Legacy Run Day 1: Beautiful scenery and great support
Day One of the 10th Annual American Legion Legacy Run is in the books.
With anticipation rising, bikes staged, an early morning breakfast served at Kenneth N. Dowden Wayne Post 64, and a final briefing by the chief road captain, the Run left Indianapolis with kickstands up at 8 a.m. sharp for a scenic ride through the Indiana countryside to a quick gas stop at Erlanger, Ky., just long enough to say we visited the Bluegrass State.
The next leg took us on an Ohio Scenic Byway skirting the Ohio River and onto a stop at the Ohio Veterans Home in Georgetown, where the Riders had the privilege of meeting with many proud veterans of World War II and the Korean War. The residents were treated to a parade of saluting Legion Riders and a wreath-laying ceremony conducted by National Commander Michael D. Helm, who was assisted by Department of Ohio Commander Jim Campbell, First Vice Commander Ron Chapman, 4th District Commander Aaron R. Cunningham and Mike Baker, commander of Georgetown Post 180.
Lunch at the Veterans Home was highlighted by a surprise reunion when Legion Rider Bob Schnell of Indianapolis Post 500 was greeted by Greg Gregorio, a buddy from Helicopter Squadron 3 during their service together on the USS Intrepid. Schnell hadn't seen Gregorio in more than 49 years; memorable stories were swapped, and then it was back on the bikes and back to the Scenic Byway for a beautiful ride through some sweeping curves and country roads.
The ride through the town of Manchester, Ohio, was a great reminder of what this ride is all about: The streets were lined with hundreds of flag-waving supporters, the fire department created an archway with their ladder trucks and a huge American flag under which the Riders passed, and the small community of Manchester, its civic associations, churches and individual citizens – along American Legion Post 325 – presented a donation of $3,000 to the national commander at the end-of-day dinner.
The final leg of Day One led us to a wreath-laying ceremony at the Scioto County KIA MIA Memorial in Portsmouth, Ohio, where Mayor David Malone read a proclamation making August 23 “American Legion Legacy Run Day” in Portsmouth. The end-of-day dinner hosted by Portsmouth Post 23 featured a pig roast, followed by more donations received by Commander Helm. With 247 successful miles under our belts, and great support from law enforcement in Kentucky and throughout Ohio, we called it a day, and headed for a good night’s rest so we can ride for the children of the fallen again tomorrow.
Donation totals: With $195,214.36 raised prior to the Run, $67,959.45 donated in Indianapolis at the pre-ride event and $25,242 collected on Day 1, more than $288,000 has been collected so far.
To see today's route plan, click here.
