May 2008

The American Legion Riders (ALR) Post 111 of Dallas, Georgia gathered together with friends and family in the early morning on Sunday May 18th, 2008 at Post 111 to take part in a return visit traveling 300+ miles round trip to the Georgia War Veterans Home (GWVH) in Milledgeville, Georgia.

The event is termed a return visit because the initial visit took place during this last holiday season. Post 111 Commander, Wayne Callahan, his wife and Post 111 Auxiliary madam Commander Wanda Callahan escorted numerous members of Post 111 ALR to visit with many of this states war veterans who reside there.

Along with Christmas gifts, many donated articles of clothing and also personal vanity supplies were given away to the homes many residents. However, of all the items that the members of post 111 handed out that day the most valuable of gifts to these residents was the time that was spent shaking hands, sharing hugs and just visiting with the Post 111 family members.

When the legion family of Post 111 group left Milledgeville then and returned to Dallas they arrived home that evening very tired, but proud with full hearts and stories to share. The spark of motivation was there to make a return trip as soon as possible with items that they had seen the need for firsthand during that days visit.

With word of that past visit and desire for a future visit spreading to monthly meetings at Post 111, motions for donations and gifts for the next trip to GWVH were voted on and carried. Members approached private donors and contacts at local businesses and many gracious people gave liberally.

The point of contact at the GWVH, Ms. Jenny Roach was professional and greeted this group of ten motorcycles, one trike and two support vehicles warmly. She made clear the gratitude she and the staff of GWVH along with the residents feel for the riders taking from their weekend to come and visit.

With kindness and greetings traded a quick agreement on a "game plan" was formed and everyone began unpacking the support vehicles of over 1500 donated t-shirts and articles of clothing. They unpacked eight televisions complete with DVD players and also many donated DVD movies. The group then was escorted to the facility library where they were introduced to 8 of the 9 indigent residents of the GWVH.

To these particular residents Ryan Carroll, SAL and ALR member of Post 111 represented the collected group and post 111 in presenting a donation check of $600.00 to the GWVH indigent fund. He presented directly to each of these special residents a WalMart gift card for their own personal use having a combined total of $400.00 .

Lastly Ryan presented the television/DVD players and videos to these residents who have minimal personal belongings and until now did not have even a television in their rooms like the other residents of this home.

The TV/DVD combos and videos will be serialized by the staff and assigned to each indigent patient and when the patient departs these appliances will remain for the next patient who arrives with the same type of special need.

After visiting a short while and departing the library, now full with very grateful and smiling faces, the Post 111 contingency moved motorcycles and remaining supplies to the front of the home at the main entrance and portico.

Many GWVH residents had already gathered in anticipation for the groups arrival and was absolutely joyous hearing the loud pipes and seeing the shiny chrome and leather-clad members of the ALR as they arrived.

With bikes cooling and support vehicles unpacked of their remaining packages the visiting legion members filtered into the gathered crowd and splitting up made their way through the facility's four adjoined buildings. Along their way stopping to shake hands, hugs or perhaps only trading smiles with residents.

After handing out over 1500 t-shirts and other articles of clothing these Legion visitors would sit and visited with many of the homes residents in small groups or one on one for the remaining couple hours. Some remembered certain visiting Legion visitors from the holiday visit. Others made themselves new friends that is certain to last for many future visits to the GWVH.

When it was time to leave the riders, many with flag decorated motorcycles started their engines and gave the residents of the hospital a treat of revving engines and a crisp and clean motorcycle roll out. Waves and smiles were shared as the caravan departed and began the trip home.

All of the individuals participating in this ride made it home safely. They were a little tired, some a little sunburned but all of them filled with heart-warming memories and pride for simply doing the "right thing." The exact date for the third visit is currently in work!

Members of the Post 111 family wish to encourage all Americans and American Legion posts to search and find your local war veterans where ever they may reside, then to go and visit those veterans, trade stories, talk family, politics or whatever and remind them there are still Americans thankful for their service and who still care for them.

For God and Country,

Richard Mellick