American Legion Riders,

We have been asked by the leadership of The American Legion to provide this information about The Missing in America Project  to all the American Legion Riders directors in the country, both to keep you all informed and to ask for your assistance.  We know that you are fully involved in fundraising and charitable work already, in large part due to your response to calls from us for the Legacy Scholarship, Heroes to Hometown, Operation Wounded Warrior, and of course all the local programs the Riders have started in virtually every state.  We thank you for that. 

But allow us to once again ask for your involvement in an important project.  Please take a moment and review the following news clips and articles, courtesy of KDSK Channel 5 in St. Louis, and the Portand Oregorian.

<http://www.ksdk.com/video/default.aspx?aid=67740&sid=138863&bw=hi&cat=70>
http://www.oregonlive.com/special/oregonian/hospital/index.ssf?/special/oregonian/hospital/content/11.html

There are literally tens of thousands of American veterans' cremated remains stored in countless state and municipal hospitals, mortuaries, and funeral homes across the country.  These "cremains" must be stored because there are no next of kin to take possession of them, and they cannot simply be thrown away.  This has been an open secret for decades, and it is time to do something about it.  We think that The American Legion Riders can and should take the lead.

It is time to render honor to those who have served our country and yet at death have been stored away in rusting tin cans on dusty shelves.  We can do this.  There is a growing national effort, led by American Legion Riders, Patriot Guard, and other patriotic organizations, to identify the locations of the stored cremains, and work with local authorities to give these honored dead a proper funeral.  There are remains on shelves in this country dating back to the 19th century.  In this time of war, we must not forget our MIA--and these heroes have been MIA for decades.

How can you help?  Spread the word.   Identify local Riders who are willing to act as MIAP coordinators.  Determine whether such remains exist within your community.   Learn the process for releasing these remains for burial. Contact the Missing in America Project at http://www.miap.us/ for assistance and legal advice, if necessary.  Mobilize your Riders and American Legion Honor Guards and burial details and make sure that your local government is taking firm action to finally--after as much as a century--allow us to provide a final rest for these forgotten men and women.

Bill Sloan  
"AWACS"
American Legion Legacy Run Coordinator

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES, VISIT www.miap.us

William H. Sloan
Assistant Director
Internal Affairs and Membership
The American Legion

Please note: I've collected your email address information for the sole purpose of sending American Legion Riders updates and messages regarding Rider's programs, including The American Legion Legacy Run.  I do not share these email address lists with anyone.  If you would like to be added or removed from my email list or have a change of your email address, simply email me at wsloan@legion.org with your request.  --Bill Sloan (member of Lebanon, IN ALR Chapter 113).

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