District 1
Formalized 8.21.04
|
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| ALRA of Wisconsin District 1 Officers | |
|---|---|
| Director | Bill Fitters |
| Assistant Director | Matt Socwell |
| Treasurer | Mary O'Connor-Ryan |
| Secretary | Jeff "Groucho" Marks |
| Chaplain | Dean "Mr. Blake" Blake |
| Sergeant-at-Arms | Joe Rice |
| Sergeant-at-Arms | Alex Chism |
| Historian | Debra Fredlund |
| Senior Road Captain | Tim Flury |
| Road Captain | James Artrip - Waukesha Cnty |
| Road Captain | Brian Behnke - Racine Cnty |
| Road Captain | Jeff Schoo - Walworth Cnty |
| Road Captain | Gerald Sieren - Rock Cnty |
| Road Captain | Richard Bichsel - Kenosha Cnty |
| Membership | Randy Timms |
Today I did a parade with Grandpa. Let me explain what this means. During my last visit to Dallas, when I was visiting Mom's house to identify keep sakes, I found a scrap book that Dad had kept of the family visits to the National American Legion Conventions during the 1930's and '40's. The last entry in the book was pictures taken during the 1941 National American Legion Convention in Milwaukee. There was a picture of Grandpa staging for his participation in the parade that is held at each convention. Gramps is the one on the right and he was to carry the American Legion flag. (I make this assumption based on the other person clearly has the American Flag and they didn't have a lot of different flags back then). There was another picture in the scrapbook of Grandpa actually marching in the parade but its in very bad shape and can't be scanned.
Beginning last Thursday 8-26-2010 the American Legion National Convention is once again being held in Milwaukee. The National Parade was held on 8-29-2010 and the American Legion Riders led the parade, with me in the 4th row carrying both the American and American Legion flags on my bike. I copied the picture of Grandpa and showed it to anyone who would listen, including the National Legion Commander. I've been looking forward to this for close to a year and it was a very emotional day...I know Gramps was there with me. Just thought I'd share.
Don "Alamo" Stone
Historian
American Legion Riders
District 1, Wisconsin
To all members who participated, especially District 1 - Thank you and Outstanding! A job well done.
For veteran members on July 4th at the Racine lake front, two of which recently returned from the sand box. We gave a patriotic poem and presented the honorees with Riders challenge coins.
Troops who took part in the Kenosha parade on the 5th of July
Troops who took part in the Somers 4th of July parade
2nd Annual District 1 Picnic held at the Bong Recreational Area
The District 1 Legion Riders were honored to be asked by the family to lead the funeral procession from the church services to the cemetery. We had 15 bikes with American, Army and POW/MIA flags.
Legion Riders from District 1 were honored to participate in a send-off party for Tim Kusik and his wife Laura at the Department of Radiology, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital on March 12, 2009. Tim, a radiology technologist at the Hospital, has been called up with his unit and will ship out to Afghanistan shortly. The Rider's presented Tim and Laura with American and Army flags as well as a Blue Star banner and various challenge coins. They wished him well and, as always, told him to keep his head down.
The District 1 Legion Riders were honored to attend the visitation (October 27, 2008) and ride in the procession to the funeral and cemetery (October 28, 2008) for Sgt. John Michael Penich, United States Army, killed in action on October 16, 2008.
Below are a few photos from the Delafield parade, where the moving (Vietnam Veteran's) wall was displayed.
For the second year in a row the Riders were asked to lead the Carthage College Homecoming Parade on October 11, 2008. A beautiful day, and a beautiful campus...took many of us back to earlier times in our lives.
Members from District 1 attended the Family Picnic at the Veterans' Home in Union Grove on September 27th. The District 1, Legion Riders were honored to join a large number of other veteran's organizations in helping to put on this annual event for our veterans. Note the picture of Alamo and his lunch partner. "Ruth" is, to her knowledge, the only female WW II veteran (Navy) at the residence and was an absolute delight to visit with. It was a beautiful day and a great event.
On September 20, 2008 the District 1 Legion Riders were honored to take part in the District 1 Silent March hosted by Twin Lakes Legion Post 544. For the occasion, our bikes were all privileged to fly the POW / MIA flag. Below are a couple photos of the District 1 riders who participated in this emotional ceremony.
As usual, the District 1 Riders participated in the annual charity "Toy Run for Love" in Burlington. After the last stop in Waterford we put on our flags and lead the participants back to Burlington. I would be remiss if I didn't point out the pictures of Phantom (an honored Air Force veteran) examining his placement of the Air Force flag...upside down on his bike. This unique configuration had to be pointed out to him before we could begin the final fun. My color picture doesn't do justice to the crimson hue of his face.
These are from District 1's participation in the Bristol Progress Days Parade on Sunday July 13. We lead the parade and took first place as best unit, and have been invited back to lead next year.
Delafield parade
The New Berlin parade...
was District 1 AND a BIG bunch of help from Districts 4/5. Wouldn’t by 4th of July in New Berlin without them… SUPER crowd in ew Berlin, easily far and away the biggest crowd ever, 4 and 5 deep the whole parade route and all stood and clapped for all veterans as they (we) came by. Great experience.
...well Ricoh, what was the answer?
Here are some photos from our District 1 Memorial Day parades at Delevan, Twin Lakes, Racine and our visit to the Union Grove VA Cemetery ceremony the Sunday before Memorial Day.
