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| Sam Reeder |
By Steve B.
Brooks
American Legion
Multi-Media Editor
SANBORN, NY -- Department
of New York Commander Tim Van Patten joined National Commander Fang Wong and
Legionnaires from across the country for the American Legion Riders Legacy Run
pre-run rally on Aug. 20 -- where Sam Reeder, director of Post 1451's American
Legion Riders chapter in Sanborn, watched seven months of work come together.
It should have
been a perfect Monday, but Reeder’s father passed away earlier in the day,
putting a damper on what was a fine moment for him and his cohorts. Still, the
man who helped organize Post 1451’s role in this year’s Legacy Run, was at the
pre-ride rally, serving as emcee and taking it all in.
“Words can’t
describe how this feels,” said Reeder, who was planning on going on his first
Legacy Run but will only be able to travel part of the way before returning
home. “It’s really pretty overwhelming seeing how this all came together. It
was a complete team effort. Every department within our post helped out.”
Reeder said he
got the call in January from National Headquarters that Post 1451 would serve
as the launching point for this year’s Legacy Run National Commander’s Ride.
The post organized several excursions to area attractions – including Niagara
Falls – Aug. 18 and 19. The post also opened up its doors for Riders at night,
providing meals and concerts. Monday night was a spaghetti dinner for the more
than 350 Ride participants.
Reeder said he
breathed a sigh of relief as the night’s events came to an end. “But it’s not
at all because we’re glad this is over,” he said. “It’s because it’s a sense of
accomplishment.”
During the
evening – which saw more than $40,000 donated to this year’s Legacy Run – Wong praised Legion Riders for their efforts in
bringing in $3 million for the Legacy Fund since its inception. “Within the
Legion family, the Legion has the (National Emergency Fund),” Wong said. “The
Sons of The American Legion takes care of the Child Welfare Foundation. And the
Legion Riders take care of the Legacy Fund.”
Other guests at
the post included New York State Sen. George D. Maziarz, American Legion Past
National Commander Tom Cadmus, National Executive Committeeman Charles I.
Herschlag, various other district and county commanders, and a Hamburg, N.Y.
resident Nick Stone, an OEF veteran who lost a leg when a nearby fellow soldier
hit an IED in Afghanistan.
Also present was
Melissa Lammerts, the widow of Army Staff Sgt. Michael S. Lammerts of Amherst,
who was killed in action in Afghanistan in April 2011. Melissa brought her two
young children – Savannah, 5, and Michael, 3 – with her to the event. “Those
are two future recipients of the Legacy Scholarship Fund,” Reeder said.
On Aug. 21, the
official start of the run, Riders made a stop at Niagara Falls and another stop
in Salamanca, N.Y., at Post 535, before ending the day in Ohio, and then on to stops
in Michigan and Indiana for the National Convention in Indianapolis.
