From Dan O’Brien
Third District Commander, Darlington
To the Editor:
On Friday June 27th and Saturday June 28th the American Legion Riders will be coming to southwest Wisconsin. The name of their ride this year is “Cruise for a Cause”. This ride is to raise awareness, provide training/equipment and send veterans to Camp American Legion. The American Legion has been working very hard to make everyone aware of the suicide rates of our American soldiers. A couple of years ago it was up as high as 22 veterans a day committing suicide. Recently it showed the suicide rate has dropped to 18 veterans a day. Still far too many veterans in this situation. This ride is raising funds to help with programs to help these veterans. Camp American Legion in Northern Wisconsin is a place where veterans and their family can go for up to a week at no cost to them to relax and take their minds of the problems they may have. Camp American Legion is operated under the umbrella of The Wisconsin American Legion and runs on funds raised through our raffles, donations and rides like the Legion Riders are doing this weekend. The Riders will be at the following Legion Posts at the times listed here. We encourage all veterans and community members or anyone who would like to give moral or financial support to these dedicated American Legion Members as they come to a local American Legion Post. Bring your family to see these riders roll into your town. It will be a great site and the riders will appreciate your support by just being at these locations; Waunakee Post 360-They will be leaving the Post at 8am, They will arrive at New Glarus Post 141 at 2:34 and leave at 3:26, they will then arrive at Darlington Post 214 at 4:30 where this will be the last stop of the day for them. On Saturday they will leave from Platteville Post 42 at 110 E. Mineral St at 8am, they will then travel to Fennimore Post 184 and arrive at 9am and leave at 10:04am. There last stop in our area will be at the Gays Mills Post 308 arriving at 10:58am and leaving at 12:09am. Overall, these American Legion Riders are making 20 stops throughout the state to raise awareness for veterans’ suicide and Camp American Legion. Come as see some great-looking motorcycles and give them your support by just being at one of these locations. A thank you to them will be a big boost as they are spending all weekend riding for their fellow veterans.
