PHOTOS: 3rd California Legacy Run a Success

Fuel Stop and briefing at Interstate 5 and Hwy 12 prior to California Delta

Over the weekend of June 10-12, the American Legion Riders from the Department of California held their third California Legacy Run. Unlike the previous two Runs where there was a single route, there were two routes for participants to choose to from this year.

The northern route started in Ft Bragg and, after two days of traveling down Highway 1 thru San Francisco, Salinas, and Hollister, joined the southern route in Turlock. The southern route started at Bakersfield and travelled thru the central valley with stops in Dinuba, Sanger, Clovis, and Fresno. Both routes made visits at veteran’s cemeteries for wreath laying’s and at other points of interest such as the Western Regional Vietnam Memorial Wall, the California 9-11 Memorial, the California Veterans’ Home at Fresno, and Department  of California Headquarters.

On the final day, both routes traveled together from Turlock thru the California Delta to Sacramento where a final wreath laying was held at the veteran’s memorial at Eastlawn Memorial Park. From that location the Riders scattered back to their homes around California.

The approximately 70 Riders and support personnel who participated in the Run not only paid a registration fee to ride, but also paid for their lodging, fuel, and meals. Several American Legion Posts on both routes graciously hosted lunches and dinners at nominal cost or for free.

The purpose of the California Legacy Run is to support the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. The funds raised this year will be donated at the National Convention in Milwaukee. Last year, approximately $28,000 was raised.  This year, over $53,000 was raised through registration fees, the Legacy Run Quilt raffle, business and public donations, and donations from all parts of the California American Legion family.

The ALR California Legacy Run Committee, chaired by Rochelle M. Billet-Smith, is already working on next year’s Run.

Ralph Wenzinger is vice director for the American Legion Riders, Department of California