Welcome to Marine Riders Michiana

We are United States Marines that ride motorcycles!  We enjoy hanging out with other vets and our biker friends!  Sometimes Marines need to be around other Marines.  Civilians and most other services don't really get it, and that's fine. They haven't become a United States Marine, so how could they get it.  Marines are Marines forever - Semper Fi (if you don't know what that means, you aren't a Marine).  If you are a Marine that rides and you want to join us, send an email to donthemarine@yahoo.com or visit our FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/MarineRidersMichiana

Marine Riders Michiana is always willing to add more members.  But we do have some requirements and some rules.  

First, we need you to turn in a copy of your DD214 that confirms YES you are a United States Marine.  The type of discharge does matter.  If you got a Bad Conduct Discharge, there's no need to submit a request.  You will be denied.  If you have an "other than honorable" discharge and you want to join, this is a case-by-case situation - it just depends on what you did to get an "Other than honorable."  Honorable discharge is good.

Second, you have to have a motorcycle that can handle highway speeds, any manufacturer.

If you are interested in getting to know us better, and you qualify with everything listed above please feel free to reach out through the "contact page" - email donthemarine@yahoo.com

 Marine Riders Michiana (MRM) is a not-for-profit military riding club in the Michiana area. We participate in several events annually to support and raise awareness for other military and notfor-profit organizations. Since the forming of MRM, we have had a strong willingness and desire to help those in need. For years, we have brought food for a “Super Bowl Sunday Party,” and we also get all veterans from Millers homeless center to our clubhouse for Thanksgiving dinner. They take home all leftovers, and we generally send them home with weeks worth of food. MRM has dedicated to supporting Mishawka Troop Town (MTT) in every way possible, including funding. 

Mishawaka Troop Town is the first of its kind in our area. Mishawaka Troop Town’s goal is to provide temporary housing and services that will help local Veterans successfully transition from uncertain living situations, including homelessness, to permanent homes and self-sustaining lifestyles.. 

Some of the services provided by MTT to residents of Troop Town: Transitional housing for qualified veterans, Finance classes, Spiritual guidance, Physical and Metal assessments, Employment assistance, VA Benefits guidance, Educational guidance. 

MTT is building four (4) duplexes that will handle eight (8) tiny individual homes, one resident per home, and a Welcome Center/Caretaker building. In front of the Welcome Center will be the MTT Hone Garden, flying the flag of our country and each military branch. Pavement bricks are available for purchase to honor a fallen loved one, and large and Small paver bricks. 

It is estimated each unit will cost anywhere from $33,000 to $40,000 - the entire complex will cost $300,000 to $350,000 (overestimating to be safe). Then the ongoing cost to maintain MTT. 

We want to partner with the community and we ask for your support to raise money for MTT. We dedicated to raise $12,000 per year to support them. The donation can be a one-time cash donation, a pledge for a specific dollar amount monthly or yearly. You can even choose to sponsor a unit or an entire complex. The success of Mishawaka Troop Town relies on the financial support of our entire community. 

Marine Riders Michiana Federal Tax ID#46-2211329 / Indiana Sales Tax Exempt #0152555579 Make donations to: Marine Riders Michiana, Inc If mailing a check, please mail it to: Marine Riders Michiana 29410 County Rd 6, Elkhart, IN 46514

When local Marines get their orders to their final duty station, we'd like to escort them to the final resting place, or stand guard during viewing, or whatever the family wants.  We sometimes do the same for other branches as well.

For funerals and escorts please contact Pony at donthemarine@yahoo.com or his cell phone 574-514-4553

10 November 2023

A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS

             For 248 years, Marines have earned a reputation as the most disciplined and lethal warfighters in the world. This legacy of honor, courage, and commitment passed on to us was paid for in sweat, blood, and sacrifice. From Belleau Wood to Inchon and Tarawa to Sangin, Marines have stepped forward to defend our Constitution when others either could not or would not. Our history is filled with heroes like Chief Warrant Officer 4 Hershel "Woody" Williams, Private First Class Hector Cafferata Jr., Sergeant Major Dan Daly, and thousands of others who performed acts of bravery which went unseen in the heat of battle. We stand on the shoulders of these Marines, and we owe it to them to earn our title "Marine" each and every day.

             Marines have given, and have been willing to give, their lives for Country and Corps in every fight our Nation has entered. Our actions turned back the tide of tyranny in Europe during the Great War, defeated fascism in Asia during World War II, fought for democracy in Korea and Vietnam, and offered the hope of self-determination in the Middle East. We go to war whenever our Nation calls, and in the interwar periods we train, we prepare, and we innovate. We have chosen a life of service and sacrifice — an honorable life that has meaning. We sacrifice so our fellow citizens don't have to, and we seek nothing in return but a chance to be first to fight. Most will never understand why we choose to attack when others do not, why we revel in being covered in mud, why we snap to attention when "The Marines' Hymn" is played, or why we say, "Ooh Rah." We understand it, and this message is for us, for the Marines.

             As Marines, we live on a war footing because someone must. This means that we ruthlessly adhere to our standards of excellence — Marine standards — as we know this will best prepare us for the wars of the future. Our high standards are a prerequisite of professional warfighting, and how we keep our honor clean in the cauldron of combat. They prepare us for the most difficult mission there is: fighting from and returning to the sea. Most importantly they shape our unique Marine culture which is respected at home and across the globe.

             Sergeant Major Ruiz and I are proud of all that you have done this past year to protect and enhance our reputation as America's best warriors. We hope you know that we will be with you every step of the way as we prepare for the fights ahead. We ask that every Marine - active, reserve, and veteran - honor the legacy of those who went before us by continuing to uphold our high standards.

             Protect your fellow Marines and our shared legacy. Happy Birthday Marines!