Legacy Run gets under way Aug. 18

In what has become a rite of late summer, hundreds of American Legion Riders on motorcycles will depart Indianapolis on Aug. 18, traveling more than 1,500 miles while raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for military children along the way.

The American Legion Legacy Run, sponsored by USAA, will depart American Legion Post 64 in Indianapolis on 8 a.m. and travel across three states before ending up in Houston for the 2013 American Legion National Convention. The Run raises funds for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund, which provides college scholarships for the children of U.S. servicemembers killed while on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

A $450,000 goal has been set for this year’s Legacy Run and is again expected to be met and exceeded, as nearly 400 motorcyclists are expected to participate in the ride. Last year’s Run raised a record $724,524 - well above the $400,000 goal set prior to the Run. In its seven years of existence, the Legacy Run has raised more than $3.3 million in scholarship monies.

Riders will begin gathering at Post 64 on Aug. 17 for registration, training sessions, safety orientations, rider meetings and to hear from American Legion National Commander James E. Koutz. After leaving Indianapolis, the ride will make stops at various Legion posts along the way for lunches, dinners and events. Koutz will participate in the Run and meet riders and volunteers at every stop.

The ride also will include an Operation Comfort Warriors donation in Killeen, Texas, on Aug. 21.

The Legacy Run will end up at American Legion Post 554 in League City, Texas, on Aug. 22, where various activities are planned.

Follow the Legacy Run online via Facebook and Twitter. Participants also are encouraged to tweet about their experience on the Run using hashtag #LegacyRun.