Motorcyclists install Midview stadium seat in memory of prisoners of war

AVON LAKE, Ohio - Motorcycle riders from Avon Lake American Legion Post 211 have installed a seat at a football stadium in memory of those lost in action.

Mike Schrull, captain of the legion's riders, said it was an honor to have installed the seat at Midview High School in Grafton.

"This is part of a national project and with Midview complete, there is now only one high school in Lorain County without a seat," Schrull said.

"Next year, we will be adding Admiral King in Lorain, and then our county will be the first in America where every high school has this chair."

The riders - who number about 30 strong - took part in a ceremony at the school stadium Sept. 13.

"The seats are in memory of prisoners of war and those still missing in action," Schrull said.

"They are a constant reminder that there are people still out there, and we are trying to get these seats in all school stadiums.

"The schools give us their full support, and we try to have the ceremony when the school plays their main rival, so there are a lot of people there.

"We dedicate the chair, usually in an area where it can see the field, and the students and faculty get behind us."

He said the concept has been around a long time, but the Legion's riders got involved about five years ago.

"We got the idea to do it at school stadiums so the students and their parents will always remember what is going on," he said.