Riders proudly display patriotism

by Mary Le Arneal
published 11/11/09

When Bob Cerny made his final trip past his shop with the shiny wreckers out front, he was escorted by motorcycles displaying the flag of the country he had served.

“Bob was real proud of his military service,” his wife Rita Cerny said. “(The escort) was so impressive, words can’t explain it.”

The special escort was made up of American Legion Riders, a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who belong to American Legion Posts and wear their pride and love for their country on their leather vest.

Rollie and Mary Ann Otte of Morse Bluff started an American Legion Riders unit in Columbus. They belong to the Morse Bluff American Legion Post 340, but started the group in Columbus as it was more centrally located. Mary Ann is currently serving as director (president) at their meetings the fourth Monday each month.

The Riders are not a very old organization, formed in 1993 in Michigan as the outgrowth of an idea to organize veterans who were motorcycle enthusiast. In 2006 the Riders became a national program of the American Legion. In the 13 years since the initial idea, the Riders have grown to more than 700 groups in 48 states and three foreign countries. There are currently 15 chapters in Nebraska with approximately 500 members.

Membership in the Riders is open to members of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion. The only other requirement is that they have a motorcycle of 350cc engine displacement or greater.

Doug Wamberg joined the American Legion Riders in Omaha two years ago at the invitation of high school friend Bob Swanson.

Swanson said that the Riders are not a motorcycle club, but an association of members whose goal is to further the purposes of the American Legion in honoring veterans, their families and those currently serving in the military.

Otte said there are rules and regulations that have to be followed to protect the integrity of the American Legion.

Participating in funeral processions is one way the Riders honor veterans. The family has to request that the Riders’ participation.

Funeral escort is just one of the activities of the group. Rollie Otte was featured in the November issue of the American Legion magazine for his 800-mile ride on his motorcycle to join up with a group of Riders making the 1,200-mile trip to the American Legion national convention in Louisville, Ky. The Riders were going on a trek called the Legacy Run. It was their national charity fund raiser for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship fund that provides college money for the children of service members who have died on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001. The run generated more than $550,000.

“Our children are the ones who are going to take care of our country in the future,” Otte said. “ We need to take care of them.”

Other local men who have joined the Columbus chapter are Jerry Kruger, Rod Scott and Rob Goudy.

Kruger said he hasn’t had a motorcycle that long, but joined the Riders because he felt it was a way to give the veterans the respect that they deserve.

Thought the Riders may sport leather and ride motorcycles, they are not a gang.

“It’s a square guy type of thing,” Otte said. “We want to do right for America.”

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