Mayor declares Nation of Patriots Day

Published 10:26 pm Tuesday, May 16, 2017

: Albert Lea Mayor Vern Rasmussen Jr. presents the Albert Lea Harley Owners Group with the proclamation of Nation of Patriots Day at the Albert Lea City Council meeting last week. Receiving the proclamation were Bill and Lynn Koza and Mark Harig, Nation of Patriots volunteers.The Nation of Patriots is a nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to provide financial support to combat-wounded veterans and their families who have volunteered their lives in the preservation, protection and future of the United States and its citizens. An American flag flown in combat will be escorted on a motorcycle through 48 states for 100 days, over 14,000 miles. The 2017 Patriots tour begins May 27 and returns Sept. 9 to Madison, Wisconsin. More than 150,000 riders participate in the event. Albert Lea HOG Chapter is one of the stops to receive and deliver the flag. This will be its eighth year of participation with the Patriots tour.The flag will arrive May 31 from the Mason City HOG chapter at 5 p.m. at Bergdale Harley Davidson. After a formal presentation and passing of the flag, it will be displayed at Bergdale. At 2 p.m. June 1, the Albert Lea volunteers will escort the flag to Crow River Harley Davidson in Delano. Both events are open to the public. People are encouraged to ride to honor the American flag and veterans. - Provided