Bill Kirby said...
Exactly what are the "American Legion Riders" What qualifications do I need in order to become one? Bill Kirby
July 30, 2008 2:54 PM
Anyone want to answer this great question? I've placed Bill Kirby's question on top for everyone to respond to--let's clarify our purpose, our goals, and our identity. Click on "comments" below to see all of our answers--AWACS
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
The American Legion on myspace.com
http://www.myspace.com/the_american_legion
bill,
take a look at the myspace page.. I featured Legacy run 2008 video on the page… can you put it out to the legion riders that if they have a myspace page, then please add TAL national hq as their friend…
I know there is a lot of legion riders on myspace, we need them to get some momentum behind this thing…
Thanks…
jin
bill,
take a look at the myspace page.. I featured Legacy run 2008 video on the page… can you put it out to the legion riders that if they have a myspace page, then please add TAL national hq as their friend…
I know there is a lot of legion riders on myspace, we need them to get some momentum behind this thing…
Thanks…
jin
Thursday, July 17, 2008
ALR Three Servicemen Ride
On July 12, 2008, 30 American Legion Riders from Chapter 356 in Panama City, Florida joined up with over a 100 motorcycles of local motorcycle clubs, including ABATE, AMVETS Riders, Christian Motorcyclists Association, Patriot Guard Riders, U.S. Military Vets Motorcycle Club and Vietnam Vets/Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club and rode to Apalachicola, Florida for the dedication of the Three Servicemen Statue, a bronze sculpture that is the only authorized “detail,” or partial sculpture, created from the original molds used for the Three Servicemen Statue in Washington DC.Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, was the keynote speaker. Scruggs was the driving force behind the effort to build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. in the early 1980s. The Wall, as the Memorial is also known, was dedicated in 1982.The ceremony also featured an exhibition of Vietnam-era “Huey” helicopters, a wreath laying at the new statue and a military honor guard.
News from Patches Kirchoff Panama City, Florida
Monday, July 14, 2008
How can we not assist?
I'd like to ask that you post this invitation to the American Legion Riders. This summer, I will be riding about 6,000 miles for the children of fallen Spec Ops Warriors from all branches of the military. The Special Operations Warrior Foundation has now been sending children of fallen warriors to college for 28 years. The foundation was started as a pact made in the desert after 17 children were left without a father after the Iranian hostage rescue attempt. On Memorial Day of 2005, I got the news that a small Iraqi aircraft had gone down with my son aboard. My grandson is now one of the current number of 727 children that will receive a full college scholorship from the foundation when he is ready. Our ride schedule is on my link below. We would be happy to have American Legion Riders join us on any portion of our trip. Along the ride we will be stopping for different planned events and to collect donations made out to the SOWF to be mailed from that city. My sincere thanks go out to any Legion members that can join us or to help spread the word. Debbiewww.firstgiving.com/debbieargel Debbie Argel-BastianFor the children of our heroes: (Capt. Argel Memorial Ride) www.firstgiving.com/DebbieArgel
Legionriders.ning.com, another new site for ALR
Another site to add for all Legion Riders is http://legionriders.ning.com/ . Keith Callaway of Iowa created this site to provide Legion Riders their own social networking site similar to “Myspace”. So far there are 171 members signed up. Please check it out.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Announcing The American Legion Riders Forum
Welcome to The American Legion Riders (ALR) blog site and discussion forum. Many of the American Legion Riders and Legion family volunteers interested in learning more about the ALR should visit this site often--it is interactive and safe, and will allow you to share your comments with other visitors to the forum.
The forum welcomes open discussion. Give us your thoughts. Share your stories.
Bill Sloan
Moderator
The forum welcomes open discussion. Give us your thoughts. Share your stories.
Bill Sloan
Moderator
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Alabama Riders Chapter 107 Ride against children's cancer
The American Legion Riders, Chapter 107 Leeds, Al. Supports Camp Smile-A-Mile
Camp Smile-A-Mile is Alabama’s program for children with cancer. Children who have cancer, their families as well as young adult survivors can attend this camp. Even children that are still taking chemotherapy can attend because they are able to receive their treatment at camp. Everyone attends free of charge. That’s why it’s so important to have fund raisers, such as the annual Camp Sam Motorcycle Ride, which we attend.This year’s ride was on Saturday, June 14. The day started out dismal and rainy and I knew that it would keep a lot of bikers away, but it didn't deter our riders. We knew, rain or shine, the campers were expecting us. The ride started at Barbers Motor Sports Park in Leeds, Al. We had a full police escort from the Jefferson County Sheriffs Department Motorcycle Unit. Although in years past there were hundreds of bikes, this year only about 50-60 bikes participated in the ride.The campers were waiting as we rode into camp. As the horns began to blow and the exhaust pipes roared to their delight, they started cheering. Eighty-one beautiful, bald, sick, and healthy children were waving banners that read “thank you bikers”. Dry eyes were scarce, as emotions flooded everyone. As we greeted the long line of campers, they gave us “high fives” as we passed out monkeys, which is Camp Sam’s mascot.We formed a huge circle and our chaplain, Terry, said a prayer. Then bikers and campers paired up to have lunch together. They enjoyed sharing their stories, dreams and were not a bit shy about telling you what their diagnosis is. Such big words’ coming from such small children is heart-wrenching. Although, I have to admit, I didn't meet one child that wasn't optimistic and they all seemed to be having the time of their lives. Of course, that’s what camp is all about.This was a very emotional time because some of the campers were neighbors and friends of our riders. Sassy, one of our riders, was tickled that she saw her “lunch buddy” from last years ride and that he remembered her. One the other hand, Lee and I didn't see ours and I was afraid to ask why she wasn't there. Many campers come back year after year, but unfortunately, some don't survive their illness to come back.After lunch most of the children headed to the bikes. As you can imagine, they had to try on gloves, helmets, hop on the bikes and rev the engines. (and rev and rev) Finally, we all gathered at the open air stage for the check presentation. The total donations for this day were $30,000.00. I am very proud to say that our riders raised $9612.00 of this total.Although Chapter 107 contributes to many different charities at the community, state and national level, we have made this our primary charity. I'd like to think that I was instrumental in this decision. You see, Camp Sam holds a special place in my heart. In 2000, my son was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. My family and I attended this camp for 6 years. This is a wonderful organization and they took care of us when I had absolutely nothing to give in return. Now it’s my turn to take care of them.Before my son got sick, I had never heard of Camp Smile- A-Mile. Fortunately, thanks to this article, you have. Don't wait until it’s your friend, your neighbor or, God forbid, your own child that gets sick. Donate now. You don't have to take my word for it. Visit their web site, www.campsam.org, and see all the fantastic things that they do.
Camp Smile-A-Mile is Alabama’s program for children with cancer. Children who have cancer, their families as well as young adult survivors can attend this camp. Even children that are still taking chemotherapy can attend because they are able to receive their treatment at camp. Everyone attends free of charge. That’s why it’s so important to have fund raisers, such as the annual Camp Sam Motorcycle Ride, which we attend.This year’s ride was on Saturday, June 14. The day started out dismal and rainy and I knew that it would keep a lot of bikers away, but it didn't deter our riders. We knew, rain or shine, the campers were expecting us. The ride started at Barbers Motor Sports Park in Leeds, Al. We had a full police escort from the Jefferson County Sheriffs Department Motorcycle Unit. Although in years past there were hundreds of bikes, this year only about 50-60 bikes participated in the ride.The campers were waiting as we rode into camp. As the horns began to blow and the exhaust pipes roared to their delight, they started cheering. Eighty-one beautiful, bald, sick, and healthy children were waving banners that read “thank you bikers”. Dry eyes were scarce, as emotions flooded everyone. As we greeted the long line of campers, they gave us “high fives” as we passed out monkeys, which is Camp Sam’s mascot.We formed a huge circle and our chaplain, Terry, said a prayer. Then bikers and campers paired up to have lunch together. They enjoyed sharing their stories, dreams and were not a bit shy about telling you what their diagnosis is. Such big words’ coming from such small children is heart-wrenching. Although, I have to admit, I didn't meet one child that wasn't optimistic and they all seemed to be having the time of their lives. Of course, that’s what camp is all about.This was a very emotional time because some of the campers were neighbors and friends of our riders. Sassy, one of our riders, was tickled that she saw her “lunch buddy” from last years ride and that he remembered her. One the other hand, Lee and I didn't see ours and I was afraid to ask why she wasn't there. Many campers come back year after year, but unfortunately, some don't survive their illness to come back.After lunch most of the children headed to the bikes. As you can imagine, they had to try on gloves, helmets, hop on the bikes and rev the engines. (and rev and rev) Finally, we all gathered at the open air stage for the check presentation. The total donations for this day were $30,000.00. I am very proud to say that our riders raised $9612.00 of this total.Although Chapter 107 contributes to many different charities at the community, state and national level, we have made this our primary charity. I'd like to think that I was instrumental in this decision. You see, Camp Sam holds a special place in my heart. In 2000, my son was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. My family and I attended this camp for 6 years. This is a wonderful organization and they took care of us when I had absolutely nothing to give in return. Now it’s my turn to take care of them.Before my son got sick, I had never heard of Camp Smile- A-Mile. Fortunately, thanks to this article, you have. Don't wait until it’s your friend, your neighbor or, God forbid, your own child that gets sick. Donate now. You don't have to take my word for it. Visit their web site, www.campsam.org, and see all the fantastic things that they do.
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