welcoming ceremony on the steps of the Phoenix Convention
Center. Afterwards the riders will meet in a national American
Legion Riders conference meeting at the Convention
Center.
A small
delegation of American Legion Riders will formally present the
national donations for the American Legacy Scholarship Fund directly
to Cmdr. Conatser onstage at the National
Convention.
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Registration information is available
at http://www.legion.org/programs/legacyrun/overview
All who
register, including riders and non rider supporters, will receive a
souvenir map book and vest patch.
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Contact: Bill Sloan, national liaison,
American Legion Riders, (317) 630-1321. wsloan@legion.org. See new
blog site at www.legacyrun.blogspot.com.
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