Maryland’s Gold Star Legacy Run raises near $191,000 for the Veterans & Children Foundation.
Through its first nine Gold Star Legacy Runs, The American Legion Department of Maryland had raised $765,000, first for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund, and then $155,000 last year for the Veterans & Children Foundation (VCF).
Sons of The American Legion Past National Commander Joe Gladden, the ride’s co-chairman and founder, set a goal for $235,000 this year in order to hit an even $1 million. That total didn’t happen, but there was no disappointment for Gladden or any of its other participants when the final tally was added up Sunday.
The top contributor to the Legion’s national Legacy Run the past two years looks to be vying for that again this August at The American Legion National Convention in Tampa. Leading up to and over the four-day, 786-mile ride, the department has now raised nearly $191,000 this year for the VCF.
“It’s been an incredible, incredible, incredible weekend,” Gladden said. “This was the first time we’ve done four days, and this has truly been a great experience for me. And I feel it’s probably been a great experience for everyone.”
Gladden said not hitting $1 million this year doesn't matter. “The goal of $235,000 was just a number that would hit another number,” he said. “As always, I am happy with anything that we raise, but it’s been a special time.”
The VCF provides grants to Legionnaires and active-duty military facing financial uncertainty and with minor children in the home, as well as funding the Legion’s veteran service officer training. Gladden said both causes resonate with the Maryland Legion Riders.
“I think it’s the whole aspect of keeping the kids involved, but it’s also the veterans,” he said. “The aspect of the service officers helping out our veterans – particularly those in need with PTSD, etc. – and helping them get the benefits, I think that’s a big part. They’re starting to understand that (the VCF) is all about.”
Gladden also said he noticed a difference in this year’s ride with the addition of a fourth day. All of the previous rides had gone three. “I think there’s been a lot more bonding,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s getting that extra for people to have the opportunity to just come together and ride together and socialize together. I think it may have made a big difference in our trip here. I know, personally, I got to speak with more people this time because of having that extra day. I’m excited that we’re going to do that in the future.”
The ride came to an end at American Legion Post 239 in Cascade, where the post’s Legion Family provided a fried chicken meal. John Davies, the Detachment of Maryland second vice commander and a member of Squadron 239, presented a $3,000 donation from the post’s Legion Family.
Earlier in the day, the ride made a stop at Clopper-Michael Post 10 in Boonsboro, where they were greeted with Dunkin’ Donuts, coffee and juices. And there also was a $10,000 donation to their cause -- $7,000 from ALR Chapter 10 and $3,000 from the Sons of The American Legion.
“Anything veteran-related, that’s why we’re here. We want to do whatever we can for that,” said Keith Cameron, the squadron commander and ALR director at Post 239. “And we’re big into riding, of course, and when we found out about the Legacy Run, it seemed like the right thing to do.
“We put 90 percent of our work through the year – all the donations and the events that we do – to the (ride). That’s why we’re here. We’re here to support.”
A Bittersweet Day. Stu and Kim Crook have been on three Gold Star Legacy Runs. Both American Legion Riders from Chapter 22 in Towson, the husband-and-wife team plan on doing the ride as long as they can.
“We’re out here to raise money,” said Stu, a past commander of SAL Squadron 22. “It gives us purpose to get out and help veterans and their families.”
Kim, a member of Auxiliary Unit 22, said while they do still see some of the other participating Riders throughout the year, others she won’t see again until the next Gold Star Legacy Run.
“It’s sad. I don’t want to stop,” she said. “We’re family. Most of the people have been on the ride, so everybody knows everybody. It’s coming to an end – ‘til next year.
“But it’s heartwarming because we’ve earned all those money. So it’s exciting.”
· Read about Day 1 of the Gold Star Legacy Run here.
· Read about Day 2 of the Gold Star Legacy Run here.
· Read about Day 3 of the Gold Star Legacy Run here.
Past National Sons of The American Legion Historian Jeff Thorne followed the ride all four days. View and download his photos here.
- Riders