Follow this link to check out the Kansas Legacy Run Blog:
www.chrisk153.blogspot.com
Chris Krueger, Co-Director
American Legion Riders Chapter 180
Great Bend, KS
Monday, August 17, 2009
Legacy Run Leaders take ABATE of Indiana Advanced Riders Class
As a requirement this year all Road Captains, Asst Road Captains and Tail Gunners went through an ABATE Group Riding instruction and abreviated Advanced Riders Class.
One of the modules was to lift a 900 lb Yamaha Venture off the ground. This is an interesting technique and even a 5' tall 58 year old woman can get a big 'ol motorcycle off the ground! The pictures tell the tale...
Set your feet, turn the handlebars to the left, put your behind into the seat sort of low so your legs are bent - remember - use your legs...not your back then lift!
Grit your teeth and lift some more! Keep pushing with your legs and walk your feet closer to the bike and it begins to rise!
When you get it to a point where it is balancing you put the kick stand down and voila - the bike is up!
This was a great refresher for all of us and we are ready to head out tomorrow. This afternoon at 4:30 we will have our first 'All Riders' meeting. It has been great seeing everyone again this year.
Flamingo Tina signing off.
One of the modules was to lift a 900 lb Yamaha Venture off the ground. This is an interesting technique and even a 5' tall 58 year old woman can get a big 'ol motorcycle off the ground! The pictures tell the tale...
Set your feet, turn the handlebars to the left, put your behind into the seat sort of low so your legs are bent - remember - use your legs...not your back then lift!
Grit your teeth and lift some more! Keep pushing with your legs and walk your feet closer to the bike and it begins to rise!
When you get it to a point where it is balancing you put the kick stand down and voila - the bike is up!
This was a great refresher for all of us and we are ready to head out tomorrow. This afternoon at 4:30 we will have our first 'All Riders' meeting. It has been great seeing everyone again this year.
Flamingo Tina signing off.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
ALR Legacy Run Blogs
If you are running a Legacy Run blog for your local ALR, please email your link to me.
flamingotina@gmail.com
Also, if you have something you would like to post, email me and I'll make a post to this blog. There are people who follow this run who would like to hear about other groups...
The Road Captain, Asst. Road Captain, and Tail Gunner meeting went well at Post 64. Billy Johnson, Marti Justice, and Bill Sloan have done another stellar job this year. "Uncle Dick" Woods will be our Head Road Captain again this year and other than that it looks like all we need are the 700+ riders that have registered so we can leave on Tuesday!
Signing off: Flamingo Tina
flamingotina@gmail.com
Also, if you have something you would like to post, email me and I'll make a post to this blog. There are people who follow this run who would like to hear about other groups...
The Road Captain, Asst. Road Captain, and Tail Gunner meeting went well at Post 64. Billy Johnson, Marti Justice, and Bill Sloan have done another stellar job this year. "Uncle Dick" Woods will be our Head Road Captain again this year and other than that it looks like all we need are the 700+ riders that have registered so we can leave on Tuesday!
Signing off: Flamingo Tina
Riders converge on Indianapolis
Mike Kirchoff "Goat" from Florida and "Bubble Head" from Georgia discussing last year's ride! Lunch consisted of lots of conversation about Army vs Marines vs Navy vs Air Force (as usual!) and of course lots of talk about each Legion Rider Chapter.
Hopefully Claudette (tropical storm in the gulf) will not bring a lot of rain for our ride...only time will tell!
FlamingoTina signing off
Thursday, August 13, 2009
And so it begins...
Mike and Tina Kirchof departed Panama City, FL this morning to begin our trek to Indianapolis. We left at 6:00 am and had a great ride up through Florida into Alabama. We hit fog in the low areas but it was blessedly cool!
We made it through Tennessee and into Kentucky before stopping for the night. We will get to Ohio tomorrow to pick up our friend (Dennis) who will be Mike's sweep in our group.
The VFW in Port St Joe donated $500.00 just as we were leaving so we have more money! The St. Andrews Bay Civic Club gave $500.00 and the Det at Tyndall (Red Horse Squadron) cooked burgers and made $447. In all we have $1,447.00 with us to deliver for the Legacy Scholarship Fund.
It would be great to be able to see all the different groups from the air getting ready to converge on Indianapolis (or other points along the route). This is always a time when old friends get back together and ride for a great cause. It is always with great pride that we ride North to gather and ride as a group - American Legion Riders one and all.
Ride safe, everyone and we'll see you on the road!
Signing off: Flamingo Tina
We made it through Tennessee and into Kentucky before stopping for the night. We will get to Ohio tomorrow to pick up our friend (Dennis) who will be Mike's sweep in our group.
The VFW in Port St Joe donated $500.00 just as we were leaving so we have more money! The St. Andrews Bay Civic Club gave $500.00 and the Det at Tyndall (Red Horse Squadron) cooked burgers and made $447. In all we have $1,447.00 with us to deliver for the Legacy Scholarship Fund.
It would be great to be able to see all the different groups from the air getting ready to converge on Indianapolis (or other points along the route). This is always a time when old friends get back together and ride for a great cause. It is always with great pride that we ride North to gather and ride as a group - American Legion Riders one and all.
Ride safe, everyone and we'll see you on the road!
Signing off: Flamingo Tina
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
MD ALR 116 to Shanksville, PA
The MD ALR Post 116 will be departing Wednesday August 19th from Reisterstown, MD heading to Flight 93 Memorial in PA.
We will travel I-70, I-76 & Rte 30. Anyone interested in tagging along please rsvp at squid126@yahoo.com
We will travel I-70, I-76 & Rte 30. Anyone interested in tagging along please rsvp at squid126@yahoo.com
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
President Obama visits with Legion National Commander David K. Rehbein
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VA healthcare will not be endangered by national system, says President Obama
Promise made during private meeting with National Commander of The American Legion
WASHINGTON (Aug. 4, 2009) – President Obama, meeting privately with the leader of nation’s largest veterans service organization this morning, pledged to keep the medical care system administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs essentially as is – quelling fears that VA healthcare would be absorbed into a national health care system.
“(I) got his very strong assurance the VA as our veterans know it will continue to exist,” said National Commander David K. Rehbein. “It will not be diluted or folded into some sort of national system and that the folks who go to the VA…that will be considered their insurance, so any insurance requirements (will be met) simply by being enrolled in the VA.”
Another topic discussed during the one-on-one meeting in the Oval Office was Medicare reimbursement to the VA, a proposal long championed by The American Legion. This proposed practice would require Medicare to pay for care provided at Department VA medical facilities to Medicare beneficiaries – that is, eligible veterans over the age of 65 with non-service related injuries, illnesses and conditions. Currently, Medicare is precluded by statute from doing this.
“Medicare reimbursement to VA would be a boon to veterans in that it would encourage them to take advantage of what we consider the best care anywhere,” said Rehbein. It would also generate much-needed revenue for the VA.” The “Medicare VA Reimbursement Act of 2009” resulted from a discussion Rehbein had with House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) at the Legion’s DC headquarters just three weeks ago. “I am pleased that Chairman Filner visited with us and then took prompt action,” Rehbein said.
Obama and Rehbein also discussed the positive effects that the enhanced educational benefits contained within the newly enacted and American Legion-pioneered Post 9/11 GI Bill will have on the veterans community and the nation as a whole.
The vexing problem of a dramatically growing backlog of VA benefits claims was also considered by the two. Rehbein said he feels the president “fully appreciates” its gravity and will do what he can to aid in its solution.
Rehbein, obviously pleased with the meeting’s outcome, characterized the 25-minute White House chat as “very friendly…conversational in style” in which “issues were discussed rather than positions being presented.”
With a current membership of 2.5 million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and the mentoring of youth. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.
-30-
Media contacts: Craig Roberts, (202) 263-2982, Cell (202) 406-088 or Joe March, (317) 630-1253; Cell (317) 748-1926. A high resolution photo of Nat. Cmdr. Rehbein is available at www.legion.org.
VA healthcare will not be endangered by national system, says President Obama
Promise made during private meeting with National Commander of The American Legion
WASHINGTON (Aug. 4, 2009) – President Obama, meeting privately with the leader of nation’s largest veterans service organization this morning, pledged to keep the medical care system administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs essentially as is – quelling fears that VA healthcare would be absorbed into a national health care system.
“(I) got his very strong assurance the VA as our veterans know it will continue to exist,” said National Commander David K. Rehbein. “It will not be diluted or folded into some sort of national system and that the folks who go to the VA…that will be considered their insurance, so any insurance requirements (will be met) simply by being enrolled in the VA.”
Another topic discussed during the one-on-one meeting in the Oval Office was Medicare reimbursement to the VA, a proposal long championed by The American Legion. This proposed practice would require Medicare to pay for care provided at Department VA medical facilities to Medicare beneficiaries – that is, eligible veterans over the age of 65 with non-service related injuries, illnesses and conditions. Currently, Medicare is precluded by statute from doing this.
“Medicare reimbursement to VA would be a boon to veterans in that it would encourage them to take advantage of what we consider the best care anywhere,” said Rehbein. It would also generate much-needed revenue for the VA.” The “Medicare VA Reimbursement Act of 2009” resulted from a discussion Rehbein had with House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) at the Legion’s DC headquarters just three weeks ago. “I am pleased that Chairman Filner visited with us and then took prompt action,” Rehbein said.
Obama and Rehbein also discussed the positive effects that the enhanced educational benefits contained within the newly enacted and American Legion-pioneered Post 9/11 GI Bill will have on the veterans community and the nation as a whole.
The vexing problem of a dramatically growing backlog of VA benefits claims was also considered by the two. Rehbein said he feels the president “fully appreciates” its gravity and will do what he can to aid in its solution.
Rehbein, obviously pleased with the meeting’s outcome, characterized the 25-minute White House chat as “very friendly…conversational in style” in which “issues were discussed rather than positions being presented.”
With a current membership of 2.5 million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and the mentoring of youth. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.
-30-
Media contacts: Craig Roberts, (202) 263-2982, Cell (202) 406-088 or Joe March, (317) 630-1253; Cell (317) 748-1926. A high resolution photo of Nat. Cmdr. Rehbein is available at www.legion.org.
Ride Plan from FLORIDA
Greetings,
We are 16 days out before we depart for our journey to Louisville. Mickey and Vinnie have volunteer to be our road captains for our trip. They will start sending out e-mails for things to think about for the trip and finalize the route. Some of you are pros for long distant rides and some this will be the first time. Right now we have 12 bikes and one car, no trailer.
Depart Wednesday, 19th August Jacksonville (Post 316 Atlantic Beach) 9am Arrive Post 380 in Charlotte, NC (4235 W. Tyvola Rd., Charlotte, NC, 28208) the hotel 2 miles from the Post. Rooms numbers have been requested waiting on a response.
Depart Thursday, 20th Charlotte, NC 9am
Arrive Charleston, WV 6pm (meet the group)
Make reservations In accordance with Legacy Run, they have rooms reserved for the run.
http://www.legion.org/programs/legacyrun/lodging
Depart Friday 21st Charleston, WV (Follow Legacy schedule to Louisville)
Arrive Louisville, Ky Arrival Ceremony
Make reservations In accordance with Legacy Run, they have rooms reserved for the run.
Sat. Aug. 22 to Sun Aug 23, 2009
- Rider activities, runs sponsored by area ALR chapters, and other events
- 91st Annual National Convention Parade
Depart Monday, August 25th 9am Louisville, Ky
Arrive Chattanooga
Post 95, East Ridge, TN will be our host. I’ll call them tomorrow to give the number of rooms.
Depart Tuesday August 26th 9am
Arrive Lake City 4pm - end of ride folks break off from there or spend the night
Please forward this e-mail to folks within your chapter who are on the master list.
Ride Safe,
Mike "Smiley" Amig
American Legion
Department of Florida
American Legion Riders Chairmen
flalr@comcast.net
904-742-0841 (c)
We are 16 days out before we depart for our journey to Louisville. Mickey and Vinnie have volunteer to be our road captains for our trip. They will start sending out e-mails for things to think about for the trip and finalize the route. Some of you are pros for long distant rides and some this will be the first time. Right now we have 12 bikes and one car, no trailer.
Depart Wednesday, 19th August Jacksonville (Post 316 Atlantic Beach) 9am Arrive Post 380 in Charlotte, NC (4235 W. Tyvola Rd., Charlotte, NC, 28208) the hotel 2 miles from the Post. Rooms numbers have been requested waiting on a response.
Depart Thursday, 20th Charlotte, NC 9am
Arrive Charleston, WV 6pm (meet the group)
Make reservations In accordance with Legacy Run, they have rooms reserved for the run.
http://www.legion.org/programs/legacyrun/lodging
Depart Friday 21st Charleston, WV (Follow Legacy schedule to Louisville)
Arrive Louisville, Ky Arrival Ceremony
Make reservations In accordance with Legacy Run, they have rooms reserved for the run.
Sat. Aug. 22 to Sun Aug 23, 2009
- Rider activities, runs sponsored by area ALR chapters, and other events
- 91st Annual National Convention Parade
Depart Monday, August 25th 9am Louisville, Ky
Arrive Chattanooga
Post 95, East Ridge, TN will be our host. I’ll call them tomorrow to give the number of rooms.
Depart Tuesday August 26th 9am
Arrive Lake City 4pm - end of ride folks break off from there or spend the night
Please forward this e-mail to folks within your chapter who are on the master list.
Ride Safe,
Mike "Smiley" Amig
American Legion
Department of Florida
American Legion Riders Chairmen
flalr@comcast.net
904-742-0841 (c)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Military and veterans health care should not be part of any national health care bill, says The American Legion
WASHINGTON (July 22, 2009) – The national commander of the nation’s largest veterans service organization has reacted to tonight’s urgent call by President Barack Obama for national health care reform.
“While The American Legion appreciates the complexity of the healthcare reform challenge facing the President and Congress,” said David K. Rehbein, “on behalf of our nation's 26-million veterans and the nearly two million personnel now on active duty in more than 130 countries, we urge Congress to ensure that veterans’ and military health care not be part of any national health care bill. They should be exempt in the legislation.”
Rehbein added, “Our nation must maintain its long standing tradition that veterans’ and military health care systems will remain independent and focused on our most deserving citizens.
“The American Legion has a proud tradition of securing and preserving the earned benefits of America’s veterans,” Rehbein said. “Ensuring timely access to quality healthcare for today’s military and veterans is of paramount concern. These are the citizens who have borne our battles in previous wars as they still are in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have earned our care the hard way. We, as a nation, have an obligation to ensure that their healthcare is not compromised,” he concluded.
With a current membership of 2.5 million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and the mentoring of youth. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.
-30-
Media contacts: Craig Roberts, (202) 263-2982, Cell (202) 406-0887 or Joe March, (317) 630-1253; Cell (317) 748-1926. A high resolution photo of Nat. Cmdr. Rehbein is available at www.legion.org.
WASHINGTON (July 22, 2009) – The national commander of the nation’s largest veterans service organization has reacted to tonight’s urgent call by President Barack Obama for national health care reform.
“While The American Legion appreciates the complexity of the healthcare reform challenge facing the President and Congress,” said David K. Rehbein, “on behalf of our nation's 26-million veterans and the nearly two million personnel now on active duty in more than 130 countries, we urge Congress to ensure that veterans’ and military health care not be part of any national health care bill. They should be exempt in the legislation.”
Rehbein added, “Our nation must maintain its long standing tradition that veterans’ and military health care systems will remain independent and focused on our most deserving citizens.
“The American Legion has a proud tradition of securing and preserving the earned benefits of America’s veterans,” Rehbein said. “Ensuring timely access to quality healthcare for today’s military and veterans is of paramount concern. These are the citizens who have borne our battles in previous wars as they still are in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have earned our care the hard way. We, as a nation, have an obligation to ensure that their healthcare is not compromised,” he concluded.
With a current membership of 2.5 million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and the mentoring of youth. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.
-30-
Media contacts: Craig Roberts, (202) 263-2982, Cell (202) 406-0887 or Joe March, (317) 630-1253; Cell (317) 748-1926. A high resolution photo of Nat. Cmdr. Rehbein is available at www.legion.org.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Western Legacy Run to National Convention a go!
OK, looks like this thing is going to happen. Feel free to pass this on to others that would like to join in. If you know Riders from the west wanting to join in let me know ASAP. The final route is flexible at this time and we may want to hook up with another group along the way. Looks like we may be going by St.Louis and grabbing a few. Who cares what direction, it's all about the fun and the cause.
Remember that you must register with the National ride to play along. (waivers and all that stuff)
If anybody has more info on what Stony had set up PLEASE pass that on as well. Time is short and no need to re-invent the wheel. This is his dream and I would like to follow through with it for him.
Also, I have two PE Riders (confirmed) in my group doing this thing. If your post would like us to personally deliver your donations to national, we would be honored to do so. Just let me know and get them, in a sealed envelope, with an amount and post identification on the front to me. National seems to like an informal breakdown of how you raised the funds and names and addresses of any large donors you might have (they may send a personal "thank you" to them). Just put that in the envelope and let them worry about the TMI thing. Promote your post, promote this project and thank your donors.
Let's keep this cause going and have some fun along the way.
THX
&
Shiny Side Up
Todd Harris
American Legion Riders
Director, AZ Post 86
Pony Express Messenger
SoundAttitudes@frontiernet.net
Remember that you must register with the National ride to play along. (waivers and all that stuff)
If anybody has more info on what Stony had set up PLEASE pass that on as well. Time is short and no need to re-invent the wheel. This is his dream and I would like to follow through with it for him.
Also, I have two PE Riders (confirmed) in my group doing this thing. If your post would like us to personally deliver your donations to national, we would be honored to do so. Just let me know and get them, in a sealed envelope, with an amount and post identification on the front to me. National seems to like an informal breakdown of how you raised the funds and names and addresses of any large donors you might have (they may send a personal "thank you" to them). Just put that in the envelope and let them worry about the TMI thing. Promote your post, promote this project and thank your donors.
Let's keep this cause going and have some fun along the way.
THX
&
Shiny Side Up
Todd Harris
American Legion Riders
Director, AZ Post 86
Pony Express Messenger
SoundAttitudes@frontiernet.net
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Progressive Motorcycle Insurance signs on as Legacy Run Supporter
Our thanks to the men and women at Progressive Insurance, our newest American Legion Legacy Run supporters.
Here's your pop quiz of the day, and it's not an easy one:
"What is the make of motorcycle featured at the top of the page of the Progress Motorycle Insurance website www.motorcycle.progressive.com?"
First THREE correct answers emailed to legionriders@legion.org (AWACS) gets a free 2006 original-issue American Legion Legacy Run patch. Don't forget to include your mailing address.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
ALR in IRAQ
I have attached a picture of SFC Andy Swenson stationed in Iraq who also is a member of American Legion Riders Post 298, Battle Creek, MI. Although Andy could not attend our events he keeps the mission of the Riders in his actions in Iraq. Andy is missed very much by his fellow Riders, including his wife Jen Swenson. Jen is prior Army herself and has been in charge of the home front while Andy is away. He will return home sometime later this summer for a short leave then it's back to business.
Tom Starkweather, Director
American Legion Riders
Post 298 Battle Creek, MI
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Legacy Run Roommates Needed?
Several Riders have contacted me offering either to share a hotel room with one or more "roommates", or who don't want to pay for a room but are willing to share the costs on the Legacy Run. Please feel free to use this forum (click on comments link below) to leave your contact information if you would like to participate in this cost-sharing arrangement!
See www.legion.org, or our eNewsletters link to the right, for lodging information.
Ride safe and see you all in five weeks. Total registration count now (July 11) is 377 motorcycles with 76 passengers. Can we reach 500?
AWACS
Bill Sloan
Indianapolis
See www.legion.org, or our eNewsletters link to the right, for lodging information.
Ride safe and see you all in five weeks. Total registration count now (July 11) is 377 motorcycles with 76 passengers. Can we reach 500?
AWACS
Bill Sloan
Indianapolis
Monday, July 6, 2009
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