Wisconsin’s Legion Riders donate more than $36,000 to Camp American Legion.
Since 1925, Camp American Legion in Lake Tomahawk, Wis., has provided a respite for the state’s honorably discharged veterans and their spouse or caregiver and immediate dependent-age children, to active-duty military personnel and their families, and to the families of U.S. servicemembers and National Guardsmen killed while on active duty overseas.
Completely free of charge, the 300-acre camp offers boating, fishing, hiking, camaraderie and a chance to enjoy Wisconsin’s beautiful Northwoods between Little Lake Tomahawk and Big Carr Lake. Across the state, American Legion posts have provided support for Camp American Legion’s mission.
And so have Wisconsin’s American Legion Riders.
Since 2010, Riders from all over the state have taken part in the Ride to Camp American Legion, bringing with them hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations in the process. The most recent effort took place Sept. 12-14 and brought in more than $36,000, which will be used to build an equipment storage building at the camp.
Wisconsin operates its American Legion Riders program a bit differently, organizing by district instead of chapter. ALR State Director Corey Doehrmann said 11 of 12 districts were represented on this year’s ride, totaling more than 55 motorcycles.
“This is one of my favorite weekends of the year, and I know a lot of people feel the same way,” Doehrmann said. “Hanging out with my Legion Rider family. Going on rides. Sitting around the campfire telling tall tales and having a good time.”
Doehrmann said the initial idea for the ride came from Past Department of Wisconsin Commander Ken Rynes and his late wife Ann. “They were really the starters of this, and the effort is really the same that we try and do today,” he said. “And it has really ballooned since then. Some Riders come for the whole week. We all go out and ride during the day, and we end up back around the campfire at night and receive the healing that the Northwoods and that camp can provide.”
Fundraising comes via a variety of mechanisms. “Our Riders will have raffles and other programs. Brat fries and things like that,” Doehrmann said. “But they will also go out and ask their local Legion posts and Sons squadron or Auxiliary unit to help support the effort. That money is all brought up in September.”
Doehrmann, a member of Staff Sgt. Henry F. Gumm Post 486 in Jackson and Sons of The American Legion Lt. Ray Dickop Squadron 36 in West Bend, believes the beneficiary of the funds raised and the impact its has is why the Riders are so motivated to take part in the ride.
“Camp American Legion is one of those places where you can understand it, but you don’t feel it until you’ve been there,” he said. “It’s one of the weekends I look forward to the most.”
- Riders