Polar Bear Ride was great, Bob, Ed and Thom took a ride through Orange, Louisa and Albemarle Counties and had lunch at the Inwood. You all missed a great ride. On Sunday, October 7 at 8 AM, a group of us went to Mathews Virginia for a breakfast at The American Legion Post. The Post does breakfast, on the 1st Sunday of every month. This is the home post for our Department Commander, Andy Robertson and he was our waiter. On Friday, September 21, 2007, The American Legion Riders of Virginia presented an American Legion Riders Banner to the Virginia War Memorial to be placed on display with flags and banners from most of the organized Veteran's groups who operate in Virginia. This banner was paid for by members of The American Legion Riders of Virginia and was presented by Thom Guthrie, a Vice Chairman of the American Legion Riders Sub-Committee, Department of Virginia (and our SAA) and Bob Nowak, our Director. The banner was presented to the Board of Directors of the Virginia War Memorial at their noon meeting. We also attended a ceremony to honor the POW/MIA of all wars at 10 AM. Thom Guthrie, Sergeant at Arms/Head Road Captain rode in the Legacy Run from Indianapolis IN to Reno NV with the Department Commander, Andy Robertson, to raise money for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. The Department of Virginia Commander presented checks totally over $10,000 from Virginia American Legion Posts, ALR Chapters, Auxiliary Units and Sons of The American Legion Squadrons. The ride has raised over $409,000 on this years' ride alone. Last year we raised $163,000. This fund is to provide scholarships for the dependants of military members killed on active duty since 9/11/2001. Any eligable dependant who is a high school senior or graduate may apply for the scholarship annually (it is renewable). We want to make sure that the children who have lost a parent defending this country do not have to forgo a college education. On July 5th, we particpated in a parade in Louisa and took a trophy. On July the 4th, we rode in the Parade in Scottsville and took the 1st place trophy for motorcycle units. - Sunday, June 3, 2007, our chapter held a state wide meeting at our Post, this is the 1st annual meeting. The group discussed changes to the ALR State By-Laws which were approved at the Department of Virginia Internal Affairs Meeting held on June 9, 2007.
Saturday, June 9 and Sunday June 10, Riders from our chapter provided "Safety Patrols" for the MS 150 Bicycle Ride in Charlottesville. This ride is to help raise funds to fight MS. All who participated had a great time. On Friday, May 15, five of our members represented The American Legion in a parade in Mineral VA (at the request of the local American Legion Post) and we received a trophy. - On April the 21st, we participated in the antique automobile and motorcycle ride begining at the Virginia War Memorial. None of us won the 2007 Harley that was given away, but we had a great ride.
April 14, seven of us participated in a Small Pox emergency drill for the Rappahanick-Rapidan Emergency Medical Teams. We held a short business meeting and then roade to Culpeper for the drill.
- March 31, District Conference at Mechanicsville Post, Bob Nowak and I attended, Bob has been appointed as the Committee Chairman for American Legion Riders in the 13th District.
- On March the 10th, we had a good meeting and took a 40 mile ride through Louisa and Orange Counties. Everyone who rode had a good time. We now have twelve members.
On February the 3rd, three members, Bob Nowak, Director, Thom Guthrie, SAA and Jeff Davis (Prospective member pending acceptance into The American Legion) went to Roanoke and delivered items to be sent to our military people serving in Iraq. We traveled in a cage due to the extreme weather. The Soldiers for Jesus hoped to send ten boxes to Iraq and collected enough for over 200. We helped them collect outside of the Super Wal-Mart. On our way back, we visited the "D-Day Memorial" in Bedford. If you have not visited the memorial, it is worth the drive. In January, we took a ride to Arlington National Cemetery to see the 5,000 Wreaths which are sent from Maine each year. These are sent by an individual who never served in the military, but only wants to say thank you for all of those who did serve and give him his freedom. He does this at his own expense and does not accept any contibutions to offset the cost. We also visited the Tomb of the Unknowns, John F. Kennedy grave site, and took a tour of the cemetary. We are planning on making this an annual event.
We also visited the Tomb of the Unknowns, John F. Kennedy gravesite and took a tour of the cemetery. We plan on making this an annual event. Meeting for Breakfast on the way up. One of the sections with the Wreaths  
Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns We did not take the ride on January 1, 2007 due to the rain. On January 2nd, we took a ride from Sheetz in Madison, had lunch in Stanardsville and then went down Rt. 810 to Crozet and then returned home about 100 miles. It was a beautiful day and we had four riders. |