CONNELLSVILLE - Thirteen shiny motorcycles, flags flying, roar up Springfield Pike. This is not an ordinary motorcycle convocation, but a service mission -- "Freedom, Thanks to You." The American Legion Riders, from American Legion Post 301, Connellsville, delivered gifts to 15 veterans Saturday, veterans who are either home bound or living in personal care homes. Eicher's Personal Care Home, Normalville, was the first stop. "It was nice of them to come up to visit us," said Ralph Brachna, a Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict, who joined in June of 1950, was discharged in 1954, spent 38 days as a civilian; then re-upped for another four years. "I liked it. I wanted to make it a career, but I had to take care of my parents." Brachna and the other veterans, living at Lint's, Johnson's and South Connellsville personal care homes and home bound in Trotter, received a large bag containing a sweatshirt, jogging shorts, T-shirts, socks, underwear and a blanket. Some of the blankets were handmade by Barbara Piovesan, wife of George Piovesan of Connellsville, 24th District Commander and vice president of the American Legion Riders. The Legion held a benefit bowling turkey shoot and a dance to raise money for the gifts. The Riders, other Legionnaires, the Sons of the American Legion, the Legion Club of Connellsville and the American Legion Auxiliary contributed. Norma Francy of Connellsville, commander of the Fayette County American Legion Riders said, "I think we did real well. We've added more veterans this year. The Big K in Mount Pleasant was very helpful. It gave us a substantial discount." This is the seventh year the American Legion and the second year the American Legion Riders have visited veterans and delivered practical gifts. "Some of the veterans don't get any visitors besides us," said Don Burkholder, adjutant. "The American Legion's purpose is to visit and help out veterans, to see how they're doing." "We're veterans, we support veterans and families of veterans," said Ray Anthony of Connellsville, American Legion Riders Post 301 president. "If we don't support each other, nobody will," Anthony added. After giving the veterans their gifts at Eicher's, Anthony led the members in a salute. Then he told the veterans seated before them, "On the most patriotic weekend of the year, when we celebrate our freedom, we're here to tell you you are not forgotten. We're here to let you know we're with you." The Connellsville American Legion Riders began March 20, 2002, with four members. Seventy-eight people now belong. "The majority of us were veterans and also motorcycle riders," said Anthony. "There are over 150,000 motorcycles registered in the state of Pennsylvania, many of them registered to veterans. Motorcycles are a form of freedom - the open road, the wind in your hair - that's what veterans are about, too. Freedom." Connellsville is the state's charter chapter of the American Legion Riders. Pennsylvania now has 13 chapters and more than 350 members. The American Legion Riders are no strangers to service. Like Saturday's visits, they are committed to helping veterans and their families. Anthony said that, like the Legion itself, the Riders support the Scotland School for Veterans' Children and the Pittsburgh Homeless Corps of Pennsylvania, among other groups and projects. "We help out with anything that has to do with veterans and their families."

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