Legion Riders meet the challenge ... again

Legionnaire Ken “Rhino” Rynes has taken the phrase “If you want something done right, do it yourself” and slightly altered. Rynes, immediate past Department of Wisconsin commander and a Legion Rider, said that if you want something done, you give it to the Riders.

Wisconsin’s Legion Riders have backed up that claim. They recently donated nearly $60,000 during the annual Legacy Run, and on Sept. 19 during their annual Fall Ride they presented Camp American Legion in Lake Tomahawk, Wis., with more than $23,000 – a record for the Ride. More than $1,000 was raised by the Riders during a post-lunch raffle at the camp, bringing the donation total to nearly $25,000.

In the past three years, more than $50,000 has been raised for the camp, which provides rest, relaxation and therapy for veterans, servicemembers and their families who have physical or psychological medical conditions, any and all types of service and non-service related illnesses, injuries or disabilities.

“With Riders, if you give them a challenge … if you give them a mission, by God they’re going to attack it and succeed,” said Rynes, who started the charity ride in 2010. “They’re goal-oriented. If you give them a mission, they’ll do it.”

Rynes said Camp American Legion serves as a “rallying point” for Wisconsin Legion Riders. “Once you see it, you become a disciple of the camp,” he said. “You come here in person, you’re sold. You just have to see it – the peace and serenity – and you can just envision how that helps a veteran in need of real relaxation. It works. And it works with the Riders.”

Dozens of Legion Riders from all over the state took part in the annual ride. One of those who made the journey to Camp American Legion was Vietnam War Marine Corps veteran Jim Oler, finance officer at Otis Sampson Post 59 in Stoughton, Wis. The 66-year-old Oler, who rode over 700 miles during the Fall Ride before ending up a Camp American Legion, said he was exposed to poisonous gas 15 years ago that has led to bone and muscle issues.

“(Camp American Legion) is obviously for the veterans,” said Oler, who has rode motorcycles for 50 years. “It’s just an honor to be able to give to those people. If it weren’t for our veterans we wouldn’t have the freedom we have today. This just means a lot to me.”

Camp American Legion Director Kevin Moshea briefed the Riders on the various groups the camp has hosted this season, including military personnel transitioning back home after a deployment, veterans with diabetes, women veterans, homeless veterans and veterans learning peer-to-peer PTSD counseling. More than 1,200 veterans, military personnel and their family went through the camp from Memorial Day to late September. The camp also recently reacquired 225 acres that had been a part of its property five decades ago to expand its efforts.

“Camp is now a help-to-heal place … for the whole military family: veterans, servicemembers, National Guard, reserve members, their spouses, their children (and) their caregivers,” Moshea said. “We are here to serve them all.

“We’re not done. We’re never done. The vision is not complete. The camp you are supporting is becoming an incredibly dynamic place. There’s no place we won’t go to give that helping hand.”

Before the Riders headed out again, Moshea read them a letter he’d received from the wife of a former visitor to Camp American Legion as an example of an impact the camp – and their donation – can make on an individual.

“For the first time in nine years my husband felt safe and comfortable enough to sit with his back towards the entrance,” Moshea read. “This may not seem like much, but for me it spoke to the enormous power of this camp. You are such a blessing, and I hope you understand the effect on all that pass through.”