Dateline: Gaithersburg 16 Sep 2012

The Inaugural POW/MIA Missing Man Run to Honor and Remember Col Robert A Govan and Col David R Williams raised over $4500 to support Operation Provide Comfort a wounded warrior support program . The riders were honored to have family members of Col Govan join us at Battley Harley-Davidson for the start of the ride. The mission of the ride is to bring awareness to those still missing in action, each year we will bring another serviceman’s story to the public’s attention. Col’s Govan and Williams were shot down on 1 April 1967 over Laos. In 2002, the laboratory in Hawaii identified them. When both families protested the findings, a review board considered the evidence. The identification was subsequently rescinded in 2003. This was the 1^st time that a rescinded identification resulted in names being returned to the MIA list.

Over 30 riders join ALR Chapter 295 in a pledge supported 200 mile ride from Gaithersburg to DELMARVA Bike week in Salisbury Maryland. With law enforcement support along for the entire ride and beautiful weather, no could have asked for a better day! Only one rider did not complete the ride, due to a mechanical failure.

The participants pledged $4500 and turned in $4540! Your tax deductible donations are still welcome. Proceeds from the Inaugural ride will help American Legion, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Post 295 provide holiday meals for our wounded warriors, their families and staff at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, but will also assist us in reach families of servicemen and woman, who may be dealing of PTSD.

With a membership of over 400, American Legion Post 295 has been serving the greater Germantown-Gaithersburg area since 1987. American Legion Post 295 is just one of over 14,000 such Posts with a national membership of 2.4 million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs.

For more information, please contact Post Commander Bob Ouellette, 240-505-4660, commander@amlegionpost295.org or  Rider Director Cliff Bergstresser,

• Holiday luncheons: On average Post 295’s lunches have served more than 140 wounded warriors, their families and hospital staff at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, MD each time.

• PTSD/Family Support Group: The support group is a local outreach program for the families of servicemen, veterans and friends who may be dealing with PTSD in the family. The program provides information on available treatments and tips on the “Do’s & Don’ts” when a loved one returns from a deployment. This program is open to those who have an interest in assisting these warriors.

• Quilts of Valor: Provide support to the local chapter of the Quilts of Valor in providing quilts to deserving veterans.

• Fisher House: Provide support to the WRNMMC Fisher Houses ensuring they continue to provides free or low cost housing for families whose loved ones which are receiving treatment.