AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS
Department of
Virginia
History & By-Laws
History
The American Legion Riders was formed in 1993 in the state of
Michigan. They have grown and branched out to California,
Colorado, Texas, Wisconsin, and now in Virginia. There are
American Legion posts in Georgia, North Carolina, and Kentucky
starting the American Legion Riders program. The American Legion
Riders is not a motorcycle club. The American Legion
Riders is a veteran's organization, which happens to ride motorcycles.
Our membership is made up of the three parts of the American Legion
Family. That Family, of course, is the American Legion member,
Auxiliary member, and Son's of the Legion (SAL) member.
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, veteran homes, and hospitals.
The American Legion Riders have had the great honor of being Grand
Marshall for the Ft. Lyons run, three years in a row. The American
Legion Riders have flown the colors of The American Legion at Pike's
Peak International Raceway two years in a row. Also, the American
Legion Riders have been continued sponsors of the Run for the Wall,
which ends up in Washington, DC. This year they had over 250,000
motorcycles in the Rally.
The
American Legion Riders of Virginia were the first to escort Korean War
Veterans in a parade that took place in Charlottesville, VA. The
Virginia American Legion Riders are a member organization of The
Citizens Flag Alliance and received an award for being a Commemoration
Partner for the 50th anniversary of the Korean War by the
Secretary of Defense.
The American
Legion Riders also have a big interest in the POW/MIA issue. The
American Legion Riders have been leading the POW/MIA Recognition Ride
into Cripple Creek, Colorado. There have been over 2,800 motorcyclists
from all over the country that joined us in keeping the POW/MIA issue
alive. Senator Ben "Nighthorse" Campbell, Senior Senator from Colorado
became a member of the American Legion during that time. The number of
American Legion Riders is always growing.
By-Laws
Membership
Requirements
To become a member of the American Legion Riders, the applicant must
first be a member in good standing with the American Legion. All
members must abide by the laws set forth by the Department of Motor
Vehicles in the Commonwealth of Virginia. All members will follow the
By-Laws of the American Legion as set forth in the "National
Constitution and by-laws of the American Legion" and "Constitution and
by-laws of the American Legion Department of Virginia, Inc.", the
by-laws of your American Legion District, and the "by-laws of the
American Legion Post you are riding for". The American Legion Rider
by-laws are subordinate to each of the by-laws mentioned above.
Governing Body
The governing body of the American Legion Riders of Virginia shall be
by committee, the members of which shall be appointed by the
Department Commander and approved by the Department Executive
Committee. The committee shall consist of a chairman and three
vice-chairmen from each of the regions representing the Department of
Virginia. This committee shall operate as a sub-committee of the
Department of Virginia's Americanism Committee.
Meetings
This committee
shall meet at the call of the committee chairman at all applicable
department functions.
Rules of Conduct
Members of the American Legion Riders shall be held to the same
standards of conduct as those of the American Legion.
American Legion Riders Jacket Patch
Patches are available and will be sold to the members of the American
Legion Riders. They will be available for purchase from the committee
chairman. They are also available through the American Legion
Emblem sales. We shall wear a black leather vest with the Rider patch
placed on the back center of the vest. We must look uniform;
therefore, other articles of clothing will not cover the vest.
There will be no other patch on the back of the vest.
A POW/MIA patch,
an American Flag patch, an American Legion Patch (representing
membership in either the American Legion, Sons of the American Legion
or the American Legion Auxiliary), and a State Flag patch will be worn
on the front of the vest. Any other patches or pins worn on the vest
must be directly associated with the American Legion or branches of
the U. S. Military with approval from your Post Commander. No pins
will be placed on or above the American Flag patch
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