Post 500 Hosts Legacy Run Departure(posted Aug 18) More than 100 bikers representing American Legion posts from all over the country arrived at the Speedway American Legion Post 500 to take a parade lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of the festivities starting their Legacy Run to Reno on August 19. Veterans, sons of veterans and Buster the Biker dog will be part of the biking entourage. The event will even include National Commander Paul A. Morin, who will travel by side car to raise money for soldiers who have died since 9/11. The object of the 2007 Legacy Run is to raise $250,000 in scholarship funds for those deceased soldiers' children. Pat Phillips, director of the American Legion Riders (ALR) of Post 500, said the local chapter started in 2002. It was the third chapter in the state to form a riders group. It takes 7 riders to start a chapter. He said Avon is currently trying to form a riders group and he expects some attrition from his group when that happens. Phillips is grateful for the Speedway's consent to allow the riders to take a lap around the track. Phillips is one of the sons' of veterans. He admitted he first joined the post to play darts but he soon discovered that the legion was like an extended family to him as he is now serving his ninth year as an officer. State Director Bob Schnell said he lobbied to have the 500 post as the hosting site for the Legacy Run. The riders are expected to arrive in Reno on August 24 in time for the American Legion National Riders Rally on the following day and the National American Legion Convention Parade on August 26. Medal of Honor recipient Gary Wetzel displayed an act of service before self as he plans to ride to Reno. Wetzel lost his arm while serving in Vietnam. (His story can be read here) "I am here for the kids. We preach about America's future is our youth and now we are really doing something to help them," he said. Some of the riders discussed how they would have sore rear ends by the time they arrived in Reno. "We have to do it for the kids," Wetzel said. Wetzel was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon Johnson at the White House in 1968. |
|
