Starting on Sunday, August 19, hundreds of veterans on a motorcycles will caravan across seven states, united by one common goal: to raise scholarship money for children of U.S. military personnel killed on duty since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

American Legion National Commander Paul A. Morin will lead the second annual “American Legacy Run” from The American Legion’s headquarters city of Indianapolis, Indiana to the 89th Annual American Legion National Convention in Reno, Nevada.

The Riders will depart Indianapolis and run through Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming and Idaho to raise $250,000 for the American Legacy Scholarship Fund.

As an unfortunate consequence of America’s war on terror, many children of our active-duty military personnel are now members of single-parent families. In most cases, this also means their chances to attend college have greatly diminished. Children of military personnel who die on active duty are entitled to receive some money toward a college education, but it is not enough.

Providing for the children our military personnel left behind is our civic duty, and an education is a powerful way to show our thanks. Members of The American Legion Family are working together to make sure their children have the opportunity these parents were unable to provide.

According to American Legacy Run event planners, hundreds of motorcycle riders are expected to participate in the five-day journey from Indianapolis to the 2007 Annual American Legion National Convention in Reno. Hundreds more, from all over America, are expected to hook up at some point along the way. Legionnaires at posts along the route to Reno will conduct fundraising activities and events in support of the American Legacy Scholarship Fund.

Not all Riders can start the event in Indianapolis or join the Legacy Run enroute to Reno. Therefore the American Legacy Run event planners encourages American Legion Riders and friends from all points of the compass to travel directly to Reno to attend the National Convention and American Legion Rider Rally.

It is not necessary to ride with The Legacy Run from Indianapolis to participate in this national event—but we hope you can join us. In fact, this is something that all Americans can support.

Every citizen of America can contribute as a tangible way of saying ‘thank you.’ If you ride a motorcycle, join us. If you don’t, become a non-rider supporter.

Registration is $35 per rider and $15 per passenger, which pays for access to the run and associated activities. A commemorative packet will be given to all registrants. A "Supporter" option on the Registration Form is for the convenience of those who wish to contribute the registration fee of $35 to support The American Legion Legacy Run. They will receive the Run Patch and the full registration package with our compliments.

Riders will stop in every state along the route for promotional events and to collect donations from Riders, American Legion Family members and business communities along the way. Stops and events planned include:

August 18, 2007 Final Registration and Road Captain training at American Legion Post 500, Speedway, Indiana.

August 19, Early morning assembly and departure from Post 500.

August 19, Overnight stop in Iowa City, Iowa

August 20, Overnight stop in Grand Island, Nebraska

August 21 – Overnight stop in Cheyenne, Wyoming

August 22 – Overnight stop in Evanston, Wyoming

August 23 – Overnight stop in Elko, Nevada

August 24 – Early afternoon arrival in Reno, Nevada

August 25 – American Legion Riders National Rally

August 26 – American Legion National Convention Parade