SHEBOYGAN, Wis.— American Legion bikers are taking to the streets this weekend in Wisconsin on IROC’s Badger Run.
A group of over 50 bikers are gearing up for a 600-mile ride across the state. They plan to make stops at legion posts along the way. The goal is to raise money for a nationally known veteran landmark in Wisconsin.
To be in a motorcycle club, you have to have a few things: a cool bike, a nice leather vest, and one common goal. For the group of over 50 legion riders, the goal is to raise money for a cause close to their hearts.
“Were not just giving it to anybody. We are giving it to an organization who I believe started in 1983 or 4 and they have done many good things,” Legion Riders state president, Ray Pasbrig said.
The Legion Riders are taking to the streets to raise money for the Highgrounds, a veteran’s memorial park in Neilsville. The plan is to stop at legion posts along the way to raise funds to help build a new building on the grounds.
“I’m looking for a safe, successful ride,” District one Legion Rider president, Randy Timms said.
Timms is the District One Legion Rider president. He has been a part of planning this ride for about a year.
“It’s wonderful to get vets and friends of the vets together for vets and that’s really what it’s all about,” Timms said.
For Carl Lang, an Air Force veteran, it’s exciting to be riding with other vets for the weekend.
“It’s really overwhelming excitement," Carl Land said. "I am seeing people I haven’t seen in awhile, some that I haven’t seen ever. So I am going to make some new friends. The camaraderie and the bonding in something like this, this is a three day ride,” American Legion Riders district one treasurer."
Lang said the biggest accomplishment they are hoping to make is an impact on the high grounds with all of the money they collect this weekend.
“It feels real good because the folks at the High Ground in Neilsville who we are raising the money for, they work really hard and they don’t have any state funding or anything like that so its really donations from private, public or us, so it feels really good to help them,” Lang said.
For this group of over a dozen legion districts this weekend is a way to enjoy Wisconsin while riding with fellow veterans for a worthy cause.
