Legacy Run Coming Through Iowa
The 20th Anniversary of Legacy Run will spend nearly 2 full days in Iowa for 2026. They will assemble and leave Lincoln, Neb., on Aug. 23 and travel approximately 1,000 miles through Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana before finishing Aug. 27 at the General George Patton Museum of Leadership in Fort Knox, Ky., near the site of the 2026 National Convention in Louisville.
Upon leaving Towers' Frontier Harley-Davidson in Lincoln NE at 8am on Aug. 23, Riders will travel the backbone of Iowa, along Hwy 30, to the first overnight stop in Ames. Arriving in Ames at 430pm that afternoon we will meet and dismiss from the Great Hall at the Memorial Union after a wreath presentation and honors are rendered in the Gold Star Hall. The opportunity to showcase this wonderful tribute to the soldier students of ISU is an honor for the Legion Riders and we are very grateful.
At 830 Monday morning we will be kickstands up and leaving Ames. We won’t go hungry; breakfast is being supplied by Texas Roadhouse. We will rally in their parking area where they will make sure we are well fed, and loaded with snacks for the day. Their willingness to take in 300 Riders as the morning rally point is an indication of the support we receive from them. They asked that any person willing and able to bring a flag, stand a flag line on South Duff Ave as we leave town. They hope to stretch all the way to Hwy 30.
At 930am we will arrive at the Meskwaki Settlement fuel stop, we will be honored by the Nation before we set off to Solon for lunch. Leaving Hwy 30 for the scenic back roads, Solon has blocked main street for us to get off and stretch and enjoy a taste of Iowa. Rested and back underway we’ll continue down the river to our end-of-day stop of Day 2 in Muscatine at 4pm.
Day 3 brings a wreath laying in Keokuk at the Veterans Cemetery Memorial before crossing into Illinois on our way to Hanibal Missouri.
As Riders chair, I’m continually proud of your Legion Riders in Iowa. We have accomplished so many great things, this is simply another way of giving back and supporting our Veterans everywhere. To witness upwards of 300 motorcycles rumbling through our great state feel free to stage on overpasses and at any start or end stop. If you’re there, you will be seen!
The Legacy Run is direct support for the Veterans and Children Foundation. Through VCF funding, the Legion’s Temporary Financial Assistance grants feed and house children of military personnel and veterans facing urgent, unexpected hardships. These grants prevent eviction, keep the power on and fulfill basic needs to hold a family together through difficult times. The VCF also funds training and accreditation costs for American Legion claims experts who provide free representation for veterans and families applying for disability benefits, survivor assistance, GI Bill opportunities and more.
Cliff Barker
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