ALR Director: Way to go, Zimmerman!

I would like to begin by acknowledging my appreciation to Department Commander Linda Dvorak and Department President Robin Dorf for the invitation to bring greetings on behalf of the Minnesota American Legion Riders at the general sessions for both the Legion and Auxiliary during the annual Fall Conference. It was an honor to do this and hopefully, I represented the Legion Riders proudly.

The Legion Riders held an annual meeting during fall conference on Oct. 25. I would like to say “thank you” to the 34 Legion Riders who attended the meeting in St. Cloud.

Your attendance and participation were very much appreciated. I had nine out of 10 District Legion Rider representatives present. Not only did we conduct normal business, but we also incorporated some learning/discussion topics, such as keeping the ALR image, Fund 84 and Fund 85 rides in 2026, ROMP and rally information, Traveling Trophy, CCR (Consolidated Chapter Report) and Chapter Officer Reports, online calendar demonstration, creating a Rider chapter handbook, and ALR of Honor discussion/information. It was an informative meeting with much participation from those in attendance.

The Minnesota American Legion Riders has a traveling trophy that Rider chapters try to retrieve for bragging rights among other chapters in Minnesota. This fun activity runs from March 1 through Oct. 31. I would like to say congratulations to the Zimmerman American Legion Riders for retrieving the Traveling Trophy and bringing it back to your home post.

This trophy will be displayed proudly at Zimmerman Post 560 throughout the winter and become available on March 1 for the taking by another chapter.

As we welcome in the cooler months, majority of us Legion Riders have winterized our bikes, signaling the end of the riding season. Just because my two wheels is parked for six months doesn’t mean my four wheels can’t travel this great state of Minnesota.

If any Minnesota American Legion Family post, unit, squadron or chapter has an event, please let me know. If my schedule or weather allows me to attend, I sure would like to.

The Ride Committee will begin the planning stages for the Fund 85 Ride schedule for July 22-25, 2026. We are covering the southern half of Minnesota. I am interested in knowing if there is a post willing to host the kickoff party on Wednesday, July 22, and a post willing to host the ending party on Saturday, July 25. I would also like to hear if there are posts or other veteran service facilities interested in the Legion Riders stopping along the route July 23-25.

Please contact me, Garylee Davenport, Shawn or Jill Davis, Paul or Jody Hassing, or Ted Berg.

The National Mission Ride (American Legion Veterans & Children’s Foundation) will be on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. More information to be determined.

In closing, I hope to see many of you at the Pearl Harbor Rally on Dec. 6 at Buffalo Post 270. God bless our veterans and their families and remember: “Let’s Be Awesome Today!”

Duane Mabon of Pipestone Post 6 is the director of the Minnesota American Legion Riders.