Registration Now Open for 2009

Latest news and developments for the 2009 American Legion Legacy Run:

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN at www.legion.org, or copy this link into your browser: http://www.legion.org/documents/legion/pdf/legacyrunregister_09.pdf

The initial cage run is scheduled next week (March 6-8). Run planning team will depart Indianapolis on Friday, March 6, and run the entire route by car. Team will have a chance to see road conditions, look at possible fuel/rest stops, consider alternate routes, points of interest, lodging and hotels, and meet with American Legion Riders and American Legion post officials along the 1,000 mile route.

More to come. Stay tuned.

Bill Sloan
American Legion Legacy Run

Legion Riders escort National Commander through Georgia

On Friday, January 30th, a large group of Legion Riders from Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina escorted National Commander Rehbein through Georgia on his visit to that great state.

'Sarge' out of Augusta welcomes Mike 'Patches' Kirchoff in Albany, GA. 'Papa Joe' and his crew rode out of Valdosta, and others joined to re-create the Legion Rider escort that usually happens in August.

'Flamingo Tina' and 'Patches' Kirchoff rode up from Panama City, FL for the mini-reunion of American Legion Legacy riders. It was an honor to ride in support of Commander David Rehbein and Department of Georgia Commander Fae Casper.

Many of us are already planning our annual pilgrimage to Indianapolis to participate in the upcoming American Legion Legacy Run. We are planning fund raisers and getting donations so we do not show up empty handed!

Ride Plan from ARIZONA. Want to join us?

Dear Bill

It is possible that we can get some riders from California, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah to sign up and ride with the Arizona riders if we let them know that an organised ride is leaving Arizona?

When you get everything set would you include the following on the Legacy Run web page.

There is a Legacy Run departing from Post 40 in Chino Valley Arizona on Monday August 17th. The riders will arrive at the convention site on Fri. the 21st. Any riders from neighboring states that would like to join this group please contact Stony Monday. stonymonday@hotmail.com

Thanks!

Ride Hard - Live Brave
Stony Monday

The American Legion Legacy Run -- 2009

The fourth annual American Legion Legacy Run motorcycle tour is scheduled for Aug. 18-23, starting in Indianapolis and ending in Louisville, Ky., site of the Legion’s 91st National Convention. The Legacy Run raises money for academic scholarships awarded to children of servicemembers killed in the war on terror.
For the first time, the Legacy Run will head east, moving from Indiana into Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and into Kentucky, arriving Aug. 21 in Louisville (final route planning is under way). After completing a 1,200-mile trip, riders will take part in various Legion activities before leading the national convention’s parade Aug. 23.
Online registration opens March 15 on the Legion’s national Web site (www.legion.org). Participants should consider travel times to and from Indianapolis and Louisville as they mark their calendars. The preliminary travel plan is:

• The American Legion Legacy Run will assemble on Monday, Aug. 17, at Indiana’s Wayne Post 64, 601 S. Holt Rd, Indianapolis.
• Riders will depart Post 64 early on Tuesday, Aug. 18, and move east along Interstate 70 on the first leg of the journey.
• The Legacy Run finishes at the end of the parade route in Louisville. Riders may wish to stay there for the convention, Aug. 23-27. Legion posts in northern Kentucky and southern Indiana have also offered to host events and tours for visiting Legacy Run participants.

For additional information and online registration, visit www.legion.org (click on Legion Programs) or contact Bill Sloan, assistant director, Membership and Internal Affairs, at wsloan@legion.org.

Heroes to Hometowns

National Commander Special ALR Representatives Named

The American Legion has announced the appointments of Bill Kaledas (MI), and Terry Woodburn (IL), as National Commander Liaisons to The American Legion’s Internal Affairs Commission. Both experienced riders, Kaledas (Michigan Post/Chapter 396) and Woodburn (Illinois Post/Chapter 624) also have extensive leadership experience with mainstream American Legion and American Legion Rider activities.Kaledas has served as a post commander and post adjutant. A member of American Legion Post 396 in Garden City, Michigan, he was one of the original founders of The American Legion Riders and served as the commander of Post 396 during the time the first American Legion Riders chapter was formed in 1993. He was instrumental in helping to build the Riders nationally. Kaledas has also served as mayor of Garden City, Michigan, during his nearly 30 years of American Legion membership.Woodburn has also served as a post commander and post adjutant. He worked at the Legion state headquarters in Bloomington from 1981 through March of 1983, and then the next 16 years in Indianapolis working at the National Headquarters of the American Legion in the Americanism and Children & Youth Division. Woodburn assumed the duties of Department Adjutant of The American Legion of Illinois as of January 1st, 2000. He is a 37-year member of The American Legion and a veteran of the U.S. Army from 1966 through 1972. He has been a motorcycle rider since 1967, and the State President of the Illinois Legion Riders for five years.Both Kaledas and Woodburn have served since 2007 on the National Legion Riders Oversight Board."I am pleased to welcome Bill and Terry as the first special American Legion Rider National Liaisons to our commission," said Larry J. Besson, the chairman of The American Legion’s National Internal Affairs Commission. “They will bring extensive knowledge of The American Legion Rider's structure, history, unique challenges, and vision to the national headquarters, as well as outstanding expertise and demonstrated personal leadership."Kaledas and Woodburn will represent The American Legion Rider community for all matters referred to the Internal Affairs Commission regarding The American Legion Riders. The Commission or one of its subcommittees will study and make recommendations to the National Executive Committee or The National Convention delegates on resolutions submitted from the various departments on any matter related to The American Legion Riders.“Now the American Legion Riders have a strong voice at the table,” added John W. Querfeld, Director, Internal Affairs. “With the growth of The American Legion Riders to nearly 1,000 chapters worldwide, it was appropriate to bring two long-time riders as consultants to the national level of the Legion.”For additional information contact Bill Sloan, Assistant Director, Membership and Internal Affairs, at wsloan@legion.org.