Revision Date: 5/31/2023 NOTE: Text highlighted in RED are Links.
NATIONAL VFW RIDERS STATEMENT OF POLICY
UPCOMING EVENTS:
VFW District 4 Riders Support Services:
On Wednesday, June 7, a new support opportunity for veterans, first responders, and their immediate families was launched at Post 9885, "BOVA.” There were multiple veterans representing different eras, law enforcement officers, and EMS in attendance. All that participated considered it a huge success.
The military branches have a history of friendly rivalry. First responders have the same. We mock and make fun of each other, but when the time comes to stand up, we are "one”! Both military and first responders have dealt with, or are currently dealing with, scenarios that would shake most of the general population to their core. Our families also often feel and deal with our struggles in various ways.
We are natural protectors. This is one reason why we all answered the call to "SERVE.” Our protective nature sometimes makes it hard for us to share with others as we do not wish to cause them harm. Chaplain Rodney Gasaway offers a great example; when a firefighter came to a Bible study, one of the first things we did was to ask each other for prayers or lift up blessings based on what we had experienced that day. The firefighter had a very tough day involving a child abuse case. He shared a small part of his experience that day with the study group. After that night, he never returned, and some of the group required secondary trauma therapy over the next three weeks. The firefighter could tell what he shared with the group caused them trauma. Where is he supposed to go to lighten his burdens? Right here is a good start. All VFW members are welcome.
Wind Down Wednesdays:
VFW Post 9885 "BOVA”, 6440 N. Hix Road, Westland MI. 48185
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 6:30 pm in the outdoor pavilion. Child Care is provided by Post 9885 Auxiliary.
This time offers you the opportunity to listen, share, pray, and offer support to one another. It does not matter the reason you need to talk with someone. Chances are others here will have dealt with something similar to whatever is on your mind. What is said in this group stays in this group! We are not directly affiliated and do not report to any insurance, military, law enforcement, fire, or emergency response agencies. We are not a therapy group. This is just a group of volunteer veterans, first responders, and immediate family members coming together to support one another. We hope to see you there.
Rev. Rodney Gasaway
Chaplain
District 4 VFW Riders
Chelsea Area Fire Authority
Ride to the Canadian North Wall
District 4 Riders are riding to the Canadian Vietnam North Wall for a memorial on Sunday, July 9, 2023. See the link below for the details.
PGR Honor Ride
District 4 Riders are riding to support a Patriot Riders memorial on Saturday, July 14, 2023. See the link for the details.
Michigan Bikers Helping Veterans Ride:
2023 Heroes Ride - JUL 19 AT 12 PM – JUL 23 AT 3 PM
Get ready for the 16th Annual Michigan Bikers Helping Veterans Heroes Ride! It's going to be a fantastic ride for a good cause. We'll gather at a location and time that's yet to be determined and travel to the Comfort Inn in Mount Pleasant, MI, on Wednesday, July 19th, for a "Meet and Greet" event. See the Ride link for details.
VFW Riders Day at the National Home
The District 4 Riders Group supports the VFW Riders Day at the National Home. See the link for the event Flyer.
District 4 Riders Woodmere Cemetery Sam Bernstein Donation Event
The Sam Bernstein law firm recognizes non-profit organizations that positively impact communities across Michigan. We are thrilled to have been selected as the August winner.
Our group will soon gather at Woodmere Cemetery to participate in a video shoot where we will clear headstones. They will also interview our members and present us with a $1000.00 check. Our group has already cleared hundreds of headstones at this Cemetery over the past couple of years, which was a critical factor in our selection.
District 4 Riders Stuffed Animal Donation Program
The "Stuffed Animal Police Donation Program" by VFW District's 4 Riders Group is now back in action after being put on hold during the Covid19 crisis. The program requires members to bring stuffed animals to meetings and events, which are then donated to the Downriver Police Department and the State Police. These departments run programs for underprivileged children and distribute stuffed animals to provide comfort during stressful times. The Group donated hundreds of stuffed animals to the Detroit Police Department last year. Feel free to contribute to the Riders Group with a stuffed animal.
District 4 members, we kindly request your support in donating a stuffed animal to the District 4 Riders "Stuffed Animal Program."To make the process more convenient, please follow these steps:
1. Keep the stuffed animal at your local Post.
2. Email the Riders at vfwd4ridersmi@gmail.com, including your Post number.
3. A Rider will then come to your Post to pick up your gift.
Thank you for your contribution! Your generosity will make a difference in the lives of children who benefit from the program.
Lambertville VFW Post 9/11 Memorial Poker Run
Bill Schaffer is leading a ride to the Lambertville VFW Post to participate in their Riders 9/11 Memorial Poker Run. If you want to join him, view ride documentation by clicking the link below.
District 4 Fall Color Ride - Sunday, September 24, 2023
Bill Schaffer is holding a Fall Color Ride to Cement City for lunch. Staging for the ride is at our home Post. Click on the link below for the ride details.
Post 78 American Flag Retirement Ceremony - Sunday, October 1, 2023
District 4 Riders will join Romulus Post 78 on October 1st, 2023, at noon for
a small service at the post and then follow to Michigan
Memorial Cemetery for a short service and refreshments
afterward. Please see the flyer on the Riders Blog.
Select events to bring up the posting.
Building Homes for Heroes
Building Homes for Heroes and Pulte Homes are donating a new mortgage-free home to a local disabled veteran, Master Sergeant Obey, on Thursday, October 5, 2023, in Dexter, Michigan. The ceremony will take place at the new home, and Chelsea Fire Chaplain and VFW District 4 Rider Chaplain Rodney Gasaway will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplain Gasaway requests that all available VFW Riders join him for the celebration. Rolling Thunder and the Patriot Guard Riders will also be present and taking part in the procession.
Master Sergeant Obey served in the Air Force and deployed to Qatar and Uzbekistan. He flew as an Aircrew Loadmaster and was responsible for transporting troops and supplies to combat areas. During his service, Master Sergeant Obey took part in over 20 combat missions in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Africa. Unfortunately, he was medically discharged after 18 years of service. The procession will meet at the Pilot Travel Center on Baker Rd, located just on the south side of I-94, across from the TA Travel Center. (Note: another Pilot is on the north side of I-94). The meeting will occur at 9:15 a.m., where everyone will be briefed on the procession. We will leave at approximately 9:45 to 9:50 to head to the house. A police and fire escort will be present during the process.
Detroit Veterans Day Parade
Join the D4 Riders Group as we attend the Detroit Veterans Day Parade on November 5, 2023. Show your support for our brave veterans and be a part of this unforgettable experience. Don't miss out on this opportunity to ride with us and celebrate our heroes. Click on the link below to get the details of our run.
District 4 Riders Group Newsletter
The District 4 Riders Group is committed to supporting VFW community activities, as well as District 4 Post activities. We also publish a monthly newsletter to keep members updated on our projects and share news. To view the Newsletter, click on the Link below.
D4 Riders Stocking 4 Soldiers Event:
Please save the date - Friday, November 24, 2023 - as our Riders Group is organizing an event to support the non-profit organization "Stockings 4 Soldiers." The event is called "Calling All Santa's Helpers Stockings 4 Soldiers" and will be held on Friday, November 24, starting at 10 a.m. The main aim of the organization is to provide assistance to Veterans and Active-Duty Military members during the festive season by bringing a piece of home to them. Currently, they are assisting facilities in Michigan and Northwest Ohio. To make the holiday season special for these brave soldiers, a stocking-filling project is planned for the day after Thanksgiving, and our Riders Group will be supporting this project. You can click on the link below to view the agenda and staging area for the "Stocking for Soldiers" event.
VFW Day of Service:
The VFW Riders Group will organize a Day of Service event on May 11, 2024, to clean old headstones belonging to Veterans at the Detroit Woodmere Cemetery. The Flat Rock Post and the Flat Rock Post Auxiliary members will join the Riders for this event. It's worth noting that some Veterans laid to rest at Woodmere Cemetery are from the Civil War era and were initially buried at Detroit's Fort Wayne. The event staging and KSU details can be found on our Riders Blog.
Lambertville Riders Group Blessing of the Bikes:
Our Riders Group is organizing a group ride to attend the Blessing of the Bikes event at the Lambertville Post 9656. The event is scheduled for April 6, 2024, and we plan to stage at the Flat Rock Post at 10:45 am. The kickstands will be up at 11:00 am sharp. The Blessing is scheduled to start at noon, and the donation fee for the event is $10.00.
WWII Veteran Escort Ride and Ceremony:
The VFW District 4 Riders Group will participate in a memorial service for James A. Brosko, a WWII Veteran, on April 22, 2024. Mr. Brosko served in World War II and was among the soldiers who landed on Normandy Beach on D-Day. He survived to fight in Europe and Africa before returning home after 2.5 years of service. A military ceremony will be conducted by a VFW Post at St. Hedwig Cemetery Mausoleum, where Mr. Brosko's remains will be placed. The Patriot Guard Riders will stand a flag line during the ceremony. The Riders Group will meet at noon at the Turowski Funeral Home at 25509 Warren St, Dearborn Heights, MI. They will accompany the automobile transporting Mr. Brosko's remains to the cemetery as an escort.
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.
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.
If your Post and or District would like more information about how to form a VFW Riders group, please contact me.
Charlie Cline
Director, VFW Riders
Dept of Michigan
Veterans of Foreign Wars
MICHIGAN ESTABLISHED VFW RIDER GROUPS:
Click the web links below to learn more about these established VFW Rider Groups.
1.District 4 - VFW Riders - Estahttp://v.vfwmid4riders.org/ - Established - October 12, 2017
2.Grand Ledge VFW Post 3293 - VFW Riders - Established - May 29, 2019
3.Edwardsburg VFW Post 2284 - VFW Riders - Established - June 2019
4.Roscommon VFW Post 4159 - VFW Riders - Established - March 10, 2020
5.Mt Pleasant VFW Post 3033 - VFW Riders - Established - February 2021
6.Harrison - Post 1075
7.Fowlerville - Post 6464
If your VFW Rider Group is not listed?
Please email me so I can add you to the list!
Michigan Department VFW Riders Forms:
Charlie Cline
Director, VFW Riders
Dept of Michigan
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Editor: Gary DeMars - District 4 Riders Webmaster
gary@demars.me
