The Kansas State Legacy Run raised more than $17,000 for the Veterans & Children Foundation while paying tribute to former Rider Dave Schoonover.
Ahead of the 2026 American Legion Legacy Run – which will leave Lincoln, Neb., on Aug. 23 and will arrive at Fort Knox, Ky., on Aug. 27 – we’re featuring the efforts of American Legion departments who staged in-state Legacy Runs. Those efforts provide much-needed financial support for The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation (VCF).
The VCF provides funding for:
· The Legion’s Temporary Financial Assistance program, which offers grants for the children of military personnel and veterans facing urgent, unexpected hardships.
· The cost of training and accreditation for American Legion claims experts, who provide free representation for veterans and families applying for disability benefits, survivor assistance, GI Bill opportunities and more.
Kansas State Legacy Run Committee Chairman Chris Krueger – who also serves as Detachment of Kansas adjutant, state ALR Sons of The American Legion liaison and Sons of The American Legion Squadron 180 adjutant in Great Bend – shared the following about his state’s Legacy Run, which took place June 12-14.
We rolled on 12 June with 52 riders, 10 passengers, three chase truck drivers and another 10 supporters. We also had six Brits make the trip across the pond to ride with us, to honor Dave Schoonover and see the great state of Kansas.
We traveled 567 miles over three days, starting at Post 45 in Junction City.
· Day 1 – We visited posts in Emporia, El Dorado and Mulvane, and ended with a stop at the Winfield Veterans Home and the Winfield Veterans Memorial for a wreath laying.
· Day 2 – Day 2 saw us visit veterans memorials in Anthony, Medicine Lodge, Pratt and South Hutchinson, with wreath-laying ceremonies at each. Our bugler this year was 11-year-old Timothy Heck, son of U.S. Army veteran David Heck and his wife Alexandra. He told me last year that he wanted to play Taps this year, and after a year of learning, he pulled it off and played Taps very well.
· Day 3 – The ride started at Post 68, Dave Schoonover’s home post. We visited Post 180 in Great Bend, and then traveled to Great Bend Cemetery, where the Brits laid a wreath at the grave of Rita Spencer Farthing, who served in the British Women’s Land Army during WWII. Members of her family were in attendance as well. We then traveled to the end of the run at the Kansas Soldiers Home at Fort Dodge, visiting with the residents there.
We raised $17,904.89 for the Veterans & Children Foundation.
- Riders