A chance to see 'the fruits of their labor'

In 12 previous American Legion Legacy Runs, American Legion Riders have raised millions of dollars to provide college scholarships for the children of U.S. military personnel killed on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, and – more recently – the children of post-9/11 veterans with a combined VA disability rating of 50 percent or higher.

On this year’s ride, which leaves Hutchinson, Kan., on Aug. 19, Run participants will have an opportunity to meet two benefits of the Legion Riders’ hard work over the years.

At the Run stop in Onalaska, Wis., Legacy Scholarship recipient Ally Niven will meet up with the Riders at Post 336. On the next day, on the ride’s final stop in Anoka, Minn., Savannah Carlson will be at Post 102 awaiting the Riders’ arrival.

“It’s the fruits of their labor,” Legacy Run Chief Road Captain Bob Sussan said. “These guys and girls take vacation to do this ride. Many of them … have gone out of their way to raise money at home and bring it to the ride. I thought it was important for the Riders to actually see the fruits of their labor. They work so hard doing this. They read about (the recipients). But I wanted them to touch and feel and see a person.”

Niven, a student at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, received a $20,000 scholarship through the fund. Her father, Lee Niven, is a disabled post-9/11 Army veteran and a 20-year member of The American Legion. He belongs to Post 461 in Dunbar, Wis.

Carlson, who received $2,862 through the fund, is a student at Dakota County Technical College and is the daughter of Sgt. Lawrence Martin Carlson, who passed away November 2006 from an illness. Her mother, Karlyn – an Army veteran – will be at the post as well.

“All of this shows … what we do … as the Riders,” Sussan said. “The Riders have gotten behind something and have consistently stayed behind something and pushed it every year. That’s the Legacy Scholarship Fund.”

Along the ride – which will make stops in Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin before finishing up in Minnesota – participants will lay wreaths at various memorial and gravesites, visit points of interests, and have lunch and dinner breaks at American Legion posts.

Sussan also has worked with various local visitors bureaus to ensure the ride gets a nice welcome reception at its stops. And four Operation Comfort Warriors grants will be distributed at different locations during the course of the Run.