ALR Post 245 History
On May 14, 2013, an organizational meeting of interested members was held at The American Legion Post 245. A proposed set of By-Laws for the American Legion Riders Post 245 was discussed, reviewed and adopted by the individuals present at this meeting. It was decided that the ALR Meetings will be held on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm. There were 10 members on the roster after the meeting.
The American Legion Riders Chapter 245 was Chartered by The American Legion Post 245 on June 3, 2013.
ALR National History
In Garden City, Mich., in 1993, Chuck "Tramp" Dare and Bill "Polka" Kaledas, commander of American Legion Post 396, shared an idea to start a motorcycle enthusiasts association within the organization. The two longtime riders wanted an environment where Legion family members could come together to share a common love for motorcycles.
Dare and Kaledas wrote a letter to Michigan Department Adjutant Hubert Hess, sharing their idea. Hess replied that he liked the concept and wanted to pursue it. Later, he gave Kaledas and Dare instructions for managing the program at the post level. He also explained how they could be approved to use the American Legion emblem, and how to gain Membership's support and recognition. At a regular meeting, Post 396 members passed a resolution for a new program to be known as the "American Legion Riders."
Joined by 19 other founding members from their post, Dare and Kaledas were flooded with requests for information about their organization. They agreed to establish a central source for the Riders to ensure that chapters formed not as motorcycle clubs or gangs, but as Legionnaires and Auxiliary and SAL members joining to ride as Legion family.