Chapter 571’s donations

Posted: January 10, 2012 
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tagged: 571, american, chapter, donation, legion, pennsylvania, riders
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Pictured is Gary Weaver, President Legion Riders Chapter 571, presenting a check for $500  on 12/4/2011 to Karen ONiel, CAVS Hospital Voluntary Officer.
Chapter 571 also presented a check for $500 to the Soldiers & Sailors Home in Erie, PA to Barbara Raymond Commandant of the Erie Soldiers & Sailors Home on 12/4/2011.

Raffle to benefit the homeless

Posted: January 9, 2012 
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tagged: american legion, benefit, chapter, housing for homeless veterans, pennsylvania, raffle, riders
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Several State officers including Regional Directors met to check out the 2012 HD FLHX that we are raffling off to benefit Pa. Homeless Veterans.

Legacy Scholarship

Posted: November 30, 2011 
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tagged: 9/11, american, children, global war on terror, legacy fund, legacy run, legacy scholarship, legion, operation iraqi freedom, parent, pennsylvania, riders, war
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As an unfortunate consequence of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the global war on terror, many children of our active-duty military personnel are now members of single-parent families. We are raising funds to ensure that higher education will be a reality for these families, but we need your help.

It is estimated that over 11,000 children have lost a parent in the war overseas. That number continues to grow each day. The Legion is actively working to ensure that all those children who want a post-secondary education will be provided one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the Legion doing with the money collected?
A. Each donation goes into the Legacy Scholarship trust fund, which earns interest to be used for scholarships. Currently, the fund’s principal is $4.8 million. In 2008, $36,000 in aid was distributed to students.

Q. What happens to the trust fund’s principal?
A. The trust fund remains untouched and grows with each donation. Scholarships are funded by the interest, which has awarded $191,970 in aid since 2004.

Q. Where has the money gone so far?
A. Scholarships grow in number and dollar amount each year. The first renewable scholarship was worth $2,000 and awarded in 2004. A year later, three $2,000 scholarships were given out. In 2006, six $5,000 scholarships were granted. Eight were awarded a year later for $4,500, and the scholarship number grew to 11 – $3,720 each – in 2008. Sixteen recipients each received $2,250 in 2009. in 2010, $46,000 in awards weer distributed in this manner: 10 scholarships at $4,000 each, and three scholarships at $2,000 each. In all, $191,970 has been granted.

Q. Who decides who gets scholarships and how much is awarded?
A. The national treasurer, with the National Finance Commission’s approval, determines the interest amount available for scholarship funding. By resolution, the National Americanism Commission is empowered to establish further rules, regulations and guidelines for the selection and awarding of scholarships with emphasis on financial need, leadership, scholarship and citizenship. The National Americanism Commission has delegated these duties to the National Committee on Education, which implements the scholarship program.

Q. If an active-duty servicemember is home and is killed outside of war, is his or her child still eligible for the scholarship?
A. The same rules always apply. The deceased parent must have been on active duty with the U.S. military or National Guard, or as a federalized reservist. The place of death is irrelevant, provided that the death happened on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

Q. Will we get a report on how scholarships are being used?
A. During May meetings, the National Committee on Education reports to the National Americanism Commission about the scholarship recipients and status of the program. The report is included in the National Americanism Commission’s report to the National Executive Committee. A separate copy of the report is sent to each department and posted on the American Legion Riders Web site.

Q. Say a soldier dies when his daughter is 2 years old. She won’t go to college for 15 years. Is that money being put away for her?
A. The money is in the trust, but she has to apply for her scholarship when she is a senior in high school. The number of eligible applicants and money available will determine the scholarship amount.

Q. How much do we need to raise?
A. Obviously, the more money the fund has, the more interest it will accrue for scholarships. If there was enough money in the principal, full college scholarships could be awarded each year. Unfortunately, that day is far off. It is thought that eventually a minimum of $20 million will be needed to meet the expected need for scholarships.

Q. Will someone be contacting these children, or will they have to find the scholarship on their own?
A. Ideally, the names and addresses of children who lost a parent would be readily available. Unfortunately, that isn’t possible. The scholarship information is contained in the Legion’s “Need a Lift?” publication, which lists scholarships, grants and loans available for veterans and their children. The information is on the Legion’s Web site, and booklets are distributed annually to public and private high schools across the nation. A representative from a local Legion post should be able to provide the family with the scholarship information and other benefit information at the time of the servicemember’s death.

Q. How many times can a student apply?
A. Students can reapply for the scholarship up to six years maximum. A waive can be obtained if the student is the National Guard or reserves and is activated. A waiver may also be obtained if the student embarks on a church mission. The student must be full-time and continue making adequate progress toward a degree.

sponsors

Posted: November 25, 2011 
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tagged: dinner, housing for homeless veterans, pennsylvania, sponsorship
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Dear Supporter of the Pennsylvania American Legion Housing for Homeless Veterans

Did you know that one-third of the adult homeless population is veterans?  Is this how we support the brave men and women who have served our country with honor and dedication? I believe this is a disgrace.  We have an obligation to ensure they have the support necessary to live a productive life after their military service.  About 1.5 million other veterans, meanwhile, are considered at risk of homelessness due to poverty, lack of support networks, and dismal living conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing.

Why are veterans homeless?  In addition to the factors influencing all homelessness – extreme shortage of affordable housing, livable income and access to health care – a large number of displaced and at-risk veterans live with lingering effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse, which are compounded by a lack of family and social support networks.  A top priority for homeless veterans is secure, safe, clean housing that offers a supportive environment free of drugs and alcohol.

What seems to work best?  The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans states that “The most effective programs for homeless and at-risk veterans are community-based, nonprofit, ‘veterans helping veterans’ groups.  The programs that seem to work best feature: transitional housing with the camaraderie of living in structured, substance-free environments with fellow veterans who are succeeding at bettering themselves.”  This is exactly what Housing for Homeless Veterans provides for the men and women who participate in our program.

What can I do?  Support programs like The Pennsylvania American Legion Housing for Homeless Veteransprogram.  We are a nonprofit ‘veterans helping veterans’ organization that partners with the VA’s program for homeless veterans.  Our program is designed to enhance the quality of life for the veteran and their families by providing clean transitional housing; help them become productive taxpaying citizens again by securing a good, decent job.  Our homes are located in Moon Township, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Ephrata, Pennsylvania.  Our vision is to give homeless veterans a second chance at the American dream.

In order for the American Legion to finance this program, we are asking for your support.  We will be sponsoring a dinner on January 14, 2012 at the Holiday Inn Pittsburgh Airport, Moon Township.  There will be a cash bar beginning at 5:30 pm with dinner following at 7:00 pm. Dinner tickets are $25.00 per person and include a program book.  Ads can be placed in the program book at the following prices:

Full Page – $70 (of which $50 can be used for a tax write off)

1/2 Page – $50 (of which $30 can be used for a tax write off)

1/4 Page – $40 (of which $21 can be used for a tax write off)

Please make checks for dinner tickets and ads payable to:  PA American Legion Housing for Homeless.  Mail to:

The remodeling and upkeep of these homes is the responsibility of the American Legion Housing for Homeless Veterans, Inc.  We need your support!  Thank you in advance for your consideration and support.

Sincerely,

Ronald F. Conley, President

PA American Legion Housing for Homeless Veterans, Inc.

Just an idea – Take this letter to the company you work for and ask for a donation.  Or, you could take the letter to companies that you patron asking them to support this cause.

Wounded Warriors donation

Posted: November 23, 2011 
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tagged: afghanistan, american legion, chapter 571, pennsylvania, riders, wounded warriors, wounded warriors project
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Troy Baer ( right ) presents a  certificate from the Wounded Warrior Project to Presdent Gary O. Weaver for the donation $ 2,524.00 in the name of Cpl. Jarrid L. King .     Jarrid L. King was killed in Afghanistan in January 2011.     This was the total monies raised in Chapter 571 ( Wesleyville )  Cpl. Jarrid L. King Memorial Dice run.   All costs were donated or paid for by Legion Riders Chapter 571 of Wesleyville .

Monster Bash Party

Posted: November 1, 2011 
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tagged: american legion, bash, monster, motorcycle, party, pennsylvania, riders
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The Monster Bash Party was a great success!

This fundraiser for Housing for Homeless Veterans Corp was a blast for all those involved.  It was held on October 29th; during the Legion College East weekend. There was a DJ, Karaoke, silent auction, costume contest, door prizes and light snacks.

Please check out our photos!

Making it to the final home

Posted: January 26, 2011 
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tagged: 2010, 9/11, american legion, american legion posts, american legion riders, benefit run, chapter, commemorate, dedication, final ceremony, iron run, nelson, pennsylvania, post 184, ride, riders, sacrifice, sal, squadron, ultimate, veterans, We haven't forgotten, world trade center
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On November 13^th the final ceremony was held to commemorate the World Trade Center steel being part of the 9/11 Memorial at American Legion Post 184.  This was a simple yet moving dedication to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice when America was attacked.

It took the family of the American Legion to pull such an event together; from start to finish.

Todd Nelson Commander of the SAL Squadron 184 stated, “I credit Americans, Americans for support of this cause.”

A simple example of this generosity is Squadron 184 got a check in the mail, the last week in December.  The check, along with a note was from a woman who lives in Manhattan and knew of the “Iron Run” project.  She stated that she is proud of what this American Legion Squadron has done and she appreciates their efforts.  This is the kind of response Squadron 184 is getting.

Nelson said, “We haven’t forgotten.  We haven’t forgotten about patriotism and Americanism.”

3000 Riders bring the World Trade Center steel section to an American Legion

Posted: January 26, 2011 
Filed under: Rides
Tagged: 2010, american legion, american legion posts, american legion riders, buffalo solkiers, chapter, east greenville station, fire-fighters, freedom riders, friends of the forgotten, highways, interstate, iron run, kings riders, memorial engine 911, milfort township, montgomery, motorcade, motorcycles, nypd blue knights, olsen, patriot guard, pennsburg station 65, pennsylvania, police, post 184, reading motorcycle club, ride, riders, soldiers angels, squadron, steel, veterans, warrior guard, world trade center
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In what was one of the largest processions to ever travel the highways of our area, the Sons of the American Legion Squadron #184 (S.A.L.), assembled a mass of motorcycles and other vehicles that took part in a motorcade on Saturday, October 9.  The sunny, 70-degree weather helped grow the number of participants in the “Iron Run”.  Just fewer than 3000 motorcycles participated in the emotional run.

Dozens of groups and organizations rode in the special event to deliver the 13-foot, 6,400-pound section of steel from Newark, NJ to Palm, PA.  The steel was once part of the towering World Trade Center destroyed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack.  It found its permanent home in a constructed memorial to those attacks, at the American Legion Post #184.

Some of the organizations who attended the ride include the American Legion Riders from posts all around the tri-state area, Kings Riders, Freedom Riders, Buffalo Soldiers, the Philly chapter of the Patriot Guard, the Warrior Guard, NYPD Blue Knights, Soldiers Angels, Friends of the Forgotten and many more.  Riders from at least five different states were a part of the motorcade.

The moving memorial Engine-911 truck, once owned by 41 year old New York fire-fighter Eric Olsen, was a part of the escort.  Olsen was killed in the September 11^th attack while performing his duties.

The truck was fully restored by Milford Township volunteer fire-fighters in 2003 as a memorial to all of the fire-fighters who died that day.

Montgomery County, Pa. East Greenville Station 38 & Pennsburg Station 65 also took part in the “Iron Run” by forming a crossed ladders gate.

The riders left the American Legion Headquarters in Palm at 8:30 a.m. and travelled to Oley where they gathered more riders.  The numbers grew again at the home of the Reading Motorcycle Club.  The mass of participants left Oley at 10 a.m. and met up with the truck carrying the steel at the Courtyard Marriot in Newark, NJ around 1 p.m.

At 2:30 p.m. the procession, with New Jersey State Police escort, left Newark for the trip home.  From Newark, the trip took them west on Interstate 78 through New Jersey and into Pennsylvania to Route 309.  Pennsylvania State Police took over escort duties at the state line over the Delaware River near Easton.  The group then travelled south on Route 309 to Quakertown where they turned west onto Route 663 to Route 29.

The “Iron Run” had just short of 3000 motorcycle escorts; bringing the piece of steel home to Post 184.  They had a confirmed eight miles of bikes, at highway speed, on route 78.  The giant highway signs going in both directions read: “9/11 steel escort… Expect delays…” That’s when they knew this was big!  Bikes were staged at the post, and then at Reading Motorcycle Club prior to the run.  They traveled to the Marriott courtyard at the Newark, NJ airport and met with the rollback and the piece of steel.  The group rested for an hour and then headed home.

The company travelled down Main Street (Route 29) in Pennsburg and East Greenville.  The residents and businesses along the route of travel came out and witnessed the event and displayed the American Flag prominently as the convoy passes by.

Once they arrived at the memorial in Palm, an informal ceremony was held.  Getting prepared for the “Iron Run”, Todd Nelson, Commander SAL Squadron 184 wasn’t sure how big the “Iron Run” will be but with the nice weather and amazing riders it was a huge success.  Nelson was thrilled with the large number of proud Americans that escorted the steel home.

They were greeted by Senator Bob Mensch, House of Representative Marcy Toepel, and many other local dignitaries.

The after ceremony picnic was explosive as the numbers showed:  1000 hamburgers, 1500 hot dogs and 31 kegs tapped.  They had to rent 5 port-a-potties.  They also enlisted the help of Knolls, a local manufacturing giant, to let them park all of the bikes.  The group had 2 full size busses shuttling riders two blocks from the parking spot.

Nelson stated, “All said and done, I didn’t have one problem with fighting or crime, and not one DUI, which speaks to the responsibility of the riders, as well as the mood of the cause.  We at squadron 184 are operating for God and Country and of course for Vets.  We achieved something for our Country and our community that we are all very proud of.  The Memorial immortalizes the tragic losses of 9-11-01.”

The SAL Motorcycle operators participated in the “Iron Run” for $20 and their riders for $15; other vehicles paid $15 to ride in the convoy.

The idea of the “Iron Run” is born

Posted: January 26, 2011 
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tagged: 9/11, american legion, american legion posts, american legion riders, cabral, chapter, memorial, pennsylvania, perkiomen, post 184, sal, sons of the american legion, steel, terror attacks, veterans, victims, world trade center
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It all started with an idea.  The Sons of the American Legion Squadron held one of their monthly meetings at Perkiomen Post 184, and Vincent T. Cabral mentioned an idea he had about something he saw on the internet.  By surfing the internet, Cabral found that there was a piece of steel from the World Trade Center available in hanger 17 at JFK.  The members of the Squadron all thought that it was a “pretty cool idea” but didn’t know if they would actually be able to pull it off.  They went on with their meeting and the other topics at hand.

Cabral got additional information about the steel and all of a sudden it seemed that this “pipe dream” could turn into reality.  The Squadron decided they were going to take that piece of steel and dedicate a memorial to the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks.

They had a lot to consider.   How were they going to get the piece of steel?  How were they going to pay for the memorial?  How were they going to plan the events?  And the “Iron Run” was born.

The idea of the “Iron Run” was conceived and quickly turned into quite an event.  Even months after the final dedication, the members are still high on the surge of Americans who showed up in droves to support their cause.

2011 Fall Festival

Posted: January 25, 2011 
Filed under: Rides
Tagged: 2011, american legion, chapters, fall festival, legionnaires, pennsylvania, riders, veteran service organization, veterans, vso
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Pennsylvania American Legion Post 940, Chapter 940 will host the 2011 Riders Fall Festival on September 23-25, 2011.  So, mark your calendars.  More Details to come

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