Sharon Parshall

Sharon Parshall’s commitment to the American Legion Riders Post 259 is rooted in family, service, and a lifelong love of being on the move. A proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Sharon comes from a family with a strong tradition of military service. Her father, Donald G. Hanson, served in both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army, while her sister served in the U.S. Air Force. Her uncles served in the Air Force, Navy, and Army, and that tradition continues today with a niece serving in the U.S. Navy. Sharon’s involvement with the Legion honors that legacy and the generations of her family who have answered the call to serve.

Sharon also serves on the Board of the Oneonta Vets Club, continuing her involvement in supporting the local veteran community. She says she inherited her father’s “bug” for movement. He was always driving trucks and motorcycles, and it is a tradition she is proud to carry forward today.

Riding a Suzuki trike, Sharon joined the Riders in 2019, drawn to the camaraderie and the group’s shared sense of purpose. What she enjoys most is the opportunity to support others, whether fellow veterans, community members, or charitable organizations. After working at Corning and spending three years driving tractor-trailers, Sharon still loves being on the road, traveling, and seeing where the journey takes her.

Her reason for encouraging others to become involved with the Legion and the Riders is simple and heartfelt: “To honor all the people that came before us, and fought for our country… to honor those that protected us, and do some good for the community.”

Sharon believes in following the beat of her own drum and supporting the causes that speak most strongly to her heart, including the Vets Museum. While she appreciates all the good the Legion does, she chooses to focus her personal efforts on the causes that mean the most to her.

When she is not on the road with the Riders, Sharon is often thinking about her next great American road trip, with Utah high on her list. She appreciates having a place to call home, but she also loves exploring new places, a spirit of adventure that fits naturally with her role in American Legion Riders Post 259.