Pull into a Legion post on a Saturday and you might see two dozen motorcycles lined up outside. To someone unfamiliar with the organization, that looks like a motorcycle club meeting. It isn’t — and the American Legion Riders are unusually clear about that distinction.
Here’s what the Legion Riders actually are, what they do, and why the “biker club” assumption gets it wrong.
Legion Riders vs. a Motorcycle Club: The Real Difference
This is the single most common misconception, and it’s worth addressing directly. American Legion Riders chapters are formally directed to avoid the perception of being a motorcycle club at all.
| American Legion Riders | Traditional Motorcycle Club (MC) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A program of The American Legion | An independent club |
| Who can join | Existing Legion, Auxiliary, or S.A.L. members only | Membership independent of any parent organization |
| Territory | None claimed | Often claims territory |
| Structure | Riding association under Post authority | Independent club hierarchy and rules |
| Family involvement | Explicitly family-oriented | Varies widely |
| Primary purpose | Charitable fundraising and Legion support | Varies by club |
The founders set it up this way deliberately. Riders chapters were meant to form as Legion family members who happen to ride together — not as clubs or gangs that happen to have veterans in them.
What Legion Riders Actually Do
The riding is real, but it’s the vehicle, not the point. Riders chapters are best known for fundraising, and the numbers involved are substantial.
The Legacy Run
The flagship event is the American Legion Legacy Run — a multi-day, 1,000-plus-mile ride held annually since 2006. According to The American Legion’s Legacy Run program, the ride has raised more than $16 million since its founding.
That money funds scholarships for children who lost a parent in military service on or after September 11, 2001, and for children of veterans with significant VA disability ratings.
Local Charity Rides and Escorts
- Fundraising rides supporting children’s hospitals, veterans homes, schools, and wounded service members.
- Funeral escorts for veterans’ services, often coordinated alongside a post’s Honor Guard rendering military funeral honors.
- Welcome-home and send-off escorts for deploying or returning service members.
- Parade participation and community event presence throughout the year.
Post 51’s Legion Riders
Locally, Post 51’s Legion Riders chapter operates with its own officer structure — including a Director, Vice Director, and a Ride Director who coordinates the chapter’s rides, plus a Safety Officer, a role that reflects how seriously the program treats group-riding discipline.
That Safety Officer position isn’t decorative. Group riding at scale requires formation discipline, clear hand signals, and route planning — the kind of thing a chapter with an assigned safety role handles far better than an informal group of friends heading out together.
Where the Riders Program Came From
The Legion Riders are a relatively recent addition to an organization founded in 1919. The program started in 1993 at Post 396 in Garden City, Michigan, when two longtime riders — Chuck “Tramp” Dare and post commander Bill “Polka” Kaledas — proposed a motorcycle enthusiasts’ association within the Legion family.
They took the idea to the Michigan Department Adjutant, who backed it, and Post 396 passed a resolution creating the program. Along with 19 other founding members from that single post, the two were quickly flooded with requests for information from posts elsewhere — and what began as one post’s initiative grew into a formalized national program with its own guidelines and leadership structure.
That relatively late start explains something about how the program is structured. By the 1990s, public perception of motorcycle clubs was already well established, so the Riders’ founders wrote the “we are not an MC” distinction into the program’s DNA from the beginning rather than having to correct course later.
Why Riders Matter to a Post Like 51
For a post in a town the size of Lebanon, a Riders chapter does something practical: it creates a visible, mobile presence for the Post beyond its own walls.
A dozen riders escorting a veteran’s funeral procession or rolling into a community parade reaches people who’d never walk into a Legion hall on their own. It’s outreach that happens to be fun for the people doing it — which is part of why the program has grown as steadily as it has while many traditional veteran organization activities have struggled with participation.
Who Can Join the Legion Riders
Riders membership is layered on top of existing Legion family membership — you can’t join the Riders alone. In short, you’ll need:
- Current membership in The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, or Sons of The American Legion.
- A legally registered motorcycle in your name, or your spouse’s if they’re the registered owner.
- A valid motorcycle endorsement and insurance meeting Oregon requirements.
If you’re not yet a Legion family member, that’s the first step — our guide to joining the American Legion in Lebanon, Oregon walks through eligibility for all four membership paths.
Common Questions People Are Too Polite to Ask
Do I need a Harley?
No. Engine displacement minimums vary by chapter, but there’s no brand requirement anywhere in the program. Touring bikes are common simply because long charity runs favor comfort.
Do I have to ride in every event?
No. Participation levels vary widely — some members ride nearly everything, others join a handful of local events a year.
Can my spouse ride along?
Yes. Passengers are common, and the family-oriented structure is intentional rather than incidental.
What if I’m a new or rusty rider?
Chapters generally welcome riders of varying experience, and group rides are structured with formation discipline and a designated safety role precisely because not everyone arrives as a seasoned long-distance rider. If you’re returning to riding after time away, say so — it’s better information for the ride organizer than a surprise mid-route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the American Legion Riders a motorcycle club?
No. The Riders are a program of The American Legion and a riding association, not a motorcycle club. Chapters are specifically directed to avoid the perception of being an MC, claim no territory, and don’t follow MC rules or structures.
Do I have to be a veteran to join the Legion Riders?
Not necessarily. You need membership in the Legion, Auxiliary, or Sons of The American Legion — the Auxiliary and S.A.L. are open to eligible family members of veterans, not just veterans themselves.
What is the American Legion Legacy Run?
An annual multi-day charity ride covering over 1,000 miles, held since 2006, raising money for scholarships benefiting children of fallen and disabled post-9/11 service members.
Is there a minimum motorcycle size?
Engine displacement minimums vary by chapter and department. Contact Post 51 at (541) 451-1351 for the local requirement.
How do I join Post 51’s Legion Riders?
First, join The American Legion, Auxiliary, or S.A.L. if you’re not already a member. Then contact Post 51 at (541) 451-1351 to ask about the Riders chapter.
Ride With Purpose
The Legion Riders offer something a standard riding group can’t: every mile is attached to a mission. If you’re already a Legion family member with a bike in the garage — or you’re eligible and haven’t joined yet — contact Post 51 at (541) 451-1351 to ask about the chapter.