ABOVE: Trent and Donna Johnson ride in the Memorial Day parade in Fairmont on Monday. The two are starting up a Legion Riders group in the Fairmont area, with several informational meetings coming up.

FAIRMONT – While the American Legion Riders program has chapters across America, there has never been one in Fairmont until now.

American Legion Riders, according to Director Trent Johnson and Assistant Director Donna Johnson, is done to help the Legion and veterans in whatever way possible.

“We try to set up benefit rides and that stuff to help out,” Trent said. “There’s been a few around here; we’ve had ideas of an autism program.”

“We’re helping the DAV; we have a run end of August for that,” Donna added.

To be a rider, Trent said there are a few qualifications to meet, but those that don’t meet them can come out and help support.

“You have to have a current motorcycle endorsement and a motorcycle to be a rider,” he said. “You have to be a member of the Legion Auxiliary or the Sons of American Legion. We’re also having people that are considered support for the Legion. They don’t have to have the endorsement, but they want to just turn around and support, help us out with fundraisers, putting up posters, whatever. If we do a meal, help us with a meal.”

The Johnsons had thought about doing this for a few years, but recently things fell into place that make now the right time to launch this endeavor.

“It works a lot better, because I did work nights,” Trent said. “I’m recently retired, so now it works better with my schedule to be able to attend the meetings and organize things.”

“We can both do it together instead of him being at work and me having all of it,” Donna said. “He can run it as the veteran and as the leader of the process.”

They then went to the American Legion Post 36 with their idea, and to get their approval.

“We just asked if there was any interest or support from them if they wanted us to start one, and they resoundingly said absolutely, whatever you need,” Donna said.

As a mark of support, Trent said the American Legion Post 36 in Fairmont will pay the Fairmont Legion dues of anyone who becomes a rider.

This is not just for Fairmont either; the Johnsons said Legion members from any nearby posts that do not already have a Riders chapter can be part of the Legion Riders with no concerns about transferring posts.

“Any of the surrounding areas can join our riders to be able to be part of that group, but then they have their own legions separate,” Donna said.

To get to where they are now, Donna said it took a lot.

“Lots of conversations,” she said. “Lots of ‘Do people want this? Do people want to support it? What do we want to do? What don’t we want to do?’ We don’t want to be seen as a motorcycle club. That is not what we’re about. We are not about drinking. We are not about being dumb on the bikes. It is supporting our veterans; that’s the point.”

“She took a lot of her free time and went around different towns in the county, outside of the county, and that’s putting up flyers for the riders,” Trent said. “She’s got great support.”

As the ball gets rolling, the Johnsons are looking to take the foundation they’ve started with and grow.

“We’re going to run it, but it’s going to be an open platform type,” Trent said. “If anybody’s got a suggestion, anybody’s got an idea of something that they would want to pursue, as far as a benefit, somebody needs support for a funeral or something like that, we’re open to suggestions. We’ll help out however we can.”

“Just being there for the community and the members and their families,” Donna said.

Informational meetings on the Legion Riders will be held at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 31 and Sunday, June 21 at the American Legion Post 36, 300 Downtown Plaza. For more information, reach out to Trent Johnson at 507-848-8852 or trentjohnsalr@outlook.com, or to Donna Johnson at dljohnsondav@gmail.com.