American Legion Riders Post 10
The American Legion Riders is formed to promote the aims and purposes of The American Legion as a family oriented motorcycling activity for members of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary, and The Sons of The American Legion. 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, veteran’s 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.
American Legion Riders
In Garden City, Michigan, 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. The American Legion established the National Riders Program on October 17-18, 2007.
All American Legion Rider groups must be a program supported by a Post or Department of The American Legion and shall uphold the declared principles of The American Legion as well as conform to and abide by the regulations and decisions of the Department, Post or other duly constituted Department governing body.
The ALR Post 10 chapter meets at the Post on the 4th Tuesday of each month, except during the winter. We are welcoming new members that meet the Chapter’s eligibility requirements. The core conditions are as follows:
- Must be a member in good standing with The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of The American Legion.
- Must own a legally registered motorcycle or be the legally registered owner’s spouse within the state of registration. The motorcycle must be at least 650ccs.
- All operators must be properly licensed and insured per state laws.
- Cannot be a member of another ALR group.
- Pay $15 dues.
If you don’t own a motorcycle, the Chapter also welcomes supporting, non-voting members. The essential requirements mirror numbers 1, 4 and 5 above.
The ALR recognizes children are our future. Junior membership is a way for them to learn about the ALR and our mission. Boys and girls from birth to the age of 18 are eligible through an ALR family member who is in good standing. Junior members shall pay dues in the amount of $1. Their membership runs on the same fiscal year as the ALR. Junior members shall not hold an office or have voting rights.
The ALR runs on a fiscal year from July 1st to June 30th. Proof of eligibility is required annually by each member.