Written by Super User

Published: 05 July 2018

The American Legion Riders Work to Support the Greater Good

In 1993, two members of the American Legion Post 396 in Garden City, Michigan, had the idea to start an internal association for motorcycle enthusiasts to share their passion for riding. Their efforts eventually coalesced into a Legion-wide organization, with over 110,000 riders across 2,000 chapters. Today, members of the organization participate in a variety of events and efforts, hosting fundraising rides, escorting military units as they return home, all in addition to fundraising for assorted charities in their own states, counties, and hometown communities.

These efforts involve things like:

• • Escorting military members to and from the airport as they depart and return from overseas tours
  • Protecting funerals from disruption and riding in honor of the fallen
  • Raising funds for various causes and charities, many of which benefitting service members and their families, as well as community needs
  • Taking part in community events and parades

Being a Rider is Being Part of a Community

Just as the military serves our country abroad, the Riders work to serve on the home front, promoting important causes and rehabilitating the public perception of motorcyclists at large through service and citizenship. There is also a lot to be said about the camaraderie that the Riders themselves have amongst themselves, allowing members to be part of something bigger than themselves.

Join the Legion Riders

 The Riders are a community that is relatively easy to join. In order to be eligible, all that is required is that someone:

• • You must be a current member in good standing of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion
  • You must be either the legally registered owner of a motorcycle, or you are the spouse of an ALR 259 member in good standing.
  • You must be properly licensed and insured per state laws.
  • You must obey motor-vehicle laws in the state in which you are operating a motorcycle or riding as a passenger.

The American Legion Riders participate in parades and other ceremonies that are in keeping with the Aims and Purposes of the American Legion. To promote motorcycle safety programs and social atmosphere for American Legion members who share the same interest. To use our Association to promote and support programs of the American Legion. 

You do not have to be a veteran to join the riders!

The American Legion Family consists of The American Legion, Sons of the American Legion (SAL), American legion Auxiliary and American Legion Riders Members of the Riders must be members of the Legion, Auxiliary or Sons. 

The American Legion is active every day. Its members work together to support their local communities, focusing on services classified under the organization’s four pillars: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation; National Security; Americanism; and Children & Youth.

Read more about Why You Should Belong to the American Legion

Get started!

Download the application to join the American Legion and then complete the Legion Riders Application. Complete form and send a copy of it and a checks payable to:
American Legion Riders Post 259, 279 Chestnut Street, Oneonta, NY 13820. 

Once your information is approved you will be notified. 

Written by Super User

Published: 05 July 2018

So why should you consider joining American Legion Post 259?

Support for our Veterans: We are dedicated to helping our area veterans and their families in their time of need. By being there when needed and providing help with various programs and initiatives through the National American Legion we are proud to be a resource for those who have served.

Advocacy: The National American Legion works to ensure that the rights and benefits of veterans are protected, and that their needs are met. As a member, you can help to advocate for important issues affecting veterans and their families.

Community: Through our local and the national events, you can connect with others who have served and build meaningful relationships.

Leadership Opportunities: If you are interested in organizing events, serving on committees, or taking on a larger role to help our Veterans, the American Legion provides a platform for growth and development.

Legacy: By joining the American Legion, you become part of an organization that has been serving veterans and their families for nearly 100 years. By supporting this legacy, you are helping to ensure that future generations of veterans receive the support and resources they need.

Veterans helping veterans, families, and communities

The American Legion is active every day. Its members work together to support their local communities, focusing on services classified under the organization’s four pillars:

Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation
National Security
Americanism
Children & Youth.

Since 1919, the American Legion has Enabled Veterans and their families to Continue their Patriotism Amongst Their Communities
In the years since its incorporation by Congress as a patriotic veterans organization, the American Legion has grown to be the largest veterans organization of its kind. With various programs meant to benefit the community and promote the grassroots activities of the communities that Legionnaires live in. These efforts take shape in numerous ways, such as:

• • Advocating for honor and patriotism
  • Mentoring youngsters in the community
  • Sponsoring community youth programs
  • Supporting active service members and veterans

As a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization, the American Legion has played a major part in many local programs and political efforts, all meant to as a means of advocating for veterans and their continued and sustained quality of life. Our mission is to enhance the well-being of America's veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.

There are also several benefits to joining!

Discounts: From car rental to insurance American Legion members and their family are able to take advantage of practical, money-saving discounts.

Magazine: The American Legion magazine is a monthly magazine featuring in-depth analysis, historical stories, Q&As with high-profile officials, news about veterans issues and more.

VA Benefit Assistance: Your membership helps support department service officers nationwide who assist veterans in preparing claims and obtaining their full military health-care benefits through VA.

Are You Eligible to Be an American Legion Member?

If you have served at least one day of active military duty since December 7, 1941 and were honorably discharged or you are still serving active military duty honorably, you are eligible for membership with The American Legion. We welcome those who wish to join our ranks.

You do not have to be a Veteran to Join the American Legion!

The American Legion Family consists of The American Legion, Sons of the American Legion (SAL) and the American legion Auxiliary.

To be eligible for membership in the Sons of the American Legion, you must be a male descendant (son, grandson, stepson, or adopted son) of: a member of The American Legion.

To be eligible for membership in the American Legion Auxiliary, you must be a female descendant (grandmothers, mothers, sisters) or a spouse of a member of The American Legion.

Help us support veterans, advocate for their rights, and build a strong community.

Learn more by giving us a call at 607-432-0494, completing the application today! or submit the form on this page to be sent our membership packet!

Written by Super User

Published: 05 July 2018

About The American Legion Riders Post 259

American Legion Riders chapters are well known for their charitable work, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local children's hospitals, schools, veterans homes, severely wounded service members and scholarships. Since 2006, Riders nationwide have participated in The American Legion Legacy Run to annually raise money for the Legacy Scholarship Fund, established to provide scholarships to children of U.S. military personnel killed since Sept. 11, 2001.

For a brochure visit: https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/legion/publications/70IA0318-Legion-Riders-Brochure.pdf

History

In Garden City, Mich., in 1993, 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. The two longtime riders wanted an environment where Legion family members could come together to share a common love for motorcycles.

Dare and Kaledas wrote a letter to Michigan Department Adjutant Hubert Hess, sharing their idea. Hess replied that he liked the concept and wanted to pursue it. Later, he gave Kaledas and Dare instructions for managing the program at the post level. He also explained how they could be approved to use the American Legion emblem, and how to gain Membership's support and recognition. At a regular meeting, Post 396 members passed a resolution for a new program to be known as the "American Legion Riders."

Joined by 19 other founding members from their post, Dare and Kaledas were flooded with requests for information about their organization. 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.

Legion Riders today

Currently, over 110,000 American Legion Riders meet in over 2,000 chapters in every domestic department and in at least three foreign countries. 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. Riders in all states have escorted military units returning home from combat tours overseas, conducted massive cross-country fundraising events for wounded warriors from all services, and have raised millions of dollars for countless local, state and national charities. Many Riders, supported by their departments, conduct annual statewide Legacy Runs in direct support of American Legion scholarship progras of Operation Comfort Warriors (OCW), supporting our wounded servicemembers across the nation.

True to the Legion's grassroots tradition, each chapter manages its programs at the post level, where the best ideas are born. The Riders are part of many projects and events, including:

• Rolling Thunder, the annual POW/MIA rally in Washington on Memorial Day weekend.
• Annual regional rides such as Operation Wounded Warrior, sponsored by Riders in Nevada, Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, California and other Western states.
• Local charity events in support of The American Legion and local communities.
• Raising money for VA hospitals, women and children centers, children and youth centers, schools and other facilities.
• Sponsoring or participating in motorcycle runs to benefit numerous charities.
• Local memorial ceremonies and community parades.
• The American Legion Legacy Run, an annual cross-country fundraising ride from National Headquarters in Indianapolis to the 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.
• Escorting military units to departure airfields and airports for combat tours overseas, and welcoming them home upon their return.

Written by Super User

Published: 03 July 2018

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