The Second Annual American Legion Heroes to Hometowns Golf Classic teed off Thursday morning, already knowing who the winners would be: the children of U.S. military personnel killed on duty since 9/11. Many of these children will benefit from The American Legion Legacy Scholarship fund, which is getting more than $25,000 raised by the golfing event at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington.

"Checks are still coming in," said Joseph Sharpe, director of The American Legion Economic Division, which helps coordinate the tournament. Seventy-four players - two more than the course's official capacity - took part in this year's event. The first H2H Golf Classic netted $15,000 last year.

The tournament pairs wounded warriors with potential employers, including members of The American Legion Business Task Force, a component of the Legion's Economic Commission.

Members of the task force, corporate executives and American Legion National Commander Clarence E. Hill were paired up with no fewer than 15 wounded warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and other veterans.

The tournament benefits veterans and their families on a number of fronts.

First, it puts wounded veterans seeking new careers into the company of potential employers. Second, it allows those veterans and Legion supporters to raise money to help families who have lost loved ones in the global war on terrorism. Third, it raises awareness of Heroes to Hometowns, a national transition-assistance program of The American Legion's Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Division.

"There is promotional value, and there is employment value to these wounded warriors," Sharpe said. "They get to network with employers and corporate sponsors."

Business Task Force members and their companies contributed money for the scholarship fund, sponsored wounded warriors as players and donated prizes for the event. Results will be reported in next week's American Legion Online Update and on www.legion.org.

Reprinted from the American Legion Online Update.  To subscribe click here.