From Hell to Paradise: American Legion Riders support PTSD survivors

SAULT STE. MARIE — Hundreds of motorcycles will join together on July 26 as they make their way across Michigan to bring awareness to post-traumatic stress disorder.

The American Legion Riders post in Sault Ste. Marie is hosting the first annual ride from Hell in the Lower Peninsula to Paradise in the Upper Peninsula.

American Legion Riders is a motorcycle-themed veterans groups that spans across the country. They host dozens of events and rides throughout the year. This summer, they're beginning a new tradition with the Hell to Paradise ride.

The idea for the ride began when Navy veteran Scott Igo wanted to do something to show support for veterans who are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after returning home. Igo knew that some people would ride the five hours between Hell and Paradise on a regular basis, and after realizing the significance of the names believed it would make a good metaphor for soldiers recovering from PTSD.

"Suffering from PTSD myself, the common thing that we can all agree on is that we're living in hell," said Igo. "When you're fighting it, you're in your own personal hell and all we want is to find that one happy place in our life, our own paradise."

American Legion Riders have been organizing the event for about a year, and in that time people from across the state have offered to show their support. More than 300 people have registered to be a part of the ride, including trucks and other vehicles as well.

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The ride begins on July 26 in Hell. It will stop in Gaylord for the night before continuing on to Paradise. The trip ends with a ceremony in Sault Ste. Marie on July 27. A second group will be joining the ride beginning in Iron Mountain and meeting in Newberry before they make their way to Paradise.

After the ride, the group will meet at the American Legion post in Sault Ste. Marie where riders will be presented with awards.

All proceeds from the event will go towards organizations such as Mission Six Service Dogs, which provides trained canine companions to veterans, and Zero Duck Thirty, which give veterans with PTSD a chance to spend a day duck hunting and learning to open up about their experiences.

Registration for the event costs $35 per rider and $20 per passenger and can be found on the ALR website.

— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com