BRIEF HISTORY
The American Legion Riders were first formed in 1993 in Garden City, Michigan. Since those first days, we have grown and expanded to over 40 Departments. The purpose of the American Legion Riders is to participate in parades and other ceremonies that are within the aims and goals of the American Legion to promote motorcycle safety to provide a social atmosphere for The American Legion Family member and to use our program to support other motorcycle organizations, the community, and most of all our Veterans, Veterans homes and hospitals.
To join The American Legion Riders, you must be a member of The American Legion Family or the spouse or child of a member.
American Legion Riders chapters and districts, nationally, have become some of the most generous donors for the American Legacy Scholarship Fund, raising as much as $5,000 or more in a single event.
Legion Riders participate in the annual POW/MIA Rally held each Memorial weekend in Washington D.C. known as "Rolling Thunder". Legion Riders sponsor or participate in local and national charity events in support of the sponsoring American Legion Post.
Legion Riders ride to raise money for such organizations as local VA Hospitals, Battered Women and Children's Center, Varied Children and Youth programs, a School for Blind Children, Veterans Relief, Needy families and many, many others.
Legion Riders founded a national movement called “Patriot Guard” (www.patriotguard.org) that honors and protects the sanctity of military funerals and memorial services. Legion Riders have formed special motorcycle Honor Guards and ceremonial teams highlighting the special bonds formed in military service and the motorcycling community.
Legion Riders have also begun to teach motorcycle and driver safety in the community and in schools in cooperation with ABATE and other national motorcycling organizations.