Legion Riders called upon to escort U.S. flag to Washington on July 4, 2026.
Family,
The American Legion, and specifically the American Legion Riders, have a magnificent opportunity to play a key, high-visibility role in the nation’s 250th anniversary. On the morning of July 4, Sojourn 250 begins its historic final leg of a great worldwide journey. A special U.S. flag that has flown at U.S. military cemeteries overseas and traveled to every state and territory will make its way to the nation’s capital as part of America’s 250th anniversary.
Our friends at the National Flag Foundation have called upon Legion Riders to deliver the colors on a commemorative ride from Pittsburgh (home of the foundation) to Washington, D.C. As of May 4, 150 Riders had registered of the 250 needed to carry our flag home, along I-70, with a police escort. Simply put: we need more volunteers. Click this link to register. You can track the ride on the National Flag Federation website. It would be an awesome spectacle to see flag-waving American Legion Family members along I-70 to cheer our Legion Riders on.
The Riders will travel some 250 miles that morning – about a six-hour journey – and make their first stop at the Washington Nationals-Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball game at Nationals Park. They are expected to arrive at about 1 p.m. (about the time of the seventh-inning stretch) and present the flag before a roaring crowd of Fourth of July baseball fans. Wouldn’t it be cool to have a large contingent of Legion Family members in the audience for that moment too? Game information is available on the Washington Nationals website.
Following that appearance, a group of Legion Riders from the Sojourn 250 event will loop past the U.S. Supreme Court building and the White House before delivering the U.S. flag at the Capitol. This historic flag will have a place of honor inside the National Archives following the tour.
Also, remember that The American Legion is an official resource partner of America250, an initiative of the nonpartisan Semiquincentennial Commission. As part of that, another big opportunity is available through America Gives, one of the America250 pathways to celebrate. American Legion Family members are strongly urged to enter their community-service hours on the America Gives web platform. America250 has already recorded more than 8 million volunteer hours. Those who register on the site also have a chance for their chosen charity – like The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of The American Legion – drawn for a portion of $1 million in grant money to assist with community-service efforts. Those hours can also be recorded to fulfill your commitment as part of the American Legion Family USA 250 Challenge in support of our Veterans & Children Foundation.
This is a great moment for America, The American Legion Family and, of course, the colors of our country. Stay tuned for more information and media coverage of Sojourn 250 as you plan and conduct Fourth of July commemorations in your local communities.
Past National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer is chairman of the American Legion Ad Hoc Committee on the 250th Anniversary of America.
- USA250