American Legion Riders

American Legion Legacy Run 2008
American Legion Rider, Public Information Officer Paul R. Bernard and National Commander Martin "Marty" Conatser are announcing the 2008 Legacy Run

Planners for The American Legion Legacy Run have announced the dates for the annual motorcycle fundraising run, now in its third year, from Indianapolis to The American Legion's national convention. Many of the participants from both the 2006 run to Salt Lake City and the 2007 run to Reno, Nevada are expected to return for the nearly 1,800-mile run to Phoenix, August 17-21, 2008.

American Legion National Commander Marty Conatser will kick-off The American Legion Legacy Run, which will begin with a national gathering of The American Legion Riders at American Legion Post 64, 602 S. Holt Road, in Indianapolis. The riders will depart on Sunday, August 17, 2008, and thunder through Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico to Phoenix and the site of the 90th American Legion National Convention.

The riders, many of them members of The American Legion Family, will journey for five grueling days to make possible a college education for the children of comrades who died defending our freedoms since the attacks of September 11, 2001.

According to Conatser, the American Legion Riders raises the public's awareness of the honorable nature of military service and is "one way to show The American Legion's deep appreciation for those who paid the ultimate price for freedom."

The goal for 2008 is to raise at least $350,000 for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund.
"As an unfortunate consequence of America's war on terror, many children of our active-duty military personnel are now members of single-parent families," Conatser said. "In most cases, this also means their chances to attend college have greatly diminished. Children of military personnel who die on active service are entitled to receive some money toward a college education. It is the least a grateful nation can do."

The American Legion Legacy Fund has already distributed $74,000 in critically needed scholarship assistance to students enrolled in college level courses since 2004, including $36,000 in 2007.

"We will ensure that higher education will be a reality for these families," Conatser said. "Providing for the children our military personnel have left behind is our civic duty, and an education is a powerful way to show our thanks."

The commander encouraged motorcycle enthusiasts from all parts of the United States to join The American Legion Legacy Run either in Indianapolis or along the route.

"The ride is open to all who are interested in supporting these children. We will pause along the way for rest stops, meals and other events and services arranged by American Legion posts," Conatser said. Tentative plans include possible visits to military installations and a variety of communities in states along the route.

The American Legion Riders and American Legion posts nationally play a crucial role by conducting continuous fundraising runs and charity rides, operating refueling stops, coordinating with local law enforcement officials, and supporting The American Legion Legacy Run with meals and water. All who register for the ride receive the 2008 Run patch set as well as a mapbook with information about exact routes, scheduled stops, timetables, daily maps, and checkpoint locations.

The national headquarters has released a promotional video asking American Legion posts and riders chapters to conduct local or regional fundraising efforts on behalf of The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. Materials and information tailored specifically for fundraising is available from The American Legion at the contact listed below.

Information and online registration will open in January 2008 at www.legion.org/legacyrun. "We encourage all interested Legionnaires and indeed all supporters to register in support of the Run," said Conatser, "to help us help the children of our fallen heroes."

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