About the Legion Riders

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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.

For the latest in American Legion Riders apparel and gear, including the American Legion Riders Patch, go to Legion Rider Merchandise - Emblem Sales

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 (Link Below), continues to be the primary source of information and assistance for new Chapters worldwide.

The American Legion Riders 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:

1. Participation in the annual POW/MIA Rally held each Memorial weekend in Washington D.C. known as "Rolling Thunder".
2. 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.
3. Sponsoring or participating in local charity events in support of The American Legion or of the community.
4. Raising money for such organizations as local VA Hospitals, Women and Children's Centers, Children and youth centers, schools, and many others.
5. Sponsoring or participating in motorcycle "Runs" to benefit numerous charities, including charities for underprivileged children and medical research, just to name a few.
6. Participation in local memorial ceremonies and community parades.
7. 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.
8. Riding to honor fallen military men and women, and to protect the sanctity of their funerals from those who would dishonor their memory.
9. 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.

How can I become an American Legion Rider?

Visit the “chapter locator” at americanlegionriders.net (link below) and find a chapter near your home (or get information about how to start a new chapter at your own American Legion post).

In all cases, the prospective Rider must first be a current member, in good standing, in one of the three organizations of The American Legion Family: The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary, or The Sons of The American Legion.

The American Legion Riders have also adopted the following basic eligibility rules for membership:

1. All members of the American Legion Riders must hold individual membership in The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary, or the Sons of The American Legion.
2. Members must be the legally registered owner of a mortorcycle or be the spouse of the legally registered owner within the state of registration.
3. All operators must be properly licensed and insured per state laws
4. All members will obey the motor vehicle laws in any state in which they are operating a motorcycle or riding as a passinger.

American Legion Membership Eligibility:

To join the American Legion, you must have served honorably on active federal service in the Army, Navy, Marine Corp, Air Force, or Coast Guard during any of these periods of conflict:

• April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918 (World War I)
• December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946 (World War II—includes certain Merchant Marine service)
• June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955 (Korean War)
• February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975 (Vietnam War)
• August 24, 1982 to July 31, 1984 (Lebanon/Grenada)
• December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990 (Operation Just Cause - Panama)
• August 2, 1990 to today (Operation Desert Shield/Storm/War on Terrorism)

A copy of your DD214 or other discharge paperwork showing dates and character of service is required at application.

(This information is available online )

Sons of The American Legion Membership Eligibility:

To join the SAL you must be a male descendant (includes stepsons and adopted sons but does not include in-laws) of:

1. A member of The American Legion
2. or a Veteran who died in service during any of the qualifying periods of conflict listed above
3. or of a Veteran who served during one of the qualifying periods of conflict, was honorably discharged, and died subsequent to their service

A copy of The American Legion membership card or proof of veteran status of the Veteran through whom you are qualified is required at application. This information is available online at www.sal.legion.org/member.htm#memb

The American Legion Auxiliary Membership Eligibility:

To join the Auxiliary you must be a woman who:

1. Is eligible for membership in The American Legion
2. or is the mother, wife, daughter, sister, granddaughter, great-grand-daughter, or grandmother of members of The American Legion
3. or is the mother, wife, daughter, sister, granddaughter, great-grand-daughter, or grandmother of deceased veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces during the listed war periods
4. or is a step relative to a qualified or deceased veteran.

Note that, as with the SAL, in-law relatives to the qualified Veteran are not eligible for membership.

A copy of The American Legion membership card or DD214 of the Veteran through whom you are qualified is required at application. This information is available online at www.legion-aux.org/membership/docs/become.html