Ride stops including wreath-laying in Ohio, releasing 1,500 POW-MIA balloons.
The 10th Annual American Legion Legacy Run completed the second leg of this year’s ride from Indy to Baltimore on Monday with spectacular weather, scenic byways and warm hospitality across the state of Ohio.
We chalked up another 284 miles toward our final destination, with kickstands up out of Portsmouth, Ohio, Post 23 and headed through farmland and small Ohio towns to a gas stop at Hickory Grove Market in Vincent, Ohio. Once there, the advance team fueled everyone in 37 minutes, getting the Riders back on the road and headed to a lunch break at Beverly, Ohio, Post 389.
There, Post Commander Katie Wainwright, Past Post Commander/ALR Advisor Brad Webb and ALR Treasurer Bobby Pencock presented a donation of $20,000 to the Legacy Fund, raised by the ALR through a raffle in which the lucky winner rode off on a new motorcycle. This amount was supplemented by additional donations from Post 389, the SAL and the Auxiliary. An impressive achievement by the Legion family of Beverly Post 389!
Leaving Beverly, the route wound through rolling hills and sweeping turns, and then onto a stretch of highway leading to a needed gas stop at Strasburg, Ohio. Off again for a shorter leg, the ride arrived in Clinton, Ohio, where a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Ohio Veterans Memorial Park, home of the Ohio Veterans Memorial Wall, a 125-foot long installation of polished black granite, the west side of which contains the names of the 3,095 Ohioans who gave their lives during the war in Vietnam. The east side of the wall carries the names of the Ohio residents lost to date during the War on Terrorism. As a living memorial, plans are underway to include the names of those killed in the Korean War as well. The park also includes a memorial walkway and beautifully executed statues of a Gold Star Mother and Father. The Memorial Park, developed and maintained entirely through private donations, evokes the respect and honor our fallen heroes deserve.
Following the presentation of the colors, National Commander Michael D. Helm laid the wreath, assisted by Clinton Mayor Allen Knack, Department of Ohio Commander Jim Campbell and Ohio 14th District Commander Richard Masterson. Each of our wreath-laying ceremonies on this year’s Run have been ably assisted by the Color Guard organized by Ret. U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Ridenour of Tahlequah. Okla., Post 135 and bugler Rob Phelps of the Danville, Va. ALR. After brief remarks by Mayor Knack, the Legacy Run embarked on the final leg of the day, heading for Kent, Ohio.
Upon arrival at Post 496 in Kent, the Riders gathered for a group photo and the release of the POW-MIA balloon, which sent 1,500 red, white and blue balloons skyward – an uplifting sight for sure! Following a POW-MIA White Table ceremony led by Chief Road Captain Bob Sussan, a hearty spaghetti dinner was served, and everyone headed out to rest up for Day Three of the 2015 Legacy Run.
Donation total: 43,279.75 was donated on Monday, bringing the total to $331,695.56.
Click here for today’s leg of the Legacy Run.
- Riders