Legacy Run off to stellar start

Like thousands of other Legionnaires, American Legion National Commander Michael D. Helm has read or heard about, or has seen the successes American Legion Riders have achieved since their inception – and especially during the previous nine American Legion Legacy Runs.

But on a personal level, Helm has seen the dedication of the Riders since he took office during the 2014 National Convention in Charlotte.

“The Legion Riders have been absolutely awesome all year for me,” said Helm said during today's 2015 Legacy Run kickoff event at Kenneth N. Dowden Wayne Post 64 in Indianapolis. “Many of the departments I’ve been to, you’ve been out there riding ahead and leading the way. The great enthusiasm you’ve shown to my year as the national commander has been outstanding and overwhelming. And I want to thank the American Legion Riders for the great energy that you’ve brought to The American Legion family.”

Helm will travel with the Legacy Run, which departs Indianapolis Saturday morning and will arrive in the Baltimore area on Wednesday. He’ll ride on the back of a motorcycle for most of the ride, he said.

“You’re cause is very great – raising money for those who lost a mother or father in the current war on terrorism,” Helm told the Riders. “I want to thank you all … for all that you do, and especially for what you’re about to do over these next four days.

More than $74,000 was donated to the Legacy Fund at Post 64, including $10,000 from the hosts and $12,000 from the Indiana Blue Star Salute, which now has donated $100,000 over the past 10 years.

During the program, Post 64 Legionnaires presented an Honor and Remember Flag to Don and Janice Schauwecker, the parents of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Richard Blakely. A medic and member of Post 64, Blakely was killed in the line of duty in 2006 while serving in Iraq.

“You have to realize what (this) means,” Don said. “The biggest fear of every Gold Star (family) is that their sacrifices of their loved one will be forgotten. Every time we get a presentation like this, it helps us to know that you still remember. That’s important – more than you can ever believe.”

Dr. Bruce Heilman, a World War II Marine Corps veteran who completed a 6000-mile, 20-trek motorcycle ride last spring, also was honored during the program. Heilman, a Department of Virginia Legion Rider, will participate in this year’s Legacy Run.

“I’ve ridden 54,000 miles in the last five years, and I enjoy long rides,” Heilman said. “This is a prestigious one. I’m very excited about it. I enjoy riding in the camaraderie way. (Legion Riders) met me throughout the United States (last spring), led me into the big cities and really made it all possible. I learned to enjoy all of the people I met, so when they asked me to take this ride, I said, ‘That’s a great thing to do.’”

Click here to see an overview of the entire Legacy Run and click here to see Day 1 of the ride.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Legacy Scholarship

Legacy Scholarship

The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund helps ensure higher education is a possibility for children whose parents lost their lives while on duty since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

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