2024/2025 MISSION
"The Department of Michigan VFW Riders Groups are dedicated to forging a path of camaraderie, service, and honor. Our mission this year is to unite as a cohesive force, passionately supporting the objectives of the VFW National and the Department of Michigan. Through our shared commitment to community engagement, patriotic endeavors, and unwavering support, we aspire to be a driving force for positive change. As riders, we navigate the road ahead with a spirit of unity, resilience, and a profound dedication to upholding the values that define the VFW."
GOALS:
- Develop and maintain a strong, active membership.
- Promote the values of the VFW.
- Promote vibrant service to our nation's veterans through VFW programs.
- Promote a positive public image of the VFW and motorcyclists.
- Promote the value of community service.
- Promote and encourage motorcycle safety programs and awareness.
- Develop an active and diversified list of activities designed to encourage maximum member participation and enjoyment of the VFW and the VFW Riders and in support of VFW Service Programs.
Pack Run Standard Procedure Video
Officers:
| Name | Office | Post Number |
| John Welchman | President | 6896 |
| Bill Schaffer | Vice President |
9363 |
| Gary DeMars | Treasure | 9885 |
| Dennis Bowdler | Sgt-at-Arms | 9363 |
| Rodney Gasaway | Chaplain |
6896 |
District 4 Riders Contact Information:
| Catogory | Address |
| vfwd4ridersmi@gmail.com | |
| Facebook Group | https://www.facebook.com/groups/1436398113820890 |
| Riders Blog | https://v.vfwmid4riders.org/ |
District 4 Riders Newsletters:
District 4 Riders Activities:
Woodmere Cemetery Veterans Grave Cleaning:
Woodmere cemetery veterans grave cleaning was done August 2 by members of our Riders Group.
Representatives from the Sam Bernstein law office provided Bill Schaffer a $1,000 award donation for our community service.
Independence Village of Plymouth:
Our VFW District 4 Riders Group is invited to attend a cookout at the Independence Village of Plymouth Senior Living facility. Independence Village has a group of Veterans who want us to meet and socialize. This is an excellent opportunity for us to show our support for the veteran community in our District, and we hope that many of our Rider members will attend. Please put this event on our calendar. May 25, 2024
Cookout Agenda LinkFlat Rock Memorial Day Parade:
Our VFW Riders Group accepted an invitation to ride in the Flat Rock Memorial Day Parade. The parade is scheduled for Monday, May 27, 2024, with staging at the Flat Rock American Legion Post at 9:30 am with a KSU at 10:00 am. The American Legion Post will serve coffee and donuts.
Memorial Day Parade Agenda LinkRiders/MMA Pig Smoke and Ride:
Our Riders Group is organizing a Rider/Driver Dice Run & Pig Smoke event in partnership with Flat Rock Post and Michigan Masonic Motorcycle Association Chapter 3. Please refer to the provided flier link for details. We are seeking volunteers from our Group to assist with this Ride and Dinner event. The proceeds from the Ride and Dinner will be shared among the Flat Rock Post, Flat Rock Post Auxiliary, and our District 4 Riders Group. The Ride is scheduled for June 1, 2024.
Day of Service Project:
On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, a group of District 4 Riders, along with members from the VFW Flat Rock Post and their Auxiliary, cleaned Veterans' gravestones at Woodmere Cemetery in Detroit. This work was our VFW Day of Service project. Woodmere Cemetery had a large number of Veterans' graves. Our team cleaned many of the gravestones covered with moss and then trimmed the grass at the base of the gravestone. We made good progress, but a lot of additional work is needed in that area.
Woodmere Cemetery Veterans Memorial:
Our District 4 Riders Group is honored to announce our participation in a special Veterans Memorial Ceremony at the historic Woodmere Cemetery in Detroit. The solemn ceremony is scheduled to commence at 11 am on Sunday, May 26, 2024. We invite everyone to join us in paying tribute to the brave men and women who have served our country.
Northville Brookdale Flag Day Ceremony:
The American Legion 1st District Visiting team has scheduled a Flag Day Ceremony for the Veterans and residents of Northville Brookdale Assisted Living Facility. During the ceremony, the distinguished Post 32 Honor Guard will conduct proceedings to raise a new flag. We invite the Post 32 Riders, other Post members, and VFW to attend.
Southgate Post American Flag Retirement Ceremony:
The Southgate Post 9283 is organizing an American Flag Retirement ceremony scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 23, 2024. The District 4 Riders Group has received a special invitation to participate in this meaningful event by serving as a motorcycle escort. The staging for the escort will start at the Southgate Post at 11:30 AM. For additional information regarding the event, please click on the link provided.
Michigan Heroes Museum Ride and Lunch:
Our Riders Group organized a day trip to the Michigan Heroes Museum in Frankenmuth, Michigan, on Saturday, July 20, 2024. The trip will take around two hours, starting from a staging location at Speedway on Seven Mile and Newburgh Road in Livonia. We plan to stage at 08:30 am and KSU at 9:00 am, visit the museum, and then have a late lunch.
District 4 Picnic:
District 4 is holding a Membership Picnic at the Southgate Post on Saturday, August 10, 2024. The event starts at 12 noon. For more information, click on the link below.
Hamburg Vietnam Walls of Honor:
Our Riders Group will participate in the Hamburg Vietnam Walls of Honor escort ride. "The Moving Wall" is a half-size replica of the Washington, DC Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and it has been touring the country for over thirty years. We will join motorcycle riders to escort the Wall to a park in Hamburg, Michigan. The staging location will be at our home, Post Romanowski, at 7:45 am on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 5312 S. Beech Daly, Dearborn Heights.
Lambertville Riders Group 9/11 Poker Run:
Our Riders Group, a vital part of our organization, will be participating in the Lambertville Riders Group Poker Run. This event, scheduled for Saturday, September 14, 2024, is a significant opportunity for us to showcase our unity and commitment. We will be staging at the Flat Rock Post at 0915 with a KSU at 0930. Your participation is highly valued and we look forward to a successful run.
Medal of Honor Escort Ride:
The District 4 Riders Group will participate in an escort ride for a Medal of Honor Veteran (MOH). Cpl. Thomas Powers is a Veteran of the 1st U.S. Cavalry Indian Campaigns and is being moved to the Great Lakes National Ceremony. The burial of Medal of Honor veteran Cpl Thomas Powers at Great Lakes National Cemetery will be on 10/15 at 12:30. The body will travel from Nelson Funeral Home in Owosso to Great Lakes National Cemetery with an escort of Michigan State Police and possibly a few Sheriff Departments and Patriot Guard Riders along with the escort. The Riders Group would like to show solidarity and unity between the Michigan Riders Groups and to show our respects to an MOH recipient. Line-up will be at 11 am sharp at the Funeral Home at 120 East Mason Street, Owasso, MI 48867.
Detroit Veterans Day Parade:
Our Riders Group will participate in the Detroit Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, November 10, 2024. A Group ride is set for staging at the Romanowski Post at 8/30 am and KSU at 9:15.
Midland Riders Breakfast Fundraiser:
Our Riders Group is excited to announce our support for the Midland Riders Breakfast fundraising event taking place on November 9, 2024. We invite all members to join us as we gather to enjoy a delicious breakfast and contribute to a worthwhile cause.
We will meet at the Midland Post 3651, which is located at 3013 Bay City Rd. in Midland. Please arrive by 10:30 so we can start the event together and show our solidarity as a group. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow riders and make a positive impact in our community. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
All VFW and VFW Auxiliary members in good standing with any District 4 Post are eligible to join the District 4 VFW Riders.
We meet on the 1st Friday of every month. Please check "CALENDAR" under "NEWS & EVENTS" for location and times since we are moving the meeting around within the District.
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