Legion Riders: The fastest growing Legion program

The American Legion Riders (ALR) continue to be the fastest-growing – and one of the most high-profile – programs in the organization. There are more than 2,100 chapters made up of approximately 110,000 members throughout the Legion.

The Department of California alone has added 10 new ALR chapters and 354 new members this year, according to State ALR President Mick Sobczak. But the growth isn’t limited to California.

In Angleton, Texas, a Riders chapter was started at Charles Dixon Post 241 earlier this year. The chapter was started, in part, to attract younger members, said Shawn Hogan, a Legion Rider and Post 241’s public relations officer.

Hogan, an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, said it can be a challenge being a younger member in a post comprised primarily of Vietnam veterans. The Riders help bridge that gap, as well as get younger veterans involved “in what we do, which is God and Country and helping our local small community,” Hogan said.

Chapter 241 began doing cooking events at Goe Harley-Davidson in Angleton as a way to raise money. The chapter started off with $36 but has raised more than $1,100 since the events started.

“Our relations with Goe (Harley-Davidson) is great,” Hogan said. “They help in ways that would cost us money, such as advertising events. They also let us keep recruitment flyers in their service area, as well as the sales team contacting us when they have a veteran come in.”

In Bisbee, Ariz., Chapter 16 chartered in August of 2016. The creation of the chapter has been part of a post revitalization effort; Chapter 16 Director Paul “Doc” Dougherty said the Riders are among the most active members of the post.

“I think one of the key factors in our ability to prosper is our shared approach to making things happen,” Dougherty said. “Everyone has a voice. Everyone has ideas. When faced with challenges, we come up with solutions using a group-based approach. We put family first and are committed to one another through mutual helpfulness.”

And at Post 661 in Washburn, Ill., a Riders chapter was chartered in February of this year. The seven-person chapter already has a monthly bike night from April to October, featuring live food and music. Last month’s bike night raised $675.

For information on starting an American Legion Riders chapter at your post, visit www.legion.org/riders/participate.