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HOW AN AMERICAN LEGION POST, ON THE HI-LINE IN MONTANA, HAS FOUND A WAY TO GROW OUR MEMEBERSHIP, AND WITH YOUNGER PEOPLE, IN 2022/ 2023

I would like to explain how our Post has managed to grow the interest and membership in Havre Chapter, Post 11, American Legion. We have continued to grow as a direct result of the Administration of our Director, Les Johnson, and Assistant Director Brian (Carp) Carpenter, and the creation of the American Legion Chapter 11 Riders! It was apparent that we needed excitement brought into being a member. For those Active Members, Veterans and Son’s that also ride Motorcycles, our Riders Chapter has managed that! Of course, every member of the Riders Chapter “must be a member of the American Legion”. We picked up 14 new members so far in 2022. This article is to enlighten all of you on the RIDERS GROUP and the Importance of our group to the American Legion, service men and woman, our Veteran’s, in our Community.

As for our Havre Post 11 Riders Group, the Members Bill Tucker, Brian Carpenter, and Les Johnson, in 2018, started working towards growing a Chapter in Havre, Montana. Bylaws, for the group, were established, in December of that year. They were formally accepted, by, American Legion Post 11, shortly after. The first official meeting was December 1st, 2018, at that time membership was 10 Members all of whom paid an annual dues of $20.00. That started our group out with a proper bank account, and we had our start. We established a dress code to further make our group stand out when performing Community Service. We wear red t- shirts, under our leather vests, these have the 22 a day Veteran Lives Matter Logo on them, in support of the deployed Soldiers and to keep them in our thoughts! Also, for those that have returned and to bring attention to the 22 Veterans that commit suicide a day on average.

Of course, once you grow a group like ours you must keep them busy so they can see the benefits of belonging in the American Legion and the Riders group. The following are a few events that we have either created or taken part in to keep the interest up.

American Legion Riders Post 11 Havre have made ourselves available to the community. Some of the ways in which we have done that, are, WE, post the colors for ALL the various branches of the Military at events like

We sponsored and worked on Memorial Day to serve lunch to the people in in Havre. Our Chapter has donated to in need

On Memorial Day we help with the “place a flag at every veteran’s grave” program, at our local Cemetery. As a group we arrange for longer annual member rides, thus far to White Sulfur Springs, Lewistown, Helena and this year Billings/Laurel.

This year we created an important event in remembrance of 9/11, which will now be an annual event. This was held precisely at 9:11 am at our town square on September 11th. We did this in conjunction with Havre’s Honor Guard. We had Invocation, the National Anthem, a very, detailed speech by Member Dale Herd and Benediction. These items were followed by an escorted Ride by a Montana State Trooper, out to Beaver Creek. Once there we offered a moment of silence and we returned to Havre to host a luncheon at the Havre Elks Lodge. This was open to everyone in Havre, and we fed 70 people.

We have made it known that if there are any Veterans that have motorcycles, within a 50-mile, radius we would be honored to have you join our group in Havre. We would show you how things are done. If you were inclined and could get 10 Members you could start your own Charter of American Legion Riders. Our Director Les Johnson’s phone number is 406 394-2287 with any questions.

Our Group in Havre is very proud of our own program to supply Scholarships to Children and Grandchildren of Retired and Active Service Members. This is in conjunction with the Havre High School and is $500.00 Scholarships to further their Education. Once again, our goal is to give thanks and recognition to people in and out of the service. Side note* we are always looking for donations to help with our scholarship program!! The more money we have the more we can give!! If this seems like a cause you could throw some support at you can donate at hpseducationfoundation.com in care of American Legion Post 11 RIDERS