A spirited effort in Wisconsin

As Department of Wisconsin commander in 2014, Ken “Rhino” Rynes – who had ridden on all eight national Legacy Runs at the time – decided he wanted to do an in-state motorcycle ride to raise funds for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund.

So when current Department Commander Bob Shappell came to Rynes and asked him to head up a similar ride this year, Rynes was quick to say yes.

“It was humbling when Commander Shappell wanted to carry it on,” Rynes said. “We weren’t planning on doing two when we started. That’s how things go in life. Sometimes if it works well, you keep doing it.”

This year’s “Spirit of Wisconsin Ride” took place June 19-21 and covered nearly 700 miles across the state. Around 60 Legion Riders took part in the ride, which started with opening ceremonies in Mequon the night before the ride and then ended up at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King on June 21.

Shappell, who was a passenger on the entire ride, said the chance to raise money for the Legacy Fund was tough to pass up. “The Legacy Scholarship … is the one thing that made me decide to go beyond my own post,” he said. “ I’d lost some friends (in the military) who had kids. It’s been a passion of mine. I’m not a (motorcycle) rider, but as I’ve been going around talking to posts, I’ve told them, ‘It’s not just the Legion Riders. It’s all of us.’”

Shappell said the department went from donating around $15,000 to the Legacy Fund to $72,000. This year’s ride raised more than $27,000 during the three days to add to the total of $20,000 raised prior to that point for the fund.

“We had a stop where a guy was going by and asked about (the ride),” Shappell said. “As he drove away, a Rider said, ‘You can donate, and I’ll match whatever you give.’ He pulled out a $20 bill and gave it to us. That’s pretty amazing.”

Rynes said planning for this year’s ride started almost immediately after the 2014 ride concluded. He credited fellow Wisconsin Legion Rider and former Wisconsin State patrolman John Wolfe for working with dozens of law-enforcement agencies across the state to set up traffic help.

Having that kind of assistance, along with that of his wife Ann, helped Rynes lead two rides that have gone off pretty much without a hitch. “I hate to say it without coming off an arrogant, but the first one went perfect,” he said. “I’ve got to (give) credit to (National Riders Staff Liaison) Bill Sloan and the national staff. I just kind of mimicked what they did with our run booklet and everything. It made it real simple.

“This year, 80 percent of our riders were doing this ride for the first time. I think the fact that they hadn’t done it before, maybe their attention span was a little greater. It was really a special run for me. They really wanted to pay attention. People become complacent after they’ve done something a few times.”

Over the course of the three days, the ride made stops at Legion posts where they were greeted with meals and donations. Past Department Commander Paul Mathison, a member at Post 116 in Coon Valley, helped out when the ride stopped at his post for dinner June 19.

“It’s quite an honor for our post to have this,” Mathison said. “The community really appreciates it. People understand what the Legacy Run is about and are excited about it.”

Legion Rider Dave Rasmussen, a member of Palmer-Ritchie-Thomas Post 153 in Pittsville, took part in the ride because he said he wanted to represent the Eighth District. He said it was a “great ride” and thought the support the riders received was phenomenal.

“It’s exhilarating,” he said. “You go through towns and see the flags and people waving. It’s fantastic.”

Along the way, the ride made a stop in Menomonie. There, a woman was celebrating her 90th birthday; having gotten wind of the birthday party beforehand, the riders stopped by and serenaded the birthday girl with a chorus of “Happy Birthday to You.”

"That kind of exposure only helps the Legion while motivating its members," Rynes said. “We are definitely expanding the outreach of The American Legion. (And) we had two Riders from New Richmond who came up to me and said … this run has reinvigorated them. They’re going to take the lead in their area and make stuff happen. That’s the coolest story out of this.”