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National Commander LaCoursiere joins ride in North Carolina, throwing out first pitch for Fayetteville Woodpeckers game and then offering compliments to the ride’s participants.

It’s been a busy week for American Legion National Commander James LaCoursiere Jr.’s arm over the past week.

After throwing out the first pitch during an American Legion World Series game in Shelby, N.C., LaCoursiere traveled east to join up with the Legion’s national Legacy Run Sunday afternoon. He joined the Riders at American Legion Post 382 in Sanford and then later that day threw out the first pitch at the Fayetteville Woodpeckers baseball game – a strike down the middle.

The ride’s road guards also took a lap around Segra Stadium’s warning track, while a table featuring both the Veterans & Children Foundation (VCF) and the Legion’s Be the One veteran suicide prevention program was set up along the stadium’s main concourse.

LaCoursiere said the experience of throwing out the first pitch at both sites “has been fantastic. It’s part of our Americanism programs. I enjoy watching baseball … and when you put it together with 51�Թ� Family and the Legion Riders, to me that’s a win-win for 51�Թ�.”

And even if hundreds or thousands were watching his effort from the mound? “The first thing that crosses your mind is you hope you make it to the plate,” he said. “You don’t want to bounce it. I don’t want to embarrass 51�Թ� Family.

“You get that feeling of pride. But at the same time, you know you’re connecting with the fans.”

The stop at the Woodpeckers’ game brought an end to Day 1 of the ride, which started in South Boston, Va., with more than 300 motorcyclists and dozens more passengers.

LaCoursiere, a member of American Legion Riders Chapter 91 in Moosup, Conn., made it a point to thank the Riders during a Sunday lunch stop and later expanded on that, including their commitment to the VCF. “To me, that’s what the American Legion Riders are all about,” he said. “They’re about taking care of the future of our organization. They’re committed to helping us out every step of the way.”

Rookie Rider. Mark Tate has been on big motorcycle rides before, including a Toys for Tots ride that included around 900 motorcycles. But halfway into his first Legacy Run, he’s already impressed with the ride.

“I’ve ridden in some big rides before, but nothing this well-organized,” said the Legionnaire and Rider from American Legion Post 93 in Buchanan, Va. “Nothing with the flight leaders and tail gunner and that sort of thing. The road guards have been better than anything I’ve ever ridden in.

“And everybody’s been super friendly. Everybody’s been, ‘Hey, my name is so and so.’ It’s been a blast so far.”

Tate is riding with fellow Post 93 member Skip Cleveland. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do: a big benefit ride,” Tate said. “The cause is great. It looked like it would be a lot of fun. (Skip) and I have been talking about it for a while. And it’s been a lot of fun so far.”

The stop at Segra Stadium also included a trip around the stadium’s warning track by the ride’s road guards, as well as the honor guard from American Legion Post 116 in Fuquay Varina, N.C., providing the colors prior to the game.

A Proper Sendoff. In front of The Inspiration Lounge along 501 South, more than two dozen Virginia American Legion Riders stood along the road, saluting as the Legacy Run moved from there state into North Carolina.

Among those Riders was Leon Kowalewski, a member of Robert Vincent McMaugh Memorial Post 10 and the membership director of Chapter 10 in Manassas. He rode around 200 miles to see the Riders off as part of Virginia’s Fun Run, which brought Legion Riders from across the state to the South Boston area to see the Legacy Run leave the state.

He said he took the time “to support our fellow Riders and the cause that we all stand for: to support our veterans and their families.”

Kowalewski’s desire to be a Legion Rider comes from a few sources. “I think, first of all, we all love motorcycles. It’s what gets us going,” he said. “And then we have a common bond or a cause through the Legion. When we travel down the road, they see our vests, and they know we’re not just a gang. They know that we’re supporting our veterans.”

Also there to see off the ride was Mike Dolan, treasurer of ALR Chapter 176 in Springfield and a member of Post 24 in Alexandria. He rode 260 miles on Saturday to get to South Boston, Va., to be a part of the send-off.

“It’s a great ride,” he said. “As Riders, we’ll find any great ride. But this one, of course, is for a great cause. I couldn’t do the whole thing. I’m still working and all that. So, it’s a great opportunity to support the bigger effort. Big bike events are so much fun.”

Dolan said being a Legion Riders is “the best of both worlds. It’s a group thing. It’s camaraderie. It tests your skills. It keeps you involved in a hobby that you enjoy. But at the same time, you’re doing great stuff for great causes. It’s the best of everything.”

Lunch Stop. American Legion Post 382 in Sanford, N.C., provided a pulled pork lunch that included coleslaw, baked beans and a chance to get out of the midday sun.

Post 382 Commander David Walker said in preparation for the Riders’ stop, members of the post’s Legion Family were storing items for the meal in their own freezers and refrigerators.

“It’s 250 pounds of meat. It’s not something we do every day,” Walker said. “But we have really good support from our Auxiliary, from our Sons and the Riders. Together, you just muscle through and try to prepare as best as you can. It’s a lot of great support across the board. That’s the only way you can do this.”

Walker said hosting the stop “is what we’re here for: to make sure we’re supporting one another. This is the reason we’re here. We’re here to support one another, to support the mission. And it brings life to the post.”

On hand at Post 382 to greet the ride and then travel with it the rest of the day was American Legion Department of North Carolina Commander Devell “Bo” Durham Jr. He said he wanted to come out to support the ride as it traveled through his state and came from the American Legion World Series in Shelby, N.C., to do so.

“It was important that I drive down this morning,” he said. “When you come into my house, I want to be a part of the celebration. That was the main reason that I had to be here.”

Durham was impressed by the number of Riders taking part in this year’s ride. “For me, the (amount) is epic,” he said. “To have that many dedicated … is above and beyond. They came together at a time in our nation when people may be struggling. We’re going to make sure we’re going to do our part.”

Donations Grow. With Sunday’s contributions of $9,575, the money raised for the Veterans & Children Foundation grew to $266,094. Those donations included $2,575 from Marion, Iowa, Post 298’s Riders and Auxiliary Unit, as well as $2,350 from Eastern Shore Post 199 in Fairhope, Ala.

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