ROLAND, IA - Want to go on a 75-mile bicycle ride on Memorial Day? One Iowa veteran plans to do just that. Larry Ritland, a Vietnam Veteran and 38-year member of American Legion Post 307 in Roland, Iowa, will honor veterans this Memorial Day in a unique way. Ritland has a strong history of cycling his way through milestones, starting in 2016 when he celebrated his May 31 birthday by riding 68 miles to match his age of 68. In 2016 Ritland bicycled the Alaska Highway to honor his uncle, Lloyd Ritland, who helped build the road during World War II.

In 2019, he commemorated the 100th anniversary of the American Legion by cycling 100 miles on his birthday. Last summer Ritland, along with his support team of one (wife Kay), spent 74 days bicycling across the entire country, Washington State to Washington, DC, also as a tribute to the American Legion’s 100th Anniversary.

Of course this year at the end of May is birthday number 72.

After learning of so many Memorial Day services being canceled, including the one in his hometown, Ritland decided to incorporate the Memorial Day observance into his 72nd birthday ride. He plans to honor his namesake veteran relatives by cycling through eight central Iowa communities.