Riders in Iowa have formed an honor guard called The Five Star Freedom Riders, and Riders in Mulvane, Kan., founded the Patriot Guard to protect the sanctity of military funerals from protesters. They agreed to establish a central source for the Riders to ensure that chapters formed not as motorcycle clubs or gangs, but as Legionnaires and Auxiliary and SAL members joining to ride as Legion family.Ĭurrently, 106,000 American Legion Riders meet in over a thousand chapters in every domestic department and in at least three foreign countries. Joined by 19 other founding members from their post, Dare and Kaledas were flooded with requests for information about their organization.
At a regular meeting, Post 396 members passed a resolution for a new program to be known as the "American Legion Riders." He also explained how they could be approved to use the American Legion emblem, and how to gain Membership's support and recognition. Later, he gave Kaledas and Dare instructions for managing the program at the post level. Hess replied that he liked the concept and wanted to pursue it.
The two longtime riders wanted an environment where Legion family members could come together to share a common love for motorcycles.ĭare and Kaledas wrote a letter to Michigan Department Adjutant Hubert Hess, sharing their idea. The idea of the American Legion Riders got its start in Garden City, Mich., in 1993, when Chuck "Tramp" Dare and Bill "Polka" Kaledas, commander of American Legion Post 396, shared an idea to start a motorcycle enthusiasts association within the organization.
If you are interested in joining our Chapter, click here to print application, complete and mail to:Ĭlick here for the NYSALR Form for chapter officer's Information.
We envision the focus of this chapter to be on riding, fun and camaraderie! Membership is open to any member in good standing of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, or the Sons of the American Legion who owns either individually or through marriage, a motorcycle licensed and insured as required under local laws. We are pleased to announce the formation of a Legion Riders Chapter at West Seneca American Legion Post 735. American Legion Post 735 / West Seneca Chapter