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.

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 
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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.

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

4 Corners Ride

Posted: January 25, 2011 
Filed under: Rides
Tagged: 2011, american legion, american legion riders, chapter, chester, erie, family, four corners, legacy fund, may, motorcycle, new milford, pennsylvania, ride, riders, tee shirts, veterans, wasco, washington
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Greetings Fellow Legion Riders,

I am writing to announce our plans to conduct a Four Corners of Pennsylvania Ride.  The four corners are: Washington, Erie, New Milford, and Chester.  The ride will be held May 20 – 23, 2011 (rain or shine). The total mileage is 917 and the starting point has not been determined.

The purpose of the ride is to raise money for the Legacy Fund.  The Legacy Fund is sponsored by national headquarters.  Traditionally, State Chapters denote to this fund.  This will be the first time, to my knowledge, that representatives from Pennsylvania will participate and contribute.

We plan to raise money for our contribution by selling ads for $100.00, to be placed on the rear of tee-shirts for the event.  We are also hoping that all of the 96 Pennsylvania chapters will contribute, resulting in almost $10,000.00. Other organizations within the American Legion family may also make donations of any amount.  Ads for organizations that make a $100.00 donation will also be placed on the event tee-shirts. Proceeds from the ads will go to the Fund and proceeds from the tee-shirts sales will go to the PA Legion Riders.

Please notify your Regional Director, and copy me by April 15, 2011 if you plan to support this activity.  You will receive more details regarding the ride as details are finalized. Any chapter willing to assist from the Erie, New Milford, or Chester areas please notify me.

Sincerely,

Charles Oakley

State President

P.S. The Department Commander is also planning on participating in this ride.

Click Here for the registration form

Participate in a Chili Cook Off!!!

Posted: November 23, 2010 
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tagged: 50/50 raffle, 500, admission fee, admission fees, american legion, american legion posts, annual, best overall, bus, chapter, chili cook off, cooking, determine, dollars, donations, entries, entry fee, event planning, finals, food, fund raising, guidelines, hospital, invite, lawn fire company, Lebanon, lebanon va, liability waiver, may, most unique, organization, participate, pennsylvania, people choice, preliminary, refreshment sales, registration, registration form, ride, riders, rules, supporter, t-shirt sales, three categories, transportation, va, vendor space fees, veterans, volunteer services, welcome
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The American Legion Riders would like to invite you to participate in the 1st Annual Veterans Benefit Chili Cook-Off on May 14, 2011 at the Lawn Fire Company in Lawn, PA from 1:00pm to 9:00pm.

Get ready to get your Chili on …

We would like to invite your organization to participate in the 1st Annual Chili Cook‐off benefit for Veterans. This fund raising event is organized by members from combined American Legion Rider Chapters to maximize our fundraising potential. The top priority for this event is to raise monies to assist with the purchase of a bus for the Lebanon VA Hospital. The current bus is a 1973 vintage that is in desperate need of replacement. In the event that monies raised exceed the amount required to complete the fundraising for the bus the remaining funds will be used to construct and furnish rooms at the Lebanon VA Hospital to assist patients transition back into life after surgeries.

The structure of the event is as follows:

Preliminary Cook-off events

Each organization will hold their own Cook-off event to determine their entries in three categories, Best Overall, Most Unique and People Choice.  It will be up to each organization to organize and promote their event.  Some suggestions on how monies from each event can be raised are:

$20 – Entry Fee

$10 – Admission Fee

$$$ – 50/50 Raffle(s)

Fund Raising potential would be as follows (minimum estimates):

5 entries @ $20 each = $100

50 paid admissions = $500

50/50 Raffle(s) = $100

Totaling $700

** We are asking that each organization make a minimum donation of $500 with their entry.  Additional donations WELCOME!!  Donation for entry into the finals can be made in one of two ways:

• A check in the amount of $400 sent directly to the Lebanon VA Hospital in support of the Bus Fund.  Checks sent directly to the Lebanon VA Hospital should be sent to address below.  A copy of the canceled check in the amount of $400 or letter from the Hospital representative acknowledging receipt of funds to accompany Chili Finals Cook-off registration form.  In addition a donation of $100 is provided with Finals event entry form.  Check to be made out as outlined on the registration form.  The $100 is needed to assist with up front finals event start-up costs.

• A donation in the amount of $500 sent with the Finals event Registration form.

If you are not part of an organization or your group is too small to organize a preliminary chili cook-off event contact one of the event planners below (Final Cook-Off event) for information on participating organizations to “team” with.

If you organization plans on participating in the 1st Annual Veterans Benefit Chili cook-off please contact one of the final cook-off event planners below as soon as possible.  This information will be needed to pass along to smaller organizations or individuals that would like to participate but do not have the resources to do so.

Final Cook-Off event

Organizing and promoting of this event will be done by the main event planners:

If you would like information on how you can help with this event please contact one of the two individuals above.

No individual entries will be permitted at the finals event.  The only entries allowed at this level will be from participating organizations.  The reason for this is to maximize fundraising potential at the local levels.  For information on participating organizations contact one of the final event planners.

Monies from this event will be raised as follows:

• Registration Donations
• Admission Fees
• Refreshment sales
• T-shirt Sales
• 50/50 Raffles
• Vendor Space fees

A full financial accounting report will be provided to each participating organization within 45 days of the completion of the final event upon request.

Also included in this article you will find:

1. Preliminary event planning packet.  This packet will help you get your local organization cook-off underway.  We have done most of the up front leg work for you developing forms, suggested rules, suggested cooking/transportation guidelines etc.  Click Here for this information
2. Final event information packet which includes a Registration Form, Rules, Cooking/transportation Guidelines, Supporter Package Information and Participant Liability Waiver.  Click Here for this information

We hope you will join us in this effort to help meet needs at the Lebanon PA VA Hospital.  LET THE TRASH TALKIN BEGIN!!

Click Here for a printer friendly version of this information

Click Here for the poster of the event

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