How we did it

Great ideas born out of passion

On August 14, 2018, six American Legion Riders from ALRDOC Chapters 26, 684 and 716 departed California to join approximately 500 Riders from across the United States in Hutchinson, Kansas for the running of the 13th Annual American Legacy Run, more commonly known as "The Legacy Run."

While having dinner on the first night of their ride to Kansas, the six California Riders, Paul and April LaPierre; Michael Cash, Debbie Proffitt and Art "Gunny" Odom, Ralph Wenzinger and Rochelle M.Billet-Smith began discussing and wondering why, if California is always leading the way, then why we didn't have a state Legacy Run as many other departments do?

The committee

The brainstorming continued as the California Riders traveled together and eventually were joined by Mick Sobczak, ALRDOC President. The idea was pitched to President Sobczak and a committee was established to plan and put on the 1st California Legacy Run. The committee, including Rochelle M.Billet-Smith and 12 other Riders which have been meeting twice a month since returning in September from the National Legacy Run the committee was formed and chaired by Michael Cash.

In the books

On June 28, 2019 the American legion Riders’ Inaugural Scholarship Run was entered into the books with no medical issues, no mechanical issues, no accidents. Mick Sobczak Jr. Past ALRDOC President along with Marten Borg from American Legion Post 149 presented a $23,906.00 check on behalf of the California Legion Riders for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund during the 101st national convention of The American Legion in Indianapolis, Indiana.