Top 5: a 1,100-mile cause, support Afghan allies, Texas makes Legion history
1. Follow the Legion Riders for a 1,100-mile cause
The 2023 American Legion Legacy Run kicks off Aug. 20 in Kokomo, Ind., and ends outside of Charlotte, N.C., for the 104th National Convention of The American Legion. The five-day, 1,100-mile ride will leave American Legion Post 6 in Kokomo and travel through Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee before the final stop at the Hendrick Motorsports campus in Concord, N.C., on Aug. 24. This is the last year for the ride to raise funds for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund – National American Legion Riders Chairman Mark Clark would love to raise a record $1.5 million, beating last year’s all-time high of $1.32 million.
Follow the 2023 Legacy Run with daily updates in the Legion Riders section of legion.org; and on social media using the hashtag #LegacyRun2023: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
More details: National American Legion Riders Chairman Mark Clark shares details about the scenery Legion Riders will see along the route, and a 30th anniversary celebration.
2. Join the Legion’s mission to support Afghan allies
Two years ago, the Taliban reasserted control over Afghanistan.
“The speed of the Taliban takeover unleashed anger, frustration and concern for Afghanistan interpreters and other allies who risked their lives to help U.S. troops during the 20-year war,” said American Legion National Commander Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola. “And our allies’ lives remain in danger. We must continue our two-fold fight for them.”
The American Legion is urging Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would allow Afghans who fought alongside our servicemembers the opportunity to apply for permanent legal residency after undergoing additional vetting.
Join this mission to support our Afghan allies by sending a message to Congress through The American Legion’s Grassroots Action Center.
Stay informed: Sign up for American Legion legislative alerts through the Grassroots Action Center platform. You will be informed on American Legion legislative priorities and tools to communicate online with lawmakers and the media about these priorities.
3. Your 2023 ALWS champions
League City Post 554 won Texas its first American Legion World Series title in the program’s 96-year history. League City had a 1-0 victory over Lincoln (Neb.) Post 3 Tuesday night in the 2023 ALWS championship game at Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium in Shelby, N.C.
For League City coach Ronnie Oliver, the victory is a highlight for a long career.
“To be honest, this is something I’ve been wanting for 37 years and I finally got it,” said Oliver, who has coached League City since 2005 and previously coached Texas City. “We just find that way. We’ve had one of those years where we found a way to be successful.”
League City pitcher Jacob Cyr, who threw the third no-hitter in ALWS history in last Thursday’s opening game, was named The American Legion George W. Rulon Player of the Year. “It feels great to be able to take this back to Texas for the first time ever, and especially being able to do it with my brothers on this team,” he said.
An ALWS visitor: A special guest at the 2023 American Legion World Series in Shelby, N.C., was Joe Grahe, a top pitcher and hitter for Jensen Beach, Fla., in 1986 when Post 126 won the ALWS title. He tells the eight ALWS regional teams that “it’s those little plays that determine your future.”
4. A highlight of eight veterans in INDYCAR
Throughout the 2023 INDYCAR season The American Legion has been highlighting veterans who work within the racing series, whether for Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR), INDYCAR or other racing teams. The following have been featured on legion.org, with more to come.
Navy veteran Tim Holle, Indianapolis Motor Speedway photographer
Army veteran Kenny Davis, responsible for the bodywork of CGR’s four Indy cars
Army veteran C.J. Hardin, traveling IT technician for CGR
Marine veteran Tim White, CGR mechanic
Retired Navy SEAL Dave Berkenfield, team manager for CGR’s Extreme E program
Army/National Guard veteran Andrew Bowman, garage/pit flagman at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Marine veteran Brian Mahone, director of safety and security for Indianapolis Motor Speedway/INDYCAR
Marine veteran Ben Christian, a race transport driver and the inside rear tire changer for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s No. 30 car driven by Jack Harvey.
More at the track: American Legion service officers have been providing race fans with Department of Veteran Affairs benefits claims assistance from the Legion’s Be the One INDYCAR truck. Department of Indiana service officer Bryce Hullett said he’s had contact with roughly 45 veterans and family members while working at the track during racing events.
5. A focus on overcoming PTSD through fitness, faith and family
This week’s American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast welcomes retired Marine Corps Col. Patty Klop and Marine Corps Lt. Col. Chris Reardon. In the episode, Klop shares her story of “immense trauma” as the officer in charge of mortuary affairs in Afghanistan and her seven-week PTSD treatment that led to post-traumatic growth. And Reardon talks about his nonprofit, Freedom Fitness America (FFA).
“At Freedom Fitness America, our simple mission is that we train tactical professionals and those whom they serve to be fit for the fight and life, which means to be prepared for danger, crisis and overcoming obstacles in everyday life,” Reardon explained. “Our values are fitness, faith, family, finances and freedom.”
Reardon is the executive director of Freedom Fitness America, while Klop is on its advisory board. FFA is geared toward active duty servicemembers, first responders and others. “To be fit for the fight and life,” is the motto.
There’s more: Tango Alpha Lima podcast co-hosts Jeff Daly and Ashley Gutermuth address other topics such as:
• How VA hospitals outperform non-VA hospitals, according to a new analysis.
• A TikTok video goes viral mocking Gen Zers on the battlefield.
• A 59-year-old country music star who rejoins the military.
• The “most significant transformation of the military justice system” since the Uniform Code of military Justice was established. The move relates to oversight of investigations into military sexual trauma, domestic violence, homicide and other violent cases.