American Legion Riders - Black Hills Chapter

10/15/2026

Ready for an evening of great chili and community spirit at the 26th Annual Beans & Brews Community Chili Contest! 🌶️
This is one of our favorite community events, raising funds to support adults with disabilities who call the Northern Hills Training Center home. We’re proud to be part of an evening filled with good food, friendship, and a shared commitment to making a difference.
Helping, serving, and giving back to our community! ❤️ ; ; ; ;

10/13/2026

Our monthly visits at Spearfish Canyon Healthcare are about sharing stories and making connections. Sometimes the conversation turns to Korea or Vietnam. Other times, it’s about ranching, a visit from a son, pictures of grandchildren, or a familiar song that once played in the barracks. Sometimes, someone asks, “Would you do it all again?”
Each visit is an opportunity to bring a smile, a glimpse of hope, and a reminder that our veterans are remembered and valued.
Even in the quiet moments, there is connection: a twinkle in the eyes, a name remembered, the joy of seeing a familiar face again.

Sometimes, simply being there says more than words ever could. ❤️🇺🇸 ; ; ; ;

10/09/2026

Save the Date! Our second annual 2.2-Mile Walk for Heroes is set!
This year, we are making the event even more meaningful. We will gather at the BHSU Lyle Young Track & Field, where participants will have an opportunity to prepare and decorate luminaries in memory of family members, friends, comrades, and others who died by su***de or who have struggled with su***de.

Everyone is welcome to come, remember a loved one or someone they knew, and help shine a light on su***de awareness and prevention.
Veterans, active-duty military, students, families, and community members are invited to join us for this special Walk of Remembrance and Awareness.

📅 Sunday, October 18, 2026
📍 BHSU Lyle Young Track & Field, Spearfish
🕓 4:00 PM – Registration & Luminary Decorating
🕟 4:30 PM – Opening Ceremony & 2.2-Mile Walk/Run

Honor. Support. Prevent. Be The One ; ;

09/27/2026

🐝 Swarm Day Parade! 🐝

So glad we could participate in today’s Swarm Day Parade! It was a perfect day for a ride and a great opportunity to represent the American Legion Family and our American Legion Riders.

It was a busy day for our Chapter, with fellow Riders also participating in the South Dakota American Legion Golf Tournament and the District Two Fall Meeting.

Different events, different locations, but all supporting the same mission of service, fellowship, and community! 🇺🇸

Proud to be part of it! 🇺🇸🏍️🐝

09/18/2026

Today, at the Spearfish Creekside Elementary School, 22 students grades 3-5, from the Student Council took an active part in a very special ceremony to remember our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action. They also learned about the POW/MIA flag and the meaning of “You Are Not Forgotten.” Those words are a promise.
During the ceremony, they placed different objects and symbols that have a specific meaning to set up The Missing Man Table. They might not remember all of them but were encouraged to remember that “Freedom has a cost. Real people have made the sacrifices to protect it, and remembering them is one way to say thank you.”
They are now the ambassadors to share with their classmates what they learned and help others understand the meaning of “The Missing Man Table” that will be sitting in the lunchroom for the day.

09/16/2026

Today, we gathered at the Fort Meade VA Long-Term Care facility to remember the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, a day that forever changed our nation.
We were especially honored to spend the afternoon with 17 veterans. Those who joined our American Legion Riders were thanked for their service and for helping protect the freedoms and values that were attacked on September 11. These veterans understand better than most the meaning of duty, sacrifice, courage, and love of country.

Before Mike Turner, Assistant Director and musician, shared a meaningful selection of 9/11 songs, VA Chaplain Justin opened our gathering with a heartfelt invocation.
The second half of the afternoon took on a lighter spirit, with Mike playing so many great songs for everyone to enjoy. The veterans shared plenty of smiles, conversation, music, and a variety of snacks throughout the afternoon.

It was a special opportunity to remember September 11 together, honor those we lost, recognize those who answered the call to serve, and spend time with veterans who have given so much to our nation.
Twenty-five years later, we remember. We honor. We will never forget. 🇺🇸

09/12/2026

The Black Hills Chapter 164 was honored to help set up, usher attendees, and distribute programs before the community Patriot Day remembrance program. On this Patriot Day, the ceremony began at 8:46 a.m., a symbolic local observance marking the moment the first plane struck the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001.

Twenty-five years later, our community gathered to remember the lives taken, honor those who answered the call, recognize the families who carried the weight of loss and service, and renew the spirit of unity that brought Americans together.

September 11 is remembered not only for what was taken from our nation, but also for the courage, compassion, duty, and sacrifice revealed that day and in the years that followed.

Four wreaths were placed as a united tribute, each recognizing a distinguished community of service. Together, they remind us that no one answered the call alone.

As we remembered and honored Fire, Emergency Medical Services, Veterans, and Law Enforcement, Chaplain Patrick Lewellen tolled the bell twenty times, in four groups of five, one group for each community of service.

Twenty-five years later, we remember. We honor. We remain grateful.

We will never forget! 🇺🇸

09/10/2026

The Foot of the Mountain American Legion Riders Chapter #311 requested support for this important mission, and the Black Hills Chapter #164 was honored to answer the call.

Our Riders joined Chapter #311 and Riders from Sturgis Chapter #33 in honoring Vietnam Veteran U.S. Army First Cavalry Jerry Lee Thompson. Together, we assisted with his dignified es**rt to the Black Hills National Cemetery and stood in the Flag Line as he was laid to rest with the honor and respect he earned through his service to our nation.
Rest in peace, Jerry Lee Thompson. 🇺🇸

09/09/2026

09/09/2026

Today, our American Legion Riders Chapter #164 enjoyed another great social with the veterans at Spearfish Canyon Healthcare & Nursing Home!

Each month, the staff provides different treats while we spend time visiting with our fellow veterans. These gatherings are about much more than refreshments. They’re about conversation, listening, sharing stories, and simply enjoying each other’s company.

Our veterans look forward to these visits and the camaraderie they bring, and so do we. It’s always time well spent with some great people!

🇺🇸 Veterans supporting veterans. 🇺🇸