AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS- POST 238
Email: rbornkampAL238@aol.com
Several years ago on January 29, 2012 a new member of the American Legion family joined our post. Later that member became our 1st Director, Jim Burgess. He was well known to the American Legion Family of Members and with his assistance we were able to get things done in record time. With help from members of the Legion, Auxiliary, and Sons we we able to submit our Bylaws. Upon their approval, we received our charter on March 28, 2012, consisting of 19 charter members. Since that date The American Legion Riders- Chapter 238 has been proudly posted in our meeting hall alongside the signs of our "parent" organizations.
Since then we have gone on many rides for fun as well as rides raising funds for, and in support of, programs to assist our veterans and their families. One of the most fun functions is our annual ride in the Independence Day Parade on the 4th of July in our hometown of Safety Harbor. *Thank you to the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 238 for inviting us to the parade.* According to the American Legion National Offices, our Safety Harbor 4th of July Parade is the only one sponsored by an American Legion Auxiliary Unit in the country. We have been joined in the Parade by the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club since 2012 and more recently by our local VFW, other American Legion Rider Chapters, as well as the Suncoast Brotherhood of Riders. As always, we are looking forward to next years Parade with great enthusiasm!
Outside of riding, Riders who had transfered their membership to our Chapter brought with them the idea to start cooking and selling Breakfast on the 1st & 3rd Saturday's of each month. We still serve breakfast open to the public on those two Saturdays a month. So come on in for the biggest $7.00 Breakfast you'll ever eat. (And, special thanks to Tom Brull for the original idea.)
LEGION RIDERS
Today over 425 American Legion Riders programs, organized by chapters, districts, or departments, support Americanism and Children and Youth programs in virtually every state in the nation, and more are organizing each month. One of the fastest-growing and most highly visible of the many programs offered by The American Legion, The American Legion Riders are a very diverse group, and so are the programs that we support. What do American Legion Riders do? The activities are far too many to mention in this space, but here are a few examples:
- American Legion Riders chapters and districts, nationally, have become some of the most generous donors for the American Legacy Scholarship Fund, raising as much as $5,000 or more in a single event.
- Legion Riders participate in the annual POW/MIA Rally held each Memorial weekend in Washington D.C. known as "Rolling Thunder".
- Legion Riders sponsor or participate in local and national charity events in support of the sponsoring American Legion Post.
- Legion Riders ride to raise money for such organizations as local VA Hospitals, Battered Women and Children's Center, Varied Children and Youth programs, a School for Blind Children, Veterans Relief, Needy families and many, many others.
- Legion Riders founded a national movement called “Patriot Guard” (www.patriotguard.org) that honors and protects the sanctity of military funerals and memorial services.
- Legion Riders have formed special motorcycle Honor Guards and ceremonial teams highlighting the special bonds formed in military service and the motorcycling community.
- Legion Riders have also begun to teach motorcycle and driver safety in the community and in schools in cooperation with ABATE and other national motorcycling organizations.
If you're a rider and interested in the ALR stop in and see any 238 Chapter Member. We'll be glad to explain more and if you desire, assist you with a membership application!