A flag is passed

• Flag

Echo Press photo by Al Edenloff While transferring an American flag at Apol’s Harley Davidson in Alexandria, Frank Hebert with the West Fargo Harley Owners Group (HOG) recited a pledge to Craig Erickson, director of the Alexandria HOG chapter, about his duties as the temporary keeper of the flag.

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As a tribute to America’s Armed Forces – past, present and fallen – a flag was passed at Apol’s Harley Davidson in Alexandria Friday.

Eighteen motorcycle drivers supporting “The Nation of Patriots Tour” brought an American flag to Apol’s. Their leg of the tour started in Fargo.

The flag, along with a banner signed by other Harley dealership locations around the country, was proudly displayed at the business before the Alexandria chapter of Harley Owners Group (HOG) delivered the flag to its next stop – the Donahue Harley Davidson in St. Cloud.

The Nation of Patriots was formed to provide financial support to the families of wounded soldiers.

The flag, which was flown in Iraq and Afghanistan, is being passed through 48 states in 100 days as part of the 2010 Patriot Tour. That’s nearly 1,400 miles.

It’s now in the Midwest and is making its way back to Wisconsin where the idea for the event started.

The goal is to raise $100,000.

Although the tour was established by a Harley owner and supported by Harley Davidson groups throughout the country, it’s not related to the actual company.

The tour was designed and launched to “unite Americans around the country behind the brave men and women that have fought, serve today, and will forever defend our nation,” according to the website, www.nationofpatriots.org.

The idea began in a small bar in a small town in Wisconsin (Oconomowoc) on a cold night in December. A small group of people formed the organization under the idea that people should honor all of service men and women, especially those wounded in their servitude.

More than 100,000 motorcyclists from throughout the country are supporting the effort.

The Nation of Patriots is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization.

Tags: local news, news, apols, motorcycles, alexandria, harley, flag