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AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS
The American Legion Riders are a diverse group of motorcycle enthusiasts sharing common goals. All are members or spouses of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of The American Legion—and all are united by patriotism. They answer the call to ride in service to America’s military, her veterans, and for the children and youth of our country.
The activities of The Legion Riders are limited only by the imagination of the members of the local Riders organizations, and many chapters have independently raised thousands of dollars for local children’s hospitals, schools, veterans’ homes, severely wounded servicemen and women, and American Legion scholarship programs. Since 2006, Riders have united nationally for The American Legion Legacy Run to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund, established for the children of those who given their lives on active duty defending our freedoms around the world.
History of The American Legion Riders
In the fall of 1993 in Garden City, Michigan, Chuck (Tramp) Dare and the commander of Michigan’s American Legion Post 396, (Polka) Bill Kaledas shared an idea to start an association of motorcycle enthusiasts within The American Legion. The two Legionnaires--both long-time riders--wanted to provide an environment where post, Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion members who shared a common love for motorcycles could come together. Dare and Kaledas prepared a letter to Michigan Department Adjutant Hubert Hess. In his November 19th, 1993 reply, Hess agreed with the concept and stated that it "sounds like a great idea—let’s work it out." In further correspondence and follow-up phone conversations, Hess gave the two riders instructions on how to manage such a program at the post level. He also provided information on how to get approval for the use of the American Legion Emblem and to get this program recognized and supported by the membership. The members of Post 396, at a regular Legion meeting, considered a resolution for a new post program to be known as the "American Legion Riders". The resolution passed, establishing the birth of the new program.
Dare and Kaledas, joined by 19 other founding members of the Garden City Post 396, soon found themselves inundated with requests for information about the new organization, and agreed to establish a central source of information about the Riders, to make certain that the new “chapters” around the country formed not as motorcycle clubs or gangs, but as Legionnaires, Auxiliary, and SAL members joining to ride as members of The American Legion family. Pat Babcock, an SAL member from Michigan, soon established a website with sample by-laws and instructions for forming new Chapters. That website, americanlegionriders.net, continues to be the primary source of information and assistance for new Chapters worldwide.
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