Air Force Red Horse Squadron Cooks for Legacy Run

Members of the Silver Flag Training Site, Det 1, 823rd Red Horse Squadron, Tyndall AFB, cooked hamburgers and hot dogs for the recent Legion Riders Poker Run held at Post 356, Lynn Haven, FL, June 6th.

Members stood out in the heat and cooked all day and raised $447.00. They wrote a check to the Legacy Run that day and it will be delivered to the National Commander by Mike and Tina Kirchoff during the Legacy Run.

Thanks to all the members for their hard work and dedication!

I received quite a bit of responses from my original message regarding “another Veterans Corps”…

Thank you all for caring.

From many of the responses, there are valid arguments made for and against this new “Veterans Corps”.

On the one hand, this new initiative, if properly supported by existing VSOs, can help launch an awareness program to returning veterans and introduce them to the traditions of “veterans serving veterans”. This will help increase awareness for VSOs like The American Legion amongst younger veterans and get them involved. And with some mentoring from older veterans, we can expect these young veterans who get involved in the “Veterans Corps” eventually volunteer their time with the VSOs and continue to make an impact. As one legionnaire wrote “If the new Veterans Corps is to strengthen and enable organizations to build capacity for their own missions to assist fellow veterans, then there is a chance this new initiative will actually accomplish something.”

On the other hand, if improperly executed, this program risks wasting taxpayer money and further disenfranchise veterans who are already doing everything they can.

Your collective wisdom has enlightened me in the fact that given this initiative, we can either be counter-productive and argue who can provide the best assistance to our veterans, or we can see this opportunity and work together to help mentor a generation of returning veterans the importance of peer-support and volunteer services to strengthen their communities.

And keeping true to the grassroots, I urge you to find out more about this Veterans Corps and ask your American Legion representatives, and your congressional representatives, to ensure VSOs critical role in developing the “Veterans Corps”.

another Veterans Corps???

Congress is trying to establish a new “Veterans Corps” under the established programs of AmeriCorps. (http://hamptonroads.com/2009/03/worthy-AmeriCorps-program-benefit-veterans) The provisions introduced to both the House and Senate asked that the taxpayers to put more money into a bureaucracy and establish a program from the ground up to do the job that so many Veterans Service Organizations are already doing. From what I can tell, this new initiative will give AmeriCorps the funding it needs to establish transition assistance volunteers to help veterans.
Now correct me if I’m wrong, but I’ve always thought the point of VSOs, like The American Legion, are chartered by Congress to organize volunteer efforts, manage donations, and bypassing the government bureaucracy, and putting the efforts and initiatives at the hands of veterans who understand how to help another veteran. Maintaining true grassroots and empowering fellow veterans to serve their peers not only ensure the quality but also the bond that ties a veteran to his/her community. Why do we want to waste more taxpayer’s money to build something that is already there???
So why is the Obama administration looking in another direction on helping our veterans??? Can it be simply that Obama, or Congress, didn’t really think this through? Are they just jumping into the bandwagon to simply do something for the sake of doing something???
If it were up to me, I’d say instead of building another veterans’ service organization under AmeriCorps, Congress and Obama should look at what all of the VSOs are doing, and help build partnership across the board and help facilitate peer support to reduce the redundancy and maximize support to those returning veterans that need the help…
I think this is a case where politics and the appearance of doing something needs to take a backseat. Acting with reason and operating with the best interests of our veterans and servicemembers should be our first responsibility. Congress can really make a difference by coming to the VSOs and ask for an alliance or some sort to establish this “Veterans Corps”… but that’s just my opinion…

Troops wished Godspeed on mission

By Jared Felkins
The Times-Journal
Fort Payne, Alabama
Published April 21, 2009


Friends, family and Fort Payne faithful wished the soldiers of the 1343rd Chemical Co. godspeed Tuesday as they left in buses headed to Texas and eventually Kuwait.

“We don’t say, ‘We support the troops, but…’” said Randy Owen, who sang the National Anthem before the deployment ceremony Tuesday at the Fort Payne Armory. “We say, ‘We support the troops and their families.’ If you need anything, we are there for you.”

A large crowd of friends, family and local, state and national officials gathered as about 130 troops were lined in attention to witness the morning ceremony.

“As each of you plan to deploy to Kuwait, it’s an honor to be with you to recognize your contributions,” said Congressman Robert Aderholt. “Protecting our country is something we take very seriously in Congress. You are what makes this nation great, and we will never forget that.”

The troops took a tour of Fort Payne on buses before entering Interstate 59. In Gadsden, the troops met up with about 95 other soldiers also deploying on Tuesday. From there, the National Guard soldiers head to Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas before heading to the Kuwait boarder with Iraq in mid-July. The troops will offer security to convoys while deployed.

“We have the best leaders and the best soldiers in the Alabama National Guard standing before you today,” said Battalion Cmdr. Alan Nayhem. “But the real heroes are the family members.”

Many speakers, soldiers and officials, stressed community support for family members who wished their loved ones goodbye and godspeed.

“I’d like to tell you how proud I am of this group of soldiers,” said Capt Jess Howard. “The next year will be tough on you, but remember it is only a year. To the family members, be your soldiers’ rock of support.”

Fort Payne Mayor Bill Jordan told the soldiers and their families he understood the personal sacrifices each one was making.

“We salute you and wish you the best of luck,” Jordan said.

The American Legion Riders, directed by former company member Randy Ray, led the soldiers to Birmingham on motorcycles.

“All of these who have worn these colors have been there,” Ray said. “We want to support them. We want to give them a send off.”

Between the ceremony and time when troops boarded buses, they had a few hours to say goodbye to family and friends.

“God willing in 11-12 months from now we will be standing right back here in Fort Payne, Alabama,” said Maj. Gen. A.C. Blalock.

American Legion Legacy Run Registration--2009

Indianapolis to Louisville - Aug 18-21

Fee Schedule:
Registration fees postmarked before 1 August 2009: $35 per operator, and $15 per passenger.
Registrations postmarked after 1 August 2009: $50 for each participant (operators and passengers). *
Supporters: $35 at any time (not for operators or passengers)
Volunteers: Registration is free to all volunteers and can be accomplished by mail here or onsite before the Legacy Run stops and refueling points.
CLICK HERE FOR THE 2009 REGISTRATION FORM

Register early by printing out the completed registration form and mailing (with payment by check, money order, or credit card information) payable to:

The American Legion Legacy Run
PO Box 1055
Indianapolis, IN 46206

We will mail the ALLR 2009 patch set and mapbook to all rider/operators, passengers, and supporters approximately two weeks prior to the Run.

Volunteers are required to sign a registration/waiver form, but are not charged a registration fee. They will not receive a patch set or mapbook. Volunteers who register and pay as a supporter ($35) will be mailed the patch set and mapbook.

*NOTE: The American Legion Legacy Run, like all public highway motorcycle events, must first consider the safety of all riders, passengers, spectators, and volunteers. For this reason, run safety planners may find it necessary to place an upper limit to the numbers of new participants joining on any day or leg of the Run. Late registrations also create a difficult challenge for local American Legion posts and Riders chapters attempting to purchase food and beverages to support the Run. For these reasons, a guaranteed position cannot be promised after 1 August 2009. Save money and help us create an accurate headcount before the Run begins—register early!

Rolling Thunder California To Visit Nat'l HQ On Way to DC

Awacs, we are riding from California to DC for attending Memorial Day Programs. I have just completed the route and stops along the way and am hoping that we might visit Nat HQ on Wed May 20th. Please feel free to contact me about any of this.
Could you place me in contact with any Legion Post along our way so that we can visit and share our trip.
All riders and vehicles are welcome to join us at any point.

Thank You,
Joseph "Harleyjoe" Watt, Post 149 Commander of Escondido, Ca.


--We will be proud to host you, Harleyjoe. This building belongs to you. Let me know how many a week or so before you arrive. --AWACS

Blog Site for Marine walking a perimeter . . .

http://eddiegraywalksamerica.blogspot.com/

Riders, check out this young Marine. This is a blog that we set up to track his progress. Some of the ALR chapters in the perimeter states in the U.S. might vote to keep track of him--and provide support if needed in some of the outlying areas.

He asks for nothing in return but respect.

AWACS