A charity motorcycle ride rode into Milwaukee Thursday afternoon, bringing with it more than $360,000 for scholarships for the children of U.S. military personnel who have died since Sept. 11, 2001.

Hundreds of motorcycles completed The American Legion Legacy Run, now in its fifth year. Driven by members of The American Legion Riders, the Run started in Indianapolis on Aug. 22 and covered 1,400 miles, traveling through Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The run ended in Milwaukee, the site of the Legion's 92nd National Convention that gets underway this weekend.

The American Legion Legacy Ride raises money for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. The fund provides college scholarships for the children of U.S. service members killed while on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

"The biggest impression I got was on all the stops that we made. People gave $1, the worker who gave me 50 cents, people who gave $5, $10, $20; on every stop, when we explained what we were doing, we got a donation," said American Legion National Commander Clarence Hill, who took part in the entire Run. "Everyone identifies with the need to education our children, and they understand the hardships associated with doing that when a family has lost a parent. This cause is an easy one to support."

Since 2006, the Legacy Run has raised more than $1.5 million for the Legacy Scholarship Fund. The goal is to bring the fund to $20 million.

 

-30-Contacts: Craig Roberts or Joe March, (414) 908-5475