ALR Director: Minnesota ALR recognized in Tampa

We had another successful Fund 85 Ride the last weekend in July. Fund 85 is the Minnesota Veterans Assistance Fund.

The Riders success was published in the September edition of The Minnesota Legionnaire edition front page. A final tally will be announced at the Fall Conference in St. Cloud.

Each year our goal is to try and surpass the previous year’s turn-in. Therefore, I would kindly ask the Minnesota American Legion Family start planning a dollar amount that your post, unit, squadron and chapter would consider donating toward this mission for the 2026 run, which will be routed through the southern half of Minnesota.

The ride committee will begin meeting this fall. If any posts would like us to stop, please reach out to myself, Garylee Davenport (assistant director), Ted Berg (road captain), Shawn Davis (secretary/treasurer), Jody Hassing (Fund 85 Ride chairwoman) or Jill Davis (Fund 85 Ride treasurer).

On Aug. 16, Walker American Legion Riders hosted the National American Legion Mission Ride that supports the American Legion Veterans & Children’s Foundation. This ride was a one-day event and collected $11,000, which was announced by Past Minnesota Riders Director Jody Hassing at the National American Legion Convention in Tampa on Aug. 26.

The Minnesota American Legion Family Camporee was Sept. 4-7, and then the ROMP, an acronym meaning Riding on Military Pride followed Sept. 11-14. Both events were at Legionville.

The Riders held their annual meeting with installation of officers on Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. Department Commander Linda Dvorak installed Minnesota ALR officers:

Director Duane Mabon, Assistant Director Garylee Davenport, Secretary/Treasurer Shawn Davis, Chaplain Sharon Cross and Sergeant-at-Arms Matt Berens.

I would like to personally congratulate them and thank them for stepping up and accepting these positions and helping continue to make the Minnesota American Legion Riders a program second to none.

In fact, this was echoed by National American Legion Riders Chairman Mark Clark during the National American Legion Convention Fund 84 donation presentations in Tampa.

After the Minnesota presentation, Chairman Clark stepped up to the microphone before the next state to remind all those in attendance at the convention as well as those watching the livestream that Minnesota was the first state to raise over a $1 million for the National Legacy Scholarship Fund.

I could tell in his voice and his facial expression that his words were sincere. The Minnesota American Legion Riders and all Minnesotans should be proud of this accomplishment. I imagine Steve “Sully” Sullivan is smiling down on all of us within the Minnesota American Legion Family. Blessed be his memory!

I realize the Riding season is coming to an end; however, if there are any events that you would like me to attend, please reach out to me. I would like the chapters to keep me informed with all the good they are doing.

All Riders are encouraged to attend our meeting at Fall Conference at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 in Room University B at the Best Western Kelly Inn Hotel in St. Cloud.

God bless our veterans and their families and remember: “Let’s Be Awesome Today!”