About Us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Group

 

Our Mission

To participate in parades and other ceremonies that are in keeping with the aims and purposes of the American Legion. To promote motorcycle safety. To provide a social atmosphere for American Legion members who share the same interests. To use our association to promote and support the programs of the American Legion, the community and other motorcycle organizations.

 

Our History

The American Legion Riders Association of Wisconsin was formed and chartered in August 2000. In it's infancy, the group consisted of a half dozen members. Today, the ALRA of Wisconsin consists of many members covering all twelve districts across the state. Our state meetings are held quarterly.

Our current tri-fold informational brochure: Legion Riders Who We Are

Our current Bylaws and Policy & Procedures: Bylaws and Policy & Procedures

The organization currently has eleven formalized district chapters (districts 4 and 5 are combined).
To see what district you may live in, look at the map. They are as follows:

District 1, in the southeastern most part of Wisconsin, includes Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, Rock and Waukesha counties.

District 2, in east central Wisconsin, includes Columbia, Dodge, Jefferson, Ozaukee, Washington and Sheboygan counties.

District 3, in southwestern Wisconsin, includes Crawford, Dane, Green, Grant, Iowa, Lafayette and Richland counties.

District 4/5, consists of the initial members from Post 400 (Harley Davidson Post - Milwaukee) and many of the surrounding communities around Milwaukee.

District 6 surrounds the Lake Winnebago area. The counties include Calumet, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Manitowoc, Marquette and Winnebago.

District 7, in central and west central Wisconsin, includes Adams, Clark, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Sauk, Juneau, and Vernon counties.

District 8, in central Wisconsin, includes Marathon, Menominee, Portage, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara and Wood counties.

District 9, in northeast Wisconsin, includes Brown, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewaunee, Langlade, Marinette, Oconto and Outagamie counties.

District 10, in west central Wisconsin, includes Barron, Buffalo, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix and Trempealeau counties.

District 11, in northern Wisconsin, includes Ashland, Iron, Lincoln, Oneida, Price, Taylor and Vilas counties.

District 12, in northwestern Wisconsin, includes Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer and Washburn counties.

For more information on these districts, go to the News & Pics page and click on the respective district in the left column.

The year 2001 was our first year to conduct events together as a group. Some of our accomplishments consisted of providing a motorcycle color guard and service flag display for three parades The July 4th Parade in Oshkosh, the Labor Day Parade in Menasha, and the "Salute to Our Troops" Parade in Oshkosh on Sunday, October 7, 2001.

The "Salute to Our Troops" was a parade sponsored by ALRA of Wisconsin to show support of our military personnel who are committed to protecting our country's freedoms. It was also a memorial tribute to honor the rescuers, to those injured, to those who lost their lives and to all those affected by the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Little did we know, this parade would "kick off" the war!

We were invited as the color guard in a motorcycle run to King Veteran's Home Open House in King, WI. This event is sponsored by the Fox Valley H.O.G. Chapter and American Legion Post 38 in Appleton. A pancake breakfast was provided by the post for those participating. Once arriving at the veteran's home, in addition to tours on the grounds, King held a classic automobile and military vehicle show, riverboat rides on the "Chief Waupaca", food booths and a chance to exchange stories with some of our senior brothers and sisters.

The year 2002 was a memorable one for many reasons. Not only did our organization repeat the same events from the previous year, but many others were added. Two of the more memorable events were Rolling Thunder's Candlelight Remembrance Ceremony in Ripon and the motorcycle escort of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) from Milwaukee to Appleton and the ceremonies that surrounded its presence.

ALRA of WI was very honored to be invited to participate in Rolling Thunder's Candlelight Remembrance Ceremony. Rolling Thunder is a grass roots organization that supports the accountability of all POW/MIAs throughout all wars and conflicts. It is their mission to educate the public of the fact that many American prisoners of war were left behind after all past wars. Also, to help correct the past and to protect the future veterans from being left behind should they become prisoners of war-missing in action.

On May 19th in Ripon, the Candlelight Remembrance Ceremony began with a motorcycle procession. This included a motorcycle color guard and a service flag display. It also included representatives from the Gold Star Mothers. These are American mothers who lost a son or daughter during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Beirut, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Bosnia, Saudi Arabia, all Strategic Areas, or while in service to our country. These ladies actually rode as riders on the back of motorcycles!

The procession ended at a park where the actual candlelight remembrance ceremony took place. This formal ceremony honored those veterans, from all branches of service, who died for us protecting our freedoms and those still not accounted for..

The second memorable event was a true honor. The ALRA of Wisconsin conducted a formal motorcycle escort of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) from Milwaukee to Appleton. At 4/5 scale, the AVTT is the largest Portable Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

The American Veterans Traveling Tribute is an unforgettable exhibit traveling the United States that pays tribute to the men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War.

Not only the escort of The Wall, but being a part of its construction, participating in its ceremonies, providing for its security and dismantling it are memories that will never be forgotten.

Here are a few more rides of the recent past that the organization is currently participating in.

One was a new mission of raising money for Camp American Legion, a quiet getaway in Wisconsin's north country for a Wisconsin veteran to have some recuperative time to aid in your recovery from an operation, illness, breakdown or other affliction. The ALRA of Wisconsin has made this an annual benefit ride to help support this cause.

Every year, the ALRA of Wisconsin participates in the America's Freedom Rally Ride for Armed Forces. This ride takes place in Milwaukee, starting at the Harley Davidson Plant on Capital Drive. Hundreds of motorcycles have participated in this ceremonial event, commemorating those that protect this great nation.

Another event was the Oshkosh Aces Fallen Heroes Benefit Ride. This is a ride put on by a well-known motorcycle club in the Oshkosh area that raised money for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a fund that helps support the famlies of soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our Great Nation.

Since then there are many new events along with those that are traditionally carried on. Please check out the site to see them.

The list goes on and on. Many of the past year's events can be found on our Old Pictures and News & Pics pages. Please take the time to check them out.

Membership Requirements

A current member of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion.

You must be a registered owner of a motorcycle of at least 500cc and hold a current motorcycle endorsement. The motorcycle must be operational upon renewal, or as determined by the Executive Board.

All new applicants should be sponsored by a fellow American Legion Rider or seek membership from the Executive Board.

Upon approval of appointment, annual dues must be paid.

Anyone meeting the above requirements who would love to share their enthusiasm and interests are more than welcome to contact us.

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