This article was contributed by American Legion Riders Chapter 69.
Sixteen riders from Hollister’s own American Legion Riders Chapter 69 rode to San Luis Obispo on June 23 to visit the famous World War II Blackhawk Division memorial. The 86th Infantry Division was recognized as a liberating unit by the US Army’s Center of Military History and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1996. The Division was redeployed to the Pacific to prepare for the invasion of Japan following the surrender of Germany in May 1945.
Camp San Luis Obispo also acted as a POW camp for German and Italian prisoners captured by the allies.
Any veteran or family member of a veteran is eligible to join the American Legion or one of its member organizations including the Sons of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Legion Riders.
The Legion Riders meet every first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. the Veterans Memorial Building at 649 San Benito Street in Hollister.