Department of Indiana Commander Ron Patterson celebrates final mile of the USA 250 Challenge and donations for the Legion’s Veterans & Children Foundation.
American Legion Department of Indiana Commander Ron Patterson completed his 250-mile ruck in support of the Legion’s USA 250 Challenge to celebrate America’s semiquincentennial. Patterson left Department of Indiana headquarters for his final mile on June 25, carrying 72 pounds in his Army rucksack.
“I do feel a great accomplishment,” he said of rucking 250 miles over the past nine months for the USA 250 Challenge that benefits the Legion’s Veterans & Children Foundation (VCF) to support veteran families in financial need and veterans filing disability claims. His goal was to raise $20,000 for VCF and surpassed that with over $22,000 in donations. “It feels marvelous, quite honestly, to accomplish something and for the right cause for the Veterans & Children Foundation. It’s easy to do the right thing when you're doing the right thing.”
Patterson started his USA 250 Challenge last September where he chose the physical fitness category by rucking 250 miles. He started out with 30 pounds in his rucksack and continued to add weight to represent the physical and emotional struggles that his fellow veterans go through, reaching 50 pounds. As he set out for his final mile, 22 pounds were added to represent the estimated veterans who die by suicide daily.
“When I put that 22 pounds at the very end, it was really painful. It's hard on your shoulders,” Patterson reflected upon. “But I thought about how hard it is when our veterans are struggling mentally. It was a pretty moving moment to add that weight. I know it was just a block of steel that I put in there, but it represented a lot more to me and to our veteran brothers and sisters.”
It was the mental and physical aspect of the rucking that Patterson found to be rewarding.
“I think that I learned a lot about myself in doing it,” he said. “I hadn't been in good shape for a long time. So as I got in better shape, I felt mentally it really helped me and that is key to your well-being in general. And as I was walking, I had a lot of meditation time. I didn't put music on. I had a lot of time to think, so that helped me mentally as well.”
The ability to get out into the community to be physically active also served as an opportunity for Patterson to engage with his community members about who The American Legion is and how to get involved. He even recruited several American Legion, Sons of The American Legion and Auxiliary members.
“Quite honestly, it’s easy to do to get people involved when you tell the story about everything The American Legion does, and all the programs that they can be a part of,” Patterson said. “It became a very easy conversation to have with people. And that felt good as well to help the Legion Family out.”
Though his USA 250 Challenge is complete, Patterson said he’s not done with rucking.
“I'm absolutely going to continue doing this because it's been so good for me,” he said. “It's a part of my life now.”
We want to hear from you
Have you completed your 250 miles of physical fitness, mental wellness or community service for The American Legion’s USA 250 Challenge? Share photos and your story at www.legiontown.org under the category USA 250 Challenge. And don’t forget to download the customizable USA 250 Challenge finisher certificate.
Here’s how:
2. Download the PDF
3. Customize it by typing your name and post, unit or squadron
4. Print
- USA250 Challenge