Legion Riders continue proud tradition in county
Some ride for pride. Some ride for freedom. The Butler County Legion Riders ride for both of the above and then some.
The motorcycle riding group is part of the American Legion family, according to Dennis Christie, president of the county's riding organization.
To be a member, one has to be a veteran, be the offspring of a veteran or an auxiliary member of the parent organization. The rider must also have a motorcycle with a 250cc engine or larger.
“We do anything to honor our veterans,” said Christie, a member of Post 117 in Butler.
Riders have been known to escort veteran funeral processions as well as the remains of veterans recovered from foreign wars.
Christie said the riders have also escorted veterans returning home from their service, and they try to assist other veterans-support organizations as much as possible.
“We go to schools and put on programs to make children aware of the need for patriotism and explain the significance of the American flag,” Christie said.
Greg Bigger is president of the Legion Riders in Zelienople and president of Region 2, which encompasses 16 chapters of riders.
Bigger said motorcyclists often say riding is one of the most freeing experiences in their lives. He said using that sense of freedom to thank veterans for their part in creating that freedom feels right.
“You go to sleep and you know you're safe,” Bigger said. “We can't do what we're doing if they're not doing what they're doing. Everybody has a job to do. We take for granted that someone is on watch while we're having fun.”
Bob Mead, leader of the Legion Riders of Harrisville, said every moment riders spend on their motorcycles for someone else's benefit is special. He said it drives home the feeling of brotherhood shared by all veterans.
“It's like being out in the field with other veterans,” Mead said. “We're on the same mission to accomplish the same goal.”
Mead said the public's support and excitement in seeing them is much more positive today than it was in the past. He said Vietnam veterans were mistreated upon their return home, so he is pleased to see stronger support today.
“We are veterans riding for veterans,” he said. “Our whole purpose is to serve our existing veterans and past veterans, and provide them with some benefits.”
Bigger said the riders have done much to increase awareness about the American Legion and what it can offer to veterans — namely support.
“I see how far we've grown and how much better we've communicated,” he said. “It's just amazing how many people you can touch and get the word out to support them and have them support you.”
Christie said he hopes veterans see them riding as a sign of support as well as an invitation to join their ranks.
He said he is proud to ride for his brothers. He said it is worth every mile.
“I hope we evoke the pride of being a service member. They are not forgotten, whether it was a KIA we escorted home or a serviceman who we brought home from deployment,” Christie said. “They're not in this battle alone. They can get ahold of us, and maybe we can help them in some way.”
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization that assists veterans, military personnel and their families.From the organization's website, www.legion.org, the following information was available:MEMBERSHIP: 2 million worldwideWORLD POSTS: 13,000BUTLER COUNTY POSTS: 11 total: Post 117 in Butler, Post 219 in Evans City, Post 243 in West Sunbury, Post 393 in Slippery Rock, Post 417 in Prospect, Post 642 in Chicora, Post 683 in Saxonburg, Post 778 in Butler Township, Post 474 in Zelienople, Post 787 in Mars and Post 852 in HarrisvilleWHAT MEMBERS DO: Personal assistance, cash grants, donated goods, disaster relief, labor, networking, volunteerism and advocacyVETERAN ASSISTANCE: Benefits assistance, career assistance, comfort for the recovering, education assistance, family and community support, financial services, homeless veteran outreach, honor and remembrance, member discounts, advocacy in Washington, D.C., and volunteer opportunities, among others.
