The Wagner American Legion Post hosted the American Legion Ride 605 riders on Monday, June 10th. The riders were welcomed and enjoyed lunch with several Wagner American Legion members and several of Wagner’s own American Legion riders. After giving the riders a nice break filled with great conversation and lunch, the Wagner American Legion presented the organization with a $500 donation.

The American Legion Ride 605 was holding their second annual Ride 605 for Vets event. The event was a four-day motorcycle ride that fundraises for the South Dakota American Legion Foundation. Money raised from this event will go to benefit Veterans in need or children and youth programs. When a Veteran has a need that Veteran’s Affairs cannot or will not cover, it is this foundation that steps up and does what it can to assist.

The ride began with the American Legion Riders from across South Dakota invited to meet in Pierre on Saturday, June 8th at 9:30 a.m. with stops in Chamberlain, Dimock, Ethan and Mitchell. Each stop was specifically planned as either a stop for food, fuel or a donation. Day two of the ride started out in Mitchell then to Artesian, Huron, DeSmet, Chester, Dell Rapids, Garretson and finally to Sioux Falls. The third day of the ride the riders left Sioux Falls stopping in Yankton, Wagner, Stickney, Alpena and Redfield. The fourth and final day of the trip, Tuesday, June 11th, the riders left Redfield for Gettysburg, Onida and finally to Pierre. The American Legion Ride 605 event rode a total of 855 miles in four days. The group of motorcycles was followed by a chase car or RV for safety and repair reasons.

This year’s Ride 605 for Vets event had a goal to raise $5,000. The riders exceeded their goal but will be announcing the donation total at the State Convention that is being held the weekend of June 20th through the 23rd.

Six riders stopped at the Wagner Legion Post home for the event. These riders included Fred Nelson, Micheline Nelson, John Dagit, Buck DeWeese, Ray Ireland, and Jay Youngbluth. Two of Wagner’s own Legion Riders Jay Youngbluth and Harvey Doerr, took part in the event. Jay rode as the Road Captain for the stretch of the ride from Yankton to Wagner and decided to end his ride at Wagner where Harvey Doerr took his place representing Wagner the rest of the day. When asked why he wanted to take part in the Ride 605 event, Jay said “because I am a Legion Rider”. Even though simply stated, his words said it all. As an American Legion member, he lives by the American Legion motto “Veterans Strengthening America” with the organization’s vision being to improve the lives of Veterans, military members and their families. He also rode because he enjoys being on his motorcycle, the comradery that he experiences with other riders that he does not get to see very often and because it is for an organization that helps Veterans.

The event’s Road Captain was Fred Nelson with Ray Ireland was the Sweep Rider for most of the ride. Fred was the SD American Legion Department Commander from 2019 until 2021 and is a member of the American Legion Riders. For Fred, this event allows him to spend time with his fellow Veterans who have not only served in the military or have family that have, but also enjoy riding motorcycles. Being a part of the American Legion Ride 605 allows him to spend time with fellow Veterans with whom he shares common experiences with. Not only do they get to ride together and share their experiences, but they also get to promote the American Legion.

Fred is a member of the Spearfish American Legion Chapter. He is a 25-year member of the American Legion and served in the Air Force. He has been riding motorcycles for the past 52 years. For Fred, being a part of the American Legion Riders was a great way to combine two of his passions one being a part of the American Legion and two getting ride on his motorcycle. Fred and his wife, Micheline Nelson, along with several members of the Black Hills Riders Chapter traveled to Pierre to take part in the four-day event. Micheline began making plans and preparing the route and donation stops for this event in February. She did an amazing job of organizing all of the details in order to make the 2024 Ride 605 for Vets such a huge success.

The riders were from across the state, with some of them riding throughout the entire event and others joining for certain parts of the event. Spearfish, Aberdeen, Wagner, Selby and Sioux Falls, etc. chapters were all represented with riders. This year’s event differed from last year’s in one major aspect. The 2024 ride days were organized so that the riders would be able to stop and spend time at different donation destinations and post homes in order to talk with the post members and build up comradery and relationships between different units and their members. Each day there were only 5-6 scheduled stops instead of last year’s over 8-10.

Nationally the American Legion Riders have approximately 150,000 members. The South Dakota (The American Legion Ride 605) numbers total approximately 300. The mission statement of the organization is to call for an accounting of Prisoners of War and those missing in action and to honor fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines in addition to fundraising for Veteran, women and children’s organizations. To be eligible to be a Legion Rider, one must be a current member of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or of the Sons of The American Legion and own a licensed and insured motorcycle. The American Legion Riders is a unique organization because it is the only of its kind that allows all three of the American Legion programs to belong to one group. The Wagner Legion Riders currently have 17 members.

Thank you, Jay and Harvey, for representing the Wagner Community, the Wagner American Legion and the Wagner American Legion Riders in the Ride 605 for Vets.