The Albert Lea chapter of the Harley Owner’s Group will host a fundraiser tonight for the Nation of Patriots Tour coming to Albert Lea Sept. 1 and 2.

The fundraiser basket night will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Albert Lea American Legion Post 56 on North Broadway.

All of the money raised will be donated to combat wounded soldiers and their families.

The event is in advance for the Nation of Patriots Tour stop in Albert Lea. During the tour, a U.S. flag flown in combat is escorted through 48 states, starting in Wisconsin, and then returns after 100 days on Labor Day, according to local organizer Mark Harig.

Nation of Patriots is a national nonprofit fundraiser put on 100 percent by volunteers.

During the last three years, Albert Lea has ranked second in the nation for the amount of funds raised and presented, Harig said.

In 2012, local donations went to Ronnie Moats of LaCrescent; in 2013, they went to Miraha Behle of Glenville and in 2014 they went to Adam Hester of New Ulm. Awards are presented each fall.

This year, the tour will arrive in Albert Lea at Bergdale Harley-Davidson, 905 E. Plaza St., at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 1.

A formal flag reception will be conducted with the honor guard from American Legion Post 56 receiving and folding the flag and presenting it to a flag bearer.

Harig said he expects proclamations to be read from Gov. Mark Dayton and Mayor Vern Rasmussen Jr., proclaiming the day Nation of Patriots Day in Minnesota and Albert Lea.

He said the ceremony takes about 15 minutes and can be very meaningful and emotional. It is open to the public, and a lunch is served afterward.

The next day, on Sept. 2, Albert Lea area riders can register for the ride from 8 to 9 a.m. at Bergdale’s. A $5 donation is requested for each rider.

Riders will leave at 9 a.m. from Albert Lea and and escort the flag 140 miles to Ames, Iowa. The group will travel on U.S. Highway 69 south to Belmond, Iowa for a stop before continuing through to Ames.

There, another flag ceremony will be conducted and the flag will be passed to their flag bearer.

After lunch, the riders will return to Albert Lea via U.S. Highway 65.

Harig said riders are encouraged to participate.

He said people can call him with questions at 402-5619 or email him at mrharig@charter.net.