Ed Doitteau

Legacy SITE Web Manager

I gained much of my vast technological experience working in a variety of industries and educational institutions. What carved my path into this discipline was my 15 years of honorable and good conduct in the United States Navy as a Cryptologic Technician. I am proud to serve the communities as an America Legionnaire while maintaining my membership with Post 111 Healdsburg.

Although, I still hold a “9 to 5” very demanding job as a Project Manager at Duckhorn Wine Company in Sonoma County; I will always make the time to serve our veterans and community.

Rochelle M. Billet-Smith

Department Membership Officer \ CLR Chairperson

I work for Kaiser Permanente in the OB-GYN Department in Bakersfield, CA. My involvement in the American Legion is due to being a spouse /widow of a Veteran who served during the Vietnam War. I currently serve as the 1st Vice President of Auxiliary Unit 26; 1st Vice President for the Auxiliary 15th District; Secretary of ALR Chapter 26; ALRDOC Department Membership Officer; and Chairperson of 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 California Legacy Runs. As a founding member of the California Legacy Run Committee one of my tasks has been planning the stops for all three days of the run.

It is the hope of the California Legacy Run Committee that individual and corporate donations will allow the American Legion Riders from the Department of California to make a sizeable contribution to the American Legion Legacy Scholarship fund at the American Legion National Convention. Please join us and make a difference!

Debbie “Den Mother” Proffitt

ALRDOC Secretary

California born and raised. I have 4 adult children, a Daughter-In-Law and 2 grandsons. I worked 36 years with special needs students.

My maternal 4th great grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War. Both sides of the family fought in the Civil War. My father was a Navy vet of World War II. My uncles were Air Force vets during the Korean war. Multiple cousins are veterans and my 2 sons are Army veterans.

I joined the American Legion Auxiliary in 2006 as a way to give back to our veterans, enlisted and community. In 2012 I join the American Legion Riders Chapter 716 and have been, and continue to be, Chapter Secretary and Judge Advocate since then. In 2017 I became the American Legion Riders Department of California Secretary and Assistant Treasurer. In 2019 I was part of the committee to put together the California Legacy Run and became the Legacy Run Treasurer.

The California Legacy Run supports the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund where no hero’s child will be left behind!!

Art “Gunny” Odom

President - Chapter 716

Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran. Seventeen years enlisted and Reserve. Worked 34 years with Pepsi. Joined the American Legion in 2003. Joined the Riders in 2008. Currently President with Chapter 716. Joined the VFW in 1970. Joined the 1st Marine Division Orange County Chapter in 1999 and am currently the Sergeant At Arms.

Mick Sobczak

“Being an American Legion Rider transcends generations,”

Mick Sobczak, Jr. Past President, Department of California American Legion Riders. Sobczak served in both the Marine Corps and the Army and retired as a combat engineer from the Army. He is a 10-year Legion member and the son of a 32-year Legion member from New York.

“We are a program of The American Legion, We are Legion Family members serving veterans and our community. We just happen to do it on motorcycle. If you’re in the military family and you want to ride, you’re welcome.”

Paul LaPierre

ALR Chapter 684

I joined the American Legion in 2013 as a member of Post 1000.  In 2015, I joined Post 684 in Ridgecrest and was one of the original founding members of Chapter 684 as Vice President.  Later, I moved up to Chapter President and now am the Past President, Treasurer and Road Captain.   

In 2018, my wife April and I along with several others from California (Ralph, Papa, Mike, John, Debbie, Art, Brian, Mary) participated in the National Legacy Scholarship run.  While enjoying dinner in Arizona the group started brainstorming ideas on how we could start a Legacy Run in California.  After several fun filled rainy, stormy, sunshine days of riding together we all came best of friends.  Seeing what much smaller States were able to donate to such a great cause, we committed to seeing this idea to fruition.   

Currently employed at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division as a Supervisor Logistics Management Specialist and the Division Head for the Weapons Logistics Integration Division. 

The rest is history! 

April Camacho LaPierre

ALR Chapter 684 Vice President

For over 30 years, I was a social worker and made a career change providing logistical support to various programs at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division.  In 2015, I joined the American Legion Auxiliary, Post 684 as one of the first five original founding members of ALR 684, holding different positions, currently serving as the Vice President. 

In 2018, I participated in a life changing adventure, The National American Legion Legacy Run. While at dinner with our California group in Arizona, we started spit balling ideas for a potential California Legacy Run. Realizing states smaller than California were providing HUGE donations towards this worthy cause, I believe the Run turned into a recon mission. 

The 14 states in 16 days from the seat of my Breakout was inspirational and humbling. The Patriotism, generosity, and American spirt I witnessed to support the education of children of our deceased and/or wounded Heroes was like nothing I had ever seen before. Town after town, event after event, thousands and thousands of dollars donated for a total of over 1.3 million dollars that year. 

The camaraderie, friendships, and experiences were brought back to California creating the California Legacy Run committee, holding its first Run in 2019.   I am optimistic, with time, this will grow and become an annual event, attracting hundreds of Riders, and raising thousands of dollars for the education of our Hero’s children. 

Ralph Wenzinger AKA “PB&J”

I am honored to currently serve as the Vice Director for the American Legion Riders, Department of California. I have held numerous positions in both the American Legion Riders and the American Legion, Department of California over the course of my 13-year membership in the Legion. My  eligibility for  membership comes from my service in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. I am retired from the Bakersfield, CA police department after a 30-year career where, amongst my assignments, was 12 years as a motorcycle officer / instructor.

I am one of the “original six” who brainstormed the idea of a California Legacy Run over dinner one evening while riding to Kansas to participate in the National Legacy Scholarship Run in August 2018.  It truly was a life changing experience which continues to motivate me. I am fortunate to  count those I rode with to Kansas as lifelong friends. As a founding member of the California Legacy Run  committee since its inception in September 2018, one of my tasks has been planning the route and stops for each of the Runs.

Please join us as we undertake a new mission: funding the American Legion Veterans and Children’s Foundation.

Mike Cash “Papa Mike”

Born and raised at Camp Pendleton in a enlisted family and moved to China Lake in the late 50's.  My life has always been about the military.  Good times and bad.  It did teach me about honor and a passion to serve.  After college I joined Naval Air as a Air Delivered Weapons System Program Manager.  1980 to 2011.  After retirement I continued to work with the national foundation I stared in 2003.  Operation Family supports our families of severely injured OEF and OIF veterans and their caregivers.  The foundation has grown to a multi million dollar foundation from a start of 100 dollars. 

My passion of riding motorcycles turned into another way to serve thru Patriot Guard Riders in 2005 with over 200 missions, then Run For The Wall and Rolling Thunder in 2011 with 9 rides all the way across America to American Legion Riders in 2015.  I had the honor to ride two cross country rides with the ALR National Legacy rides 2017 and 2018.  I was involved with the first California Legacy run and hope to see this run grow and provide funding to our children of military KIA and wounded.  It is such and honor to provide funding to our veterans support organizations like American Legion and many others.  "The Honor is in Serving"  to support our military and their families.  God bless the United States of America.