Shatner, Riders talk Legacy Fund

Shatner, Riders talk Legacy Fund

Entertainment icon William Shatner joined American Legion Riders on the airwaves Sunday to discuss last summer's Rivet Ride, The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund and other Legion programs. The group appeared on American Warrior Radio Sunday afternoon.

Last summer, Shatner left Chicago and headed west on the Rivet Ride to promote a newly designed motorcycle, the Rivet, which was a collaboration between himself and Rivet Motors. Mechanical issues with the Rivet forced Shatner and his wife, Liz, to make the ride on a Harley-Davidson trike. Over the course of eight days, Shatner and his group rode through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada before wrapping up in Los Angeles.

Riding along with Shatner were American Legion Riders, some who went the entire distance with Shatner and others who would meet up with the ride along the way to provide an escort. Shatner used stops along the route – which included Legion posts – to raise awareness about the Legion’s Legacy Fund, a scholarship program set up to provide college financial assistance to the children of U.S. servicemembers killed in the line of duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

On Sunday, Shatner called the Legion Riders who participated in the ride "extraordinary individuals," and looked back fondly on the ride itself. "It was a journey that was so filled with so many emotions," he said. "Meeting all the veterans of the different wars. Raising funds. Meeting the kids and getting to know the vets. It was eight days of hard work, but incredibly exhilarating."

Bill Sloan, assistant director of the Legion's Internal Affairs Division, also was on the program, as were fellow Legion Riders Mick Sobczak, Roy Castaneda and John Moffitt. Sloan said the purpose of the ride, from the Legion perspective, was to "shine a big spotlight with a celebrity like William Shatner about the existence of the (Legacy Fund)."

To listen to the complete program, click here.