Legacy Run participants honor fallen comrade, while bringing more than $521,000 for the Veterans & Children Foundation to the national convention.
The Legacy Run lost one of its own during this year’s ride. But the mission was completed, and it was done so in honor of Kansas Legion Rider Michael Haas. And that effort brought to Louisville, Ky., more than $521,000 for The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation, with more donations expected to be delivered on The American Legion National Convention floor on Sept. 1.
Michael Haas, a member of Arden H. McKee Post 128 in Sterling and a member of the Legacy Run’s road guard, died on Tuesday as a result of injuries he sustained while in a motorcycle accident during the ride’s morning leg to Keokuk, Iowa.
“But you stuck it through for the mission,” American Legion Riders National Chairman David Heredia Jr. said during the ride’s closing ceremony at the Gen. George Patton Museum in Fort Knox, Ky. “We will always remember the name of Michael Haas. He will always be with us in our hearts and in our prayers and in our minds.
“We finished the mission. It was hard for some of us. But you stuck it through.”
Heredia praised the Riders for their effort over the past five days and 1,000 miles. “To all of you, you are my champions, and I’m grateful for getting to lead this ride with all of you,” he said. “I’m just the point man. You guys are the ones who made it possible.”
At the museum, the Riders heard from two of the American Legion Family’s national leadership: American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley and American Legion Auxiliary National President Pam Ray. Both spent Wednesday and Thursday on the bike of motorcycles on the ride’s route.
“In a year of amazing events and amazing things I got to do, the last day and a half may have been the most amazing,” Wiley said. “It has been really awesome to be on the ride. One of the things I love about the American Legion Riders is it’s the one program that we have that brings all of the family together. People out there don’t care if you’re Auxiliary, SAL or Legion. They just care that you’re on the ride. They care that you’re supporting the ride. And you care for one another.”
Wiley also paid tribute to Haas. “I think I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the name of Michael Haas. I think it’s important that we remember him,” he said. “I know he was near and dear to many of you, and especially our Kansas contingent. There’re no words that I could say that would assuage the pain that you feel. But I think honoring him, remembering him and continuing to live the legacy is important. That’s certainly what you guys do.”
Ray praised the Riders not only for their efforts this week, but what they do every day.
“All year long I’ve been mission-driven and family focused,” Ray said. “And I can’t think of a branch of our family that’s more family focused than this group right here. To be able to share the last couple of days with you will be something I will always remember. You have welcomed me and treated me with such kindness. Thank you so much.”
Back for More. Mike Rodgers, a member of Post and Chapter 197 in Jacksonville, Fla., took part in his first Legacy Run a year ago. He was back this year, but it wasn’t a decision he made immediately.
“I needed to process it and talk to my brother (fellow Chapter 197 member Rodney Bradley),” Rodgers said. “We decided we were going to do it again and try to give more. So I volunteered to be on the road guard team, and I was able to do that.”
Rodgers said the ride provides something that he also experienced in the military. “We are military-driven, and we like being a part of a family. This was a big family, and I enjoyed being a part of the family and being a part of the team,” he said. “And the mission. We’re all mission-driven folks, and we all like to have something to fight for. Because we no longer serve active, or in the Guard or reserve, this is something we get to fight for: the Veterans & Children Foundation.”
There was, however, some sadness. Rodgers served on the road guard with Mike Haas, who passed away on Day 3 of the ride after sustaining fatal injuries during a motorcycle accident.
Rodgers said the loss of Haas “really brings home family. Thoughts and prayers go out to Mike’s family. It also reminds me of my brothers. You always have to say, ‘I love you’ to the family that you have now, because you don’t know that tomorrow is promised.”
The Cause – and a Bit More. Mike Martin, a member of American Legion Riders Chapter 59 in Montevideo, Minn., is a veteran of six Legacy Runs. It’s the cause that brings him back every year – but there’s also an added benefit.
“It may be selfish, but seeing all the people alongside the road (cheering the ride) gives you renewed hope in humanity,” he said. “That people absolutely still care. And it’s fun. I love it.”
- Riders