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September 2, 2010
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Law enforcement officials thanked by riders
Published August 7, 2009
LOGANVILLE — Last week several law enforcement agencies were treated to a dinner by the American Legion Riders in appreciation for helping make this year’s the 2009 Memorial Day “Ride for America” such a smooth ride. The dinner was held at the Loganville American Legion Post 233.
As was this year’s ride, the dinner was an emotional occasion since it was the first one since the death of Gary Lemonds, a founder of the American Legion Riders and Ride for America. A Walton County native, Lemonds, who was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations in the Republic of Vietnam on April 9 and 10, 1969, was buried in his hometown of Social Circle Jan. 11.
“We couldn’t have done it without the support of law enforcement,” said co-founder Stan Mauldin, who headed up the ride in Lemonds’ absence, adding future rides will be headed up by Al Burns, director of the American Legion Riders. “We will carry on the tradition for Gary — he was a great, patriotic American. He would want us to go on and go on we will.”
Certificates of appreciation were handed out to members of all the law enforcement agencies that helped control the traffic during this years ride from Monroe to Madison and back, including the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia State Patrol and the Social Circle and Monroe police departments. In addition, money raised by the ride in the form of $1,000 checks were each presented to the commanders of the Monroe and Loganville Legion Posts as well as to decorated Vietnam War veteran Tommy Clack for the Georgia Committee for POW/MIAs.
Mauldin closed out the event by reminding everyone of the upcoming American Legion Legacy Run, a motorcycle tour to raise money for the children of fallen soldiers. This year’s ride of 1,200 miles will take place Aug. 18-23 from Indianapolis, Ind. to Louisville, Ky. with the hopes of raising more than $400,000 to help in the education of children of fallen soldiers. Lemonds was also an active participant, both as an organizer and a rider, in the American Legion Legacy Ride, which is now in its fourth year.
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