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Nearly $263,000 donated to the Veterans & Children Foundation, including more than $235,000 from the Maryland Gold Star Legacy Run.

The 20^th anniversary of �鶹��ƵAV Legacy Run is off to a pretty good start. And it wasn’t even Day 1 yet.

At the ride’s kickoff event at Towers’ Frontier Harley-Davidson in Lincoln, Neb., more than $263,000 was donated toward the Legion’s Veterans & Children Foundation (VCF).

A large chunk of that total came from the American Legion Department of Maryland’s 11^th annual Gold Star Legacy Run. With Saturday’s donation of around $236,000, the ride has raised more than $1.23 million – first for �鶹��ƵAV Legacy Scholarship Fund, and then more than $625,000 the past three years for the VCF.

“I never dreamt that it would get to this point,” said Sons of �鶹��ƵAV Past National Commander Joe Gladden, who started the Gold Star Legacy Run in 2016. “But the money kept coming in and coming in.”

Gladden takes pride in the amount the ride has raised for the VCF in the past three years. “I think it really comes down to us continuing the benefits of this program, of what this program is really doing,” he said. “Helping veterans with children that have financial distress … and the service officer side of it. All of the funds the veterans are getting from service officers helping them get the benefits they deserve. And when you throw out the numbers – we’re responsible for billions of dollars of veteran benefits – that’s a great selling point for us.”

Amplifying that message were two American Legion-accredited veteran service officers: Department of Nebraska Service Officer James Foster and Sarpy County Veteran Service Officer Kendra Stachum.

Both shared the importance of the Legion’s training. “For me, it’s seeing the different service officers across the state have success with claims,” Foster said. “It’s �鶹��ƵAV, them putting that training to use every day and providing high-quality advocacy for veterans as they work.”

“I will say the training I receive from �鶹��ƵAV is indispensable,” Stachum added. “It really teaches you the ins and outs of how to work an intricate system.”

During his briefing, American Legion Riders National Chairman David Heredia Jr. also spoke about the importance of the VCF, noting that the training it funds “helps those veterans ensure they get the maximum from their claims. It’s the families and the veterans who we ride for. Who we serve. That’s why I call you ‘Champions of Hope.’ You provide hope.”

The kickoff event also included multiple speakers, including two American Legion past national commanders. One of those was American Legion Past National Commander Dave Rehbein, a member of Post 37 in Ames – where the ride will make its first stop on Sunday at the Gold Star Hall at Iowa State University. Rehbein talked about the Legion’s history and founding members, who started the organization as a way to assist and advocate for current and future veterans, as well as their families.

“That’s the same think you’re doing here with this Legacy Run with the Veterans & Children Foundation: taking care of the families of those that we’ve lost,” Rehbein said. “All I can say to you is you’re carrying forward over a 100-year legacy. The pride that you feel in service. The purpose that you feel in taking care of those comrades and their families.”

The other was Past National Commander Mike Helm, a member of Jack Helt American Legion Post 313 in Lebanon, Neb., who pointed out the impact of the Riders to the national organization. “If it hadn’t been for you to come to �鶹��ƵAV with this program and make the program for �鶹��ƵAV, �鶹��ƵAV would look a lot different than it does today,” he said. “You are the ones that have made is a better organization and a better family.”

Other speakers throughout the night included Nebraska Department Commander Douglas Frahm, Department Adjutant Eric Martin and National Vice Commander Jerry Landkamer, a member of American Legion Post 16 in Norfolk, Neb.

“How proud I am today to be down here in front of all of you,” Landkamer said. “I take my hat off to each one of you for all the hard work you do throughout the year. All the projects you do for �鶹��ƵAV make this a great organization.”

Also among the speakers were Nebraska Army National Guard Chief of Staff Christopher Weskamp. “I’m really appreciative of all you do,” he said. “Thank you for your service to our country and your continued service to our veterans, their families and your communities.”

And the Department of Nebraska was able to facilitate an appearance by members of Lincoln’s Carpet Land Post 500 American Legion Baseball team, which last week won the American Legion Baseball World Series.

“I want to thank �鶹��ƵAV. They make American Legion Baseball possible,” said Post 500 Assistant Coach Rob Knaak, who played Legion Baseball in the 1980s. “We appreciate the opportunity. I’ve been around American Legion Baseball for a long, long time. Thanks to the Legion, and specifically to the Nebraska Legion.”