Motorcycles may outnumber other vehicles in Clanton when the American Legion Riders of Alabama holds its state meeting at Renee Smith & Associates on Sept. 17 at 2 p.m.

All motorcycle enthusiasts who are members of the American Legion, the Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion are invited to attend this free event.

“If they don’t own a motorcycle, they can apply to become an honorary member,” said Barbara McAnally, state membership officer and treasurer of the American Legion Riders of Alabama. “All veterans are welcome.”

McAnally said the state meetings, which occur every three months, are held at different locations throughout the year and provide opportunities for veterans of the Vietnam and Korean wars to meet each other.

“We have riders coming from all four points of the state,” McAnally said. “I’m trying to keep it here in the central part of the state. It’s kind of easier for everybody to come to us.”

Renee Smith & Associates is located at 950 Lumac Road in Clanton.

The American Legion Riders’ Thank-a-Vet Ride will take place Saturday, Sept. 10, in Birmingham.

Riders will start at About Bikes at 10:30 a.m., visit different Legion posts and end at Post 171 in East Lake between 11:30 and 12:30 p.m. They will then proceed to the Veterans Affairs Hospital in downtown Birmingham to meet and thank a veteran.

“The nurses bring them down to the lobby, and we thank them for their service,” McAnally said. “If anyone wants to go to the VA Hospital in Birmingham, we will end up there at about 1 p.m.”

Those who wish to ride in Thank-a-Vet must register and pay a fee, and it is “ride at your own risk,” McAnally said.

The Seventh Annual 9/11 Commemorative Ride sponsored by the American Legion Riders will take place on Sunday, Sept. 11. Registration is from 9-10:30 a.m. at Post 347 in Fairfield, with stops at Post 107, Post 171, Post 113 and Post 137.

“9/11 is really important to the American Legion, especially the Legion Riders,” McAnally said. “We also have the Legacy Scholarship Run to collect money to donate to the Legacy Scholarship Fund, which is for children of deceased soldiers since 9/11.”

The American Legion Riders of Alabama raised more than $600,000 last year for the scholarship fund.

American Legion Day and POW-MIA Recognition Day are both Friday, Sept. 16, McAnally said.

POW-MIA Recognition Day honors anyone who was a Prisoner of War or Missing in Action while serving in the U.S. military during a war.

For more information about the American Legion Riders of Alabama, call Barbara McAnally at (205) 755-7101.