Two canines have become popular participants on this years Legacy Run.
More than 300 American Legion Riders registered for this years Legacy Run. There also were dozens of passengers signed up to participate.
And though all those passengers are greatly appreciated, two have particularly stuck out: Caesar and Crossbones.
And no, those are not nicknames. One is a standard poodle, the other a toy poodle. And both are a welcome addition to this years ride.
Its awesome. He doesnt like to go to a kennel, because for some reason he doesnt think hes a dog. He thinks hes a human, said Joshuajun Hinton, a member of Post and ALR Chapter 197 in Jacksonville, Fla., and one of Crossbones owners. He loves seeing all the people: people petting him and talking to him. He just loves it.
A 12-year-old toy poodle, Crossbones is riding on the back of the motorcycle of Joshuajun, who is on the ride with her husband, Chapter 197 Director Mark Hinton. The dog is no stranger to motorcycles.
We have quite a few motorcycles at home so hes always around the motorcycles, Joshuajun said. So, every time his dad pulls a motorcycle out to clean it, he comes and wants to get in it. So, he knows motorcycles are our way of life. He just gets in there and rides around.
The pup also is an experienced rider. Crossbones has been riding for about two years now, Joshuajun said. His brother passed away. They were tied at the hip, so since he didnt have anybody, he got a little anxiety. He wants to go everywhere with us. So, we just put him on the back of the motorcycle, and hes been riding ever since.
Caesar, meanwhile, is a 20-week-old standard poodle and is the service dog for Angel Christin, a member of Post 268 in Riviera, Fla., and Floridas District 11 adjutant. Christin is on the ride with a few Chapter 268 members, including Director Jason Christin her husband.
Caesar is 20 weeks old and has been Angels service dog for nine of those, being provided by the Florida-based Paws 4 Liberty. Day 3 of the Legacy Run was only his sixth day of actually riding, but hed gotten used to being on a motorcycle before that.
Ill be honest: We started getting him acclimated to his seat about two months before the ride, Angel said. He jumped up on the bike and was ready to go.
And her dog has been doing well, despite the southern heat. He loves the ride. Honestly, I think he does better with the heat than we do., she said. We take precautions. We make sure every time we stop, he drinks water. We wet him down if its really, really hot. Hes got sun shades.
And he provides a level of security to his owner. I love the fact that I have him so close to me, Angel said. That Im able to do this with him.
Coming Through in a Pinch. Monday evening, Legacy Run leadership learned that their original rally point for mid-afternoon in Charleston had fallen through. But through a series of phone calls, and an exceptional effort by a local Riders chapter, the ride found a place to stage its motorcycles and then some.
With South Carolina Legionnaires working with ride leadership, word reached American Legion Post 147 in James Island that the Riders needed a place gather after the days gas stop in Mount Pleasant.
And its Riders chapter didnt hesitate to meet the challenge. In addition to providing the Riders with a place to park their motorcycles, it also served hot dogs, chips and water to those on the ride. And they did so with less than 20 hours of prep time.
Were all brothers. Whether youre a veteran or a supporter of a veteran, were brothers, Post 147 Commander and Chapter Director Thaddeus Ted Sikorski said. People dont understand the importance of 51勛圖 and of what (the Riders) are doing. Thats why we did it.
They called, and last night just happened to be our meeting. All of my Riders, with the exception of those who had to work, jumped on this and said, Lets do this.
It made Sikorski proud to see the way his chapter responded. Theyre a phenomenal group, and theyre the ones who pulled it off, he said. This is something we had to do. We cant let (the Legacy Run participants) just try to figure out a parking lot or something. Its a great event.
Post 147 Legionnaire and Rider Ron Tucker, who was moving throughout the post, helping with just about everything to include facilitating swaps of license plates from his post with Riders and their posts plates.
The Legion Riders have a can-do attitude, Tucker said. The Legion Riders here at Post 147 we dont say no.
Assistant Chief Road Captain David Heredia, who just wrapped up a year as commander of the Department of Maryland and worked with the post and others to coordinate the stop, came away impressed.
Im all about family. And thats what this is, he said. When a post understands the importance of supporting the cause that were doing. The (post) leadership was more than happy to step up. They know the importance of what the mission is: the (Veterans and Children Foundation).
Roadside Support. In what has become a highlight for many of the Riders, local schoolchildren lined the route in support of those taking part in the Legacy Run.
Dozens of students from St. James-Santee Elementary and Middle School in McClellanville, S.C., stood alongside 17 South, waving U.S. flags and cheering as the procession of 270-plus motorcycles drove by. And in Mount Pleasant, Wando High School students including those taking part in JROTC also stood outside to share their support.
It is so important for our children to be aware and to be knowledgeable about our military system, St. James-Santee Principal LaCarma McMillan said. We live in an amazing country. Those who have fought, those who have been a part of our U.S. military, it just means so much for our children to see veterans and their family members participate in such a meaningful activity.
Two of the veterans on staff at the school, bookkeepers secretary Shelia Deas and Student Concerns Specialist Virgil Hockaday Deas an Air Force veteran, Hockaday a former member of the Army also stood outside to support the ride.
Deas said watching the procession was just amazing. It was just so heartfelt. There were so many of (the Riders). I really enjoyed seeing this.
Hockaday said he planned to talk in depth with the students about what they witnessed and had praise for those taking part in the Legacy Run.
They have served their country. And now theyre continuing to serve, Hockaday said. And were thankful for the fact we still have a country as great as ours, with great people still wanted to do great things.
Georgia Legion Rider Carl Brady, the director of Willie B. Hatcher American Legion Riders Chapter 516 in McDonough, Ga., and sergeant-at-arms of Georgias Fourth District, appreciated the show of support.
Emotionally, its a good thing. Its a heart-felt, warm, welcome-home feeling, he said. Its good to see the kids out there. And theyll remember, hopefully, the event where all these motorcycles rode through their neighborhood or school, and they got to see them.
Brady is on his second Legacy Run and was very clear when it came to his reason for coming back this year. Its the people. Comrades-in-arms, he said. Well always find something in common. And that brings us together, and thats why were here. And thats why we do what we do.
Amazed by the Ride. The day began with a parking lot stop at Walmart in Georgetown, S.C. The Riders got a chance to take a break, while a veteran working at the store got a chance to see the Legacy Run on full display.
I did not know what to expect until I was out there now actually seeing it. Its amazing, said Store Manager Latrina McCrea, who retired from the U.S. Army as a master sergeant in 2021. This is the first time Ive seen this many bikes in our parking lot. Our customers are amazed in the store. Everyone is stopping in wanting to know whats going on.
McCrea was happy to facilitate the stop. Im a veteran, she said. Because Im a veteran, I want to support other veterans. And its a good cause.
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