The roar of motorcycles will fill the air in central and eastern Kansas June 10-13, as the American Legion Riders take to the highways for the 6th “Almost” Annual Kansas Legacy Run, to raise awareness and financial support for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship fund.
Riders will start from the Great Bend American Legion Argonne Post 180, located at 1011 Kansas Ave., meeting at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, with the ride getting underway at 8.
Leaving Post 180, the Riders will make a stop in Larned at the Pawnee County All Veterans Memorial for a wreath laying ceremony. As always, the public is invited to attend. Leaving Larned they will stop in Bazine for a break and then onto Ness City for a wreath laying and lunch. They will then ride north to Wakeeney for a wreath laying at the State Veterans Cemetery. Again, riding north they will make a brief stop in Hill City at the Veterans Memorial for a wreath laying. They are then riding east to Nicodemus and will end the day in Phillipsburg.
During the Legacy Run, the riders will stop at American Legion posts, veterans memorials, cemeteries and other locations. Wreath laying ceremonies are performed to honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and are a stirring experience. Fuel stops, lodging and meals are planned months in advance. At meal stops, there are opportunities for area organizations and the public to present donations to the scholarship fund and receive recognition.
The American Legion is a veteran’s organization helping veterans, their families and their communities. The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund has been set up to do just that, by helping with the rising cost of a secondary education for the children of active duty service members that died on or after 9/11/01, as well as the children of veterans who are 50% or more disabled as determined by the Veterans Administration. The goal of the Fund is to raise $20 million to enable scholarships for these children, many of whom will be entering college in the next few years. To date, American Legion Riders across the country have raised over $9 million toward the goal.
For more information on the fund, visit www.legion.org/scholarships/legacy, and www.legion.org to learn more about the American Legion.
About the run
In its sixth year, the Kansas Legacy Run is patterned after the nationwide American Legion Legacy Run that draws riders from all 50 states as well as Great Britain. Kansas has joined Florida, Minnesota, Virginia and other states that conduct “in-state” Runs to support the fund. The national Legacy Run organizers are preparing for its 14th year, having traveled tens of thousands of miles through much of the U.S. After its creation in 2001, funding for the scholarship was lagging behind the need. In 2005 the American Legion enlisted the help of its Legion Riders across the nation to get involved, to help spread the word and raise money for the fund. Because of this need, the American Legion Legacy Run was born, and in August 2006 riders from across the country gathered in Indianapolis to ride their motorcycles to Salt Lake City and the National Convention where the first monies raised would be turned in by the riders.
Brenda Krueger, Great Bend, has participated in both the Kansas and national runs said.
“That is what the Legacy Runs are all about – it’s for the children of the fallen in Kansas, and nationwide,” Krueger said. “Keeping the promise for their future education. We are in this together and your support and encouragement whether standing on the corner as we pass, waving the American Flag or donating what you can at stops, it’s all about the support of a needed cause.”
Funds are raised in many ways, from raffles, bake sales and “poker runs.”
Safety is a prime consideration; while on the run each day, no alcohol use is allowed, and no illegal drugs in any form. Riders are organized into Red, White, and Blue groups led by a Road Captain and Assistant that maintain a proper pace for the group, and a “Tailgunner” at the rear to ensure the group is kept together and monitor for safety issues.
At each stop, local American Legion posts and the public are encouraged to present donations to the fund, which in turn will be presented on behalf of the Kansas American Legion on the National Legacy Run in August. The public is encouraged to gather at the stops to show their support and patriotism.
