Six American Legion Family members ride their bikes from Dallas to Tampa, raising awareness about Be the One, which aims to reduce the number of veterans lost to suicide.
Six cyclists. Five states. 1,285 miles.
All in the name of Be the One.
Past Department of Texas Commander Jeff Perkins led a delegation of cyclists from Dallas to Tampa, reaching The American Legion’s national convention on Aug. 23. Along the way, they promoted the Legion’s mission to end veteran suicide, shared that message with American Legion posts and first responders, and raised funds for PTSD support services.
“It was a fantastic trip,” he said. “We got to visit so many people, so many different posts with The American Legion. We met with many fire chiefs, police chiefs, sheriffs, and we got great receptions from every one of them. This ride was about trying to reduce the number of suicides. This group considers one suicide too many.”
Perkins, a member of American Legion Post 291 in San Leon, is no stranger to long rides. After retiring from his civilian career, he bought a bike to stay active even though it had been 45 years since he last rode one. It did not take him long to leverage his riding into spreading awareness and raising funds for initiatives that hold a special place for him.
His commitment was driven by profound personal experiences: witnessing a suicide while in the Coast Guard, and losing a friend and fellow Legion member to suicide.
“It really has been tough, but I want to reduce the number of suicides,” he said, also noting that he raises funds for breast cancer research in tribute to his daughter. “My 42-year-old daughter, Jennifer, just died Dec. 22 from cancer. So cancer is just as important to me.”
Previously, Perkins completed rides that successfully raised significant funds, including $15,000 for cancer research, $23,000 for PTSD, and $20,000 during the ride to The American Legion National Convention in New Orleans in 2024. The just-concluded ride to Tampa will raise around $20,000 for the Birdwell Foundation to create a much-needed in-house PTSD treatment facility for female veterans.
Joining him were Past Detachment of Texas SAL Commanders Bill Kuehner and Tom Arista, and dual Legion and SAL members Joe Johnson, David Kemp and Mike Dunlap.
American Legion National Commander James LaCoursiere was among a contingent of about 35 onlookers welcoming the cyclists as they arrived at the Tampa Convention Center.
“I am proud of them because that's a long haul,” he said. “But it’s not a surprise to us because this is what the American Legion Family is all about. This is exactly what they do, supporting their communities. And they're promoting our number one mission, Be the One.”
LaCoursiere noted that Be the One is how the Legion is "trying to destigmatize mental health. Let everyone know that it is OK to not be OK."
He also pointed out that no one is immune from falling into a dark place.
"We need to Be the One to be there for all of our entire family, the whole American Legion Family," he said. “The key is listening to them, speaking with them sincerely and compassionately and honestly having that open dialogue, letting them know that ‘I will not leave your side.’”
Perkins will take a couple of months to recover and then plan next year’s trip to the national convention, which will be in Louisville, Ky. He is open to others joining his group on the ride, even for shorter segments. After all, it’s all in the name of raising awareness about suicide prevention.
“Through these rides for The American Legion, I hope to let people know what we do,” he concluded. “That's what it's about. I want the people to know we're here to help veterans and help the communities too.”
- Convention