thedrifter
08-11-06, 09:52 PM
America Supports You: Veterans Ride Across America for Kids of Fallen Heroes
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2006 – The leader of the nation's largest veterans organization will lead hundreds of veterans on a motorcycle caravan across five states next week to raise scholarship money for children of U.S. military personnel killed on duty since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
American Legion National Commander Tom Bock will be joined by members of the American Legion Riders and hundreds of military veterans who love motorcycles and their commitment to service. He will lead them on the American Legacy Run beginning in Indianapolis and running through five states to the 88th Annual National American Legion Convention, in Salt Lake City. The convention convenes Aug. 29.
The riders, who are wartime veterans themselves, will travel 1,900 miles to make college educations possible for children of those who have died defending Americans’ freedoms since Sept. 11, 2001.
The American Legacy Scholarship program is one way to show America's deep appreciation for those who paid the ultimate price for freedom, Bock said.
"As an unfortunate consequence of America's war on terror, many children of our active-duty military personnel are now members of single-parent families," Bock said. "In most cases, this also means their chances to attend college have greatly diminished. Children of military personnel who die on active duty are entitled to receive some money toward a college education, but it is not enough."
The riders’ goal is to raise $100,000 for the American Legacy Scholarship Fund. "We are raising funds to ensure that higher education will be a reality for these families," Bock said. "Providing for the children our military personnel left behind is our civic duty, and an education is a powerful way to show our thanks."
According to American Legacy Run event planners, hundreds of motorcycle riders are expected to either make the entire five-day journey from Indianapolis to Salt Lake City. Hundreds more from all over America are expected to hook up with the ride at some point along the way.
Legionnaires at posts along the route to Salt Lake City will conduct fundraising activities and events in support of the American Legacy Scholarship Fund.
American Legion Posts and Legion Riders throughout the country are conducting fundraising efforts on behalf of the American Legacy Scholarship Fund.
"This is something that all Americans can support," Bock said. "If you ride a motorcycle, join us, and if you don't, become a non-rider supporter."
Registration is $35 per rider (and non-rider supporter) and $10 per passenger, which pays for access to the run and associated activities. A commemorative packet will be given to all registrants.
Bock will stop in every state along the route for promotional events and to collect donations from riders, American Legion family members and business communities along the way.
A small delegation of American Legion Riders will formally present the national donations for the American Legacy Scholarship Fund directly to Bock onstage at the National Convention.
Registration information is available at www.americanlegacyrun.org. All who register will receive a souvenir map book, vest patch, and proof of registration for their vehicle. Registration fees, not donations, will offset the costs of the American Legacy Run. Every additional dollar donated to the American Legacy Scholarship Fund will go directly to educating a fallen servicemember's son or daughter, American Legion officials said.
(From an American Legion news release.)
Ellie
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2006 – The leader of the nation's largest veterans organization will lead hundreds of veterans on a motorcycle caravan across five states next week to raise scholarship money for children of U.S. military personnel killed on duty since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
American Legion National Commander Tom Bock will be joined by members of the American Legion Riders and hundreds of military veterans who love motorcycles and their commitment to service. He will lead them on the American Legacy Run beginning in Indianapolis and running through five states to the 88th Annual National American Legion Convention, in Salt Lake City. The convention convenes Aug. 29.
The riders, who are wartime veterans themselves, will travel 1,900 miles to make college educations possible for children of those who have died defending Americans’ freedoms since Sept. 11, 2001.
The American Legacy Scholarship program is one way to show America's deep appreciation for those who paid the ultimate price for freedom, Bock said.
"As an unfortunate consequence of America's war on terror, many children of our active-duty military personnel are now members of single-parent families," Bock said. "In most cases, this also means their chances to attend college have greatly diminished. Children of military personnel who die on active duty are entitled to receive some money toward a college education, but it is not enough."
The riders’ goal is to raise $100,000 for the American Legacy Scholarship Fund. "We are raising funds to ensure that higher education will be a reality for these families," Bock said. "Providing for the children our military personnel left behind is our civic duty, and an education is a powerful way to show our thanks."
According to American Legacy Run event planners, hundreds of motorcycle riders are expected to either make the entire five-day journey from Indianapolis to Salt Lake City. Hundreds more from all over America are expected to hook up with the ride at some point along the way.
Legionnaires at posts along the route to Salt Lake City will conduct fundraising activities and events in support of the American Legacy Scholarship Fund.
American Legion Posts and Legion Riders throughout the country are conducting fundraising efforts on behalf of the American Legacy Scholarship Fund.
"This is something that all Americans can support," Bock said. "If you ride a motorcycle, join us, and if you don't, become a non-rider supporter."
Registration is $35 per rider (and non-rider supporter) and $10 per passenger, which pays for access to the run and associated activities. A commemorative packet will be given to all registrants.
Bock will stop in every state along the route for promotional events and to collect donations from riders, American Legion family members and business communities along the way.
A small delegation of American Legion Riders will formally present the national donations for the American Legacy Scholarship Fund directly to Bock onstage at the National Convention.
Registration information is available at www.americanlegacyrun.org. All who register will receive a souvenir map book, vest patch, and proof of registration for their vehicle. Registration fees, not donations, will offset the costs of the American Legacy Run. Every additional dollar donated to the American Legacy Scholarship Fund will go directly to educating a fallen servicemember's son or daughter, American Legion officials said.
(From an American Legion news release.)
Ellie