Riders chapter works to Be the One through suicide prevention ride

Over the past few years, veteran suicide has made an impact on American Legion Riders Chapter 363 in Monroe, Iowa, and on its communications specialist, Nicholaas VanderLeest.

“As a post, we have had three members over the past two years commit suicide,” said VanderLeest, who also serves as Sons of The American Legion Squadron 363 commander. “I grew up in an area that had not much military but had enough military that I knew a few people. And about three years ago, I actually lost a really good friend that I’d known about 15 years to suicide. So, it kind of hit close home to us.”

That’s what prompted Chapter 363 to this year stage its Veteran Suicide Prevention Poker Run/Benefit this spring, which drew 48 motorcycles and raised $4,000 for the VA Central Iowa Health Care System (VACIHCS). On Aug. 3, a group of the Chapter’s Riders rode to the hospital in Des Moines and presented the check to a surprised staff.

“They didn’t know the amount that we were coming with,” VanderLeest said. “They did not know the number until we actually got there. They were very, very appreciative of the amount.”

VanderLeest said the chapter was quick to commit to the ride. “We decided that this is something people need to be aware of,” he said. “The VA, the government and the Legion are doing a great job (raising awareness). But the question we came up with was is it enough? Is there something that we can do as a post or as a Riders group to help do this? We decided a poker run was something we could do, even if it was only a few hundred dollars.”  

VanderLeest said when the decision came to conduct the poker run, the chapter invited VACIHCS Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator Lori Reynolds, a psychotherapist and licensed independent social worker, to come to the post and talk about veteran suicide.

“She gave us some numbers and gave us some localized numbers,” VanderLeest said. “She brought us some information to hand out. She gave us some pins, and she gave us some patches we’re going to put on our vests.”

Vanderleest said as the poker run started, he was nervous about the amount that could be raised. “But as the day went on, and we did our silent auction and what not, when the numbers started coming in, I was starting to get a little excited,” he said. “The numbers coming in were making me a little proud as to the amount we were getting for some of our items.

“And later on in the evening, when I was trying to get some of the financial stuff figured out, I was kind of shocked.”

VanderLeest said his chapter’s effort was its way of sharing the Legion’s Be the One veteran suicide prevention message. And being able to deliver such a donation brought “tears to our eyes. Every time we do something for our veterans, we are so committed to helping them. We want to give everything we can.

“Each and everyone has their personal issues, whether military-related or not. And we, as a country, need to come together and be there for one another.”