By Robin Widmar
A group of leather-clad motorcyclists cruising down the highway can inspire everything from curiosity to a sense of intimidation. But if American flags adorn the motorcycles and eagles are embroidered on the riders’ vests, those bikers could be American Legion Riders on a poker run raising money for a good cause or simply out enjoying the open road.
Who are the American Legion Riders?
The American Legion Riders are a subgroup of the American Legion, whose members are military veterans and those still serving in the U.S. military. The Legion has other subgroups, including the American Legion Auxiliary, Junior Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion. More information about those organizations is available at legionpost2008.com. Any member of the Legion or its subgroups who rides a motorcycle is eligible to join the American Legion Riders.
“The American Legion Riders are probably the most visual family of the American Legion, as they are out in the community riding as a group and it is hard to miss their motorcycles and vest that they wear when they ride,” wrote Brett Smith, president of American Legion Dane R. Balcon Post 2008 in Falcon in an email to the NFH.
Like the American Legion, the Riders are part social club, part service organization and part support network for veterans. Scott Peterson, vice president of the American Legion Riders Dane R. Balcon Post 2008 in Falcon, said the group offers camaraderie as well as opportunities to serve others.
Like the American Legion, the Riders are part social club, part service organization and part support network for veterans. Scott Peterson, vice president of the American Legion Riders Dane R. Balcon Post 2008 in Falcon, said the group offers camaraderie as well as opportunities to serve others.
“We take the opportunity to do good for others — helping one another, helping vets who are struggling and helping other organizations in the community,” Peterson said.
Peterson and his wife, who is also a veteran, became members of the American Legion after riding to Cripple Creek for an annual motorcycle rally for veterans. At a gas station, an American Legion Rider noticed the flag on their motorcycle, asked if they were veterans and gave them information about getting involved.
“That’s really how a lot of us get in,” Peterson said. “It’s word of mouth and public events. Whenever you can do good work and have fun doing it at the same time, that’s kind of an attractive thing.”
The American Legion Riders are probably the most visual family of the American Legion, as they are out in the community riding as a group and it is hard to miss their motorcycles and vest that they wear when they ride.
Helping veterans
One of the most important things the American Legion does is help veterans with benefit claims. “A lot of vets don’t realize there are benefits available to them,” Peterson said. “We want veterans to get the benefits that they deserve by law.”
The Legion Post 2008 has veteran service officers available to assist with service claims. They also coordinate with a state VSO who can monitor disability claims and connect veterans with other resources. Anyone who knows a veteran in need can reach out to the American Legion. Peterson said that if the Legion cannot help, it will find someone who can.
The Legion and Legion Riders help veterans in other ways, too, such as hosting the 12th annual Falcon Freedom Poker Run in June. Peterson said all the money raised at that event benefited local and national veterans’ programs.
On Oct. 20, American Legion Riders Post 2008 and American Legion Dane R. Balcon Post 2008 will support the 2026 Homeless Veterans Stand Down at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs. This event brings together local organizations and volunteers to provide critical services and support for veterans experiencing homelessness.
“One of the great things that our American Legion Post Riders do is to show up at the home of a sick or injured veteran or family member and deliver a teddy bear that is wearing an American Legion Riders vest and present it to the person,” wrote Smith. “I know up close and personal how special it is when loud motorcycles show up to a home to make the presentation, as they did this for my wife when she was finally released from the hospital last year and was able to be home.”
American Legion Riders also support the Motorcycle Relief Project, which Peterson described as “kind of an off-road adventure bike program.” The project takes veterans on multiday off-road outings.
“They’ll have some fireside circles and talk and just try to get people to open up, because combat veterans tend to close off and get into a bad cycle of loneliness and depression — and drinking. We try to get them out as an alternative to that, to be outside and get some fresh air and camaraderie with others.”
Wind therapy
Motorcycling can be beneficial for mental health. Peterson calls it “wind therapy.”
“It actually has been studied and documented that riding motorcycles improves your mood and gets your mind out of a depressive mode,” he said.
According to a 2022 report from the University of Texas at Arlington, a study on veterans who participate in wind therapy found that riding motorcycles had familiar elements of military culture, provided stress relief and promoted mindfulness. Study participants cited benefits including a sense of freedom, social connectedness and spiritual engagement. While not a substitute for mental health treatment, this kind of activity can be therapeutic for veterans dealing with mental health challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or depression.
Peterson noted that veterans are lost to suicide every day. The 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report stated that an average of 17.5 veteran suicides per day occurred in the U.S. in 2023. It also showed that Colorado had the eighth-highest veteran suicide rate per 100,000 veterans in the U.S. that same year.
One life lost is “too many,” Peterson said, adding that the American Legion Riders can provide an outlet for veterans.
“We can do something as simple as introduce them to motorcycle riding, or dust off that motorcycle they have in the garage and get out and ride it.”
Supporting the community
“The Riders present a very positive, patriotic, and service oriented organization that supports veterans and the community as a whole,” Smith wrote.
American Legion Riders support more than motorcycle-related programs. Peterson said one such program is Sarah’s Home and its companion organization, Daniel’s Academy, which assist sex trafficking victims. The Riders also participate in various community events, such as Scout Troop 149’s Fourth of July pancake breakfast in Falcon.
On Monday, Sept. 7, American Legion Riders Post 2008 and American Legion Dane R. Balcon Post 2008 in Falcon will host the 10th annual Stock the Pantry Dice Run, with proceeds benefiting the Fresh Start Center. Nonperishable food donations will be accepted, and riders will receive a $5 discount on entry fees with the donation of a box of cereal. Peterson said cereal is a high-demand item at the Fresh Start Center’s no-cost grocery store.
The Riders present a very positive, patriotic, and service oriented organization that supports veterans and the community as a whole. An example of this is their Stock the Pantry Run on Labor Day where the goal is to fill the Fresh Start Pantry in Falcon.
Honoring Dane R. Balcon
Falcon’s American Legion Dane R. Balcon Post 2008 was named in honor of Army Specialist Dane R. Balcon, the first combat casualty from the Falcon community. He enlisted in the Army in 2007, deployed to Iraq and was killed in action on Sept. 5, 2007.
Members of American Legion Riders Post 2008 wear Balcon’s name on the backs of their vests, continuing to honor his service and sacrifice.
“That is very important,” Peterson said.
The American Legion Riders Dane R. Balcon Post 2008 supported Scout Troop 149 pancake breakfast on July 4.
