INDIANAPOLIS (August 4, 2014) – Hundreds of motorcyclists will show their support for the children of America’s fallen servicemembers when they embark on the ninth annual American Legion Legacy Run.
American Legion National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger will lead the American Legion Legacy Run from The American Legion national headquarters in Indianapolis to the 96th annual American Legion National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. later this month.
The 5-day journey will cover approximately 1,350 miles and cross through Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina as participants raise money and awareness for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship program, which helps fund college educations for the sons and daughters of military members who lost their lives while serving since 9/11.
The Legacy Run will begin in Indianapolis with a gathering of riders on Saturday, Aug.16 for safety training and banquet hosted by the Indiana American Legion and the Indiana American Legion Riders. Sponsored by USAA®, The Legacy Run is one of the largest multistate, multiday cross-country motorcycle events in the United States.
The Run officially begins Aug.17, with the Riders expected to arrive in Charlotte on the afternoon of Aug. 21.
“As an consequence of the hazardous nature of military service, many children of our active-duty military personnel are now members of single-parent families,” Dellinger said. “In some cases their chances to attend college have diminished. These children are entitled to receive some money from the government, but it is not nearly enough. We know we must assist. To us, it’s a sacred obligation.”
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Legion Ride 2-2-2-2-2
The Legacy Run will stop along the way for events arranged by American Legion posts and Legion Riders chapters along the route. Plans include lunches and dinners at American Legion posts, military- themed museums, and a special appearance at the American Legion Baseball World Series championship game on Aug. 19 in Shelby, N.C.
American Legion posts and American Legion Riders chapters along the route also play an important role planning rest stops, coordinating with local traffic officials and law enforcement officers, and helping with the logistics at a dozen or more refueling stops.
Registration is open to all as an additional fundraiser, even those who do not own motorcycles or who do not plan to participate. The first 600 registrations will receive the Run patch as well as a special mapbook with Rider travel information with routes, scheduled stops, timetables, daily maps and refueling locations.
Dellinger will be available throughout the for local media promotional events and to collect donations along the way. Upon arrival in Charlotte, the Riders will enjoy Tar Heel hospitality with American Legion Post 155 in Kings Mountain, N.C. for two days of group rides, visits to area American Legion posts, and a national American Legion Rider meeting at the Charlotte Convention Center. They will also lead the National Convention Parade on Aug. 24, through downtown Charlotte. Nearly 10,000 people each year attend the national convention.
Registration information is available at www.legion.org/riders.
The registration fees and generous support from USAA®, Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing® and other sponsors make the Legacy Run possible. Scholarship donations are not used. Every dollar donated is placed directly into The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. For information about the fund, visit www.legion.org/scholarships/legacy.
For more information, contact Bill Sloan, Assistant Director, Internal Affairs/ALR, PO Box 1055, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46206, tel. 317-630-1321, or email ia@legion.org.
John Raughter
Media & Communications, National Headquarters
Phone 317.630.1253 :: Fax 317.630.1368
