North Carolina
American Legion Riders
American Legion Riders
"Still Serving...And Riding"
History of the ALR
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.
.
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.
.
Members of the American
Legion Riders salute as a
wreath is presented at the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
during Rolling Thunder's "Ride
to the Wall 2009."
Legion Riders salute as a
wreath is presented at the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
during Rolling Thunder's "Ride
to the Wall 2009."
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The ALR Today
Today, the American Legion Riders have
grown to nearly 800 Legion Rider programs
in virtually every Department and in several
overseas areas. Over the last few years,
Riders in Iowa have formed an honor guard
called The Five Star Freedom Riders. Riders
in Mulvane, Kansas, reacting to a religious
cult that uses the deaths of military members
to further a misguided cause, formed the
original “Patriot Guard” to protect and show
our respect to the families at military
funerals. American Legion Riders in all
states have escorted returning military units
as they return home from combat tours
overseas, and have raised literally millions of
dollars for countless local, state, and
national charities.
And the Riders have only just started to roll.
Each American Legion Rider Chapter
manages its programs at the post level,
where all of the best ideas are born in the
best American Legion “grass-roots” tradition.
Here are only a few examples of the
programs and projects of The Riders:
Today, the American Legion Riders have
grown to nearly 800 Legion Rider programs
in virtually every Department and in several
overseas areas. Over the last few years,
Riders in Iowa have formed an honor guard
called The Five Star Freedom Riders. Riders
in Mulvane, Kansas, reacting to a religious
cult that uses the deaths of military members
to further a misguided cause, formed the
original “Patriot Guard” to protect and show
our respect to the families at military
funerals. American Legion Riders in all
states have escorted returning military units
as they return home from combat tours
overseas, and have raised literally millions of
dollars for countless local, state, and
national charities.
And the Riders have only just started to roll.
Each American Legion Rider Chapter
manages its programs at the post level,
where all of the best ideas are born in the
best American Legion “grass-roots” tradition.
Here are only a few examples of the
programs and projects of The Riders:
- Participation in the annual POW/MIA
Rally held each Memorial weekend in
Washington D.C. known as "Rolling
Thunder". - Participation in annual regional rides
such as “Operation Wounded Warrior,
sponsored by Riders in Nevada,
Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona,
California, and several other western
states. - Sponsoring or participating in local
charity events in support of The
American Legion or of the community. - Raising money for such organizations
as local VA Hospitals, Women and
Children's Centers, Children and
youth centers, schools, and many
others. - Sponsoring or participating in
motorcycle "Runs" to benefit
numerous charities, including
charities for underprivileged children
and medical research, just to name a
few. - Participation in local memorial
ceremonies and community parades. - Annual participation in The American
Legacy Run, a fundraising cross-
country run from The American
Legion’s national headquarters in
Indianapolis, Indiana, to the year’s
national convention city. - Riding to honor fallen military men
and women, and to protect the
sanctity of their funerals from those
who would dishonor their memory. - Riding escort for military units enroute
to departure airfields and airports to
combat tours overseas, and
welcoming them home upon their
return. - Motorcyclists are a very dedicated
group of people. When you combine
them with The American Legion
Family, you create a win/win situation.
Department of NC Legion
Riders Committee
members. See Contact us
page.
Riders Committee
members. See Contact us
page.