SPEARFISH–– The American Legion Ride 605 is organized by the South Dakota American Legion Riders as a fundraiser for the South Dakota American Legion Foundation. Fred Nelson, Ride 605 road captain and Department of South Dakota Riders Liaison, reached out to various American Legion Posts, Auxiliary Units, Sons of the American Legion Squadrons, and Chapters of the American Legion Riders to plan the daily routes and stops. Serving veterans in need and providing funding for children and youth programs are at the heart of the entire American Legion Family. During the four-day ride, June 5-8, host Posts can present donations to the Foundation. Others meet up at several host posts and present their check as well. This year’s route starts and ends at the Capitol Lake in Pierre where presentation of the first in-person donations and benediction of the bikes will take place. During the four-day ride, refreshments and meals are provided by the Legion Family in Gettysburg, Herreid, Hosmer, Aberdeen/Warner, Groton, Raymond, Huron, DeSmet, Arlington, Madison, Garretson, Sioux Falls, Ethan, Wagner, Gregory, Winner, and Chamberlain. During the ride, there are opportunities to stop at small towns Veterans Memorials and Monuments, and American Legion Posts. Nelson set a goal to raise $10,000 during the ride.
The Ride 605 will celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Each donor will receive a chance at this beautiful Vietnam original painting from John C. Green donated by Hugh Holmes. Donations of $250 or more will receive an additional chance. Donations can be presented at any of the stops on the ride, at the department joint banquet, or sent to the department headquarters by June 12. Please address checks to the SDAL Foundation, include Ride 605 in the memo. Drawing will be during the Joint Banquet at the Department Convention.
The core Riders group who will complete the four-day ride are from the Black Hills Chapter, Spearfish Post #164, Foot of the Mountain, Piedmont Chapter 311; Warner Chapter 137, Sioux Falls Chapter 15, Northern Plains, Selby Chapter 100, Prairie, Madison Chapter 25, and Greer Chapter 11 from Wagner. Sturgis Post 33 and Chamberlain Post 3 will assist with a chase car and pickup with trailer. Department Commander Kevin Hempel will ride the four days with his wife Robin; both are charter members of the Madison Riders’ Chapter. It will be Commander Hempel’s final big event before the department convention. Other chapters will ride and participate for one or several days.
The South Dakota American Legion Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public organization established to attract and distribute charitable funds for the benefit of South Dakota American Legion programs. The funds are deposited into an endowed permanent fund.
The Foundation is a collection of funds from organizations, families, individuals, and businesses that seek to ensure the long-term continuity of American Legion programs.
With generous contributions and a dedicated group of American Legion members, the South Dakota American Legion Foundation was formed in 2010. These contributions are an effective and growing financial resource, for which the South Dakota American Legion Department Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of the Foundation ensure the future of American Legion Programs. The South Dakota Legion Foundation does not handle any funds directly. The donations received are forwarded to the South Dakota Community Foundation for investment. From there, funds provide income and growth to meet or exceed inflation.
Funds distributed each year are used for South Dakota American Legion programs. If donors do not specify how they want their gifts to be used, the funds will be allocated to programs that benefit veterans in need. The Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, as well as the Children and Youth programs, benefit the most from these donations. Since 2021, the American Legion Ride 605 has raised nearly $25,000 through the first three rides.
The ride schedule is as follows:
Thursday, June 4, 6 p.m. – Sixth annual ALR meeting, calling all Chapters, Ft. Pierre Pizza Ranch. Tentatively, planning a ride to Onida to remember Steve Stier, following the dinner & meeting. Lodging on your own.
Friday, June 5 – Open with “Benediction of the Bikes” at 9:30 a.m. at Pierre Capitol Lake. Depart Pierre; finish day in Aberdeen.
Saturday, June 6 – Begin day in Groton at 9:30 a.m. Stop in Huron at approximately 12:30 at Post 7 Legion Hall, Third Street SW. Continue drive to finish day in Madison.
Sunday, June 7 – Depart Madison at 9 a.m. Finish day in Gregory.
Monday, June 8 – Breakfast and program at 9:30 a.m. in Winner. Finish day back in Pierre.
For more information, contact Fred Nelson, 605-641-7959 ,or Micheline Nelson, 605-645-1346.
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