American Legion Riders

The American Legion Riders (ALR) are well known for their dedication to service and charitable work. Across the country, Riders have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local children’s hospitals, schools, veterans’ homes, and severely wounded servicemembers.

Since 2006, Riders from across the nation have also participated in The American Legion Legacy Run. The event originally raised money for scholarships for the children of U.S. military personnel who were killed in service since September 11, 2001. Today, the Legacy Run supports The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation, which provides training for American Legion service officers and grants assistance to at-risk minor children of Legionnaires and active-duty military personnel.

Our History

The American Legion Riders began in 1993 in Garden City, Michigan.

Chuck “Tramp” Dare and Bill “Polka” Kaledas, commander of American Legion Post 396, shared an idea: create a motorcycle enthusiasts’ organization within The American Legion.

Both men were longtime motorcycle riders and wanted to create a place where members of the Legion Family could come together around their shared love of motorcycles while continuing to support the mission and values of The American Legion.

Dare and Kaledas presented their idea in a letter to Michigan Department Adjutant Hubert Hess. Hess supported the concept and encouraged them to move forward. He later provided instructions on how the program could be organized at the post level, including the process for receiving approval to use The American Legion emblem and gaining the support and recognition of the membership.

At a regular meeting, members of Post 396 approved a resolution establishing a new program called the American Legion Riders.

Dare and Kaledas, along with 19 other founding members, soon began receiving requests from across the country for information about their new organization.

They recognized the importance of having a central source of information and guidance. Their goal was to ensure that Riders would be organized not as motorcycle clubs or gangs, but as members of the Legion Family coming together to ride, serve, and support their communities.

American Legion Riders Today

Today, more than 110,000 American Legion Riders participate in more than 2,000 chapters throughout every domestic department of The American Legion, as well as in several foreign countries.

Over the years, Riders have created and participated in countless programs dedicated to honoring veterans, supporting military families, helping communities, and raising funds for charitable causes.

Riders in Iowa formed an honor guard known as the Five Star Freedom Riders. Riders in Mulvane, Kansas, founded the Patriot Guard to help protect the dignity and sanctity of military funerals from protesters.

Across the country, American Legion Riders have:

• Escorted military units returning home from overseas deployments.
• Conducted cross-country fundraising events benefiting wounded warriors from all branches of the military.
• Raised millions of dollars for local, state, and national charities.
• Supported VA hospitals and veterans’ programs.
• Helped raise funds for children, youth, schools, and community organizations.
• Participated in statewide and regional Legacy Runs.
• Supported Operation Comfort Warriors (OCW) and other programs benefiting wounded and recovering servicemembers.

True to The American Legion’s grassroots tradition, each chapter develops and manages programs at the post level. This allows local Riders to identify the needs of their communities and create programs that make a difference.

What American Legion Riders Do

American Legion Riders chapters participate in a wide variety of activities and community service projects, including:

• Regional and statewide rides such as Operation Wounded Warrior, supported by Riders throughout Nevada, Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, California, and other Western states.
• Local charitable events benefiting The American Legion and communities across the country.
• Fundraising for VA hospitals, women and children’s centers, schools, youth programs, and other community facilities.
• Motorcycle rides and charity runs benefiting a wide range of organizations and causes.
• Memorial ceremonies and community parades honoring veterans and fallen servicemembers.
• The American Legion Legacy Run, an annual cross-country fundraising ride from The American Legion National Headquarters in Indianapolis to the location of the national convention.
• Memorial and escort rides honoring fallen servicemembers and helping protect the dignity of their funerals.
• Military escorts, including accompanying military units to departure airports for overseas deployments and welcoming them home when they return.

American Legion Riders as a National Program

Resolution 5 was approved by the National Executive Committee of The American Legion on May 5–6, 2021.

The American Legion Riders program is supported at the post or department level and operates under the principles, regulations, and decisions of The American Legion and its duly constituted governing bodies.

The following guidelines apply to the American Legion Riders program:

1. Membership
   All American Legion Riders members must be current members of The American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary, or the Sons of The American Legion.
2. Motorcycle Ownership
   Each ALR member should establish and maintain membership by owning, individually or through marriage, a motorcycle that is properly licensed and insured as required by state law.
3. Continued Membership
   ALR programs may allow members to continue their membership if they give up motorcycle ownership because of age, illness, injury, or other circumstances beyond their control.
4. Representing The American Legion
   All ALR members are expected to maintain the positive image of The American Legion and uphold the name and emblem of the organization, which represent its integrity and principles.
5. Not a Motorcycle Club
   American Legion Riders groups should avoid creating the perception that they are a traditional motorcycle club (MC) or biker club.
6. Official ALR Logo
   The recognized American Legion Riders logo is the copyrighted logo sold through The American Legion National Emblem Sales.
7. Following Motorcycle Laws
   All members must obey the motorcycle laws and regulations of their state.
8. Use of Rockers
   Rockers should not be used in a manner that touches the ALR patch or emblem, as this can violate trademark protections. Rockers that touch the outer edge of the patch are acceptable.
9. Insurance and Liability
   The sponsoring post or department should review its liability insurance coverage to ensure adequate protection is available for the organization and for any special riding events.

Supporting The American Legion

American Legion Rider groups operate under the Constitution and By-Laws of The American Legion at each applicable level, as well as established post and department directives, standing rules, and other governing requirements.

The American Legion National Headquarters, along with the appropriate department and post, provides general oversight of the American Legion Riders program. This oversight helps ensure the proper use of the names and emblems of The American Legion, The American Legion Riders, and The American Legion Legacy Run, as well as compliance with the National Constitution and By-Laws of The American Legion.

Service, Brotherhood, and Community

At its heart, the American Legion Riders program brings together members of the Legion Family who share a love of motorcycles and a commitment to serving others.

Whether participating in a memorial ride, welcoming home a servicemember, raising money for a veteran in need, supporting a local charity, or simply gathering with fellow Riders, ALR members continue the tradition of service, patriotism, and community that has defined The American Legion for generations.