Chapter 598 Legion Riders kick off annual D-Day Ride to celebrate America’s birthday and fundraise for veterans and chidlren.
Frank Burks is embarking on a 500-mile motorcycle ride on D-Day along with fellow Ohio Legion Riders to support two causes – The American Legion’s USA 250 Challenge and Veterans & Children Foundation (VCF). Kickstands will go up on June 6 from Post 598 in Kettering, Ohio, with stops at Legion posts in about 10 towns over the course of two days.
“When we saw the Legion's USA 250 Challenge, we thought what an awesome opportunity for us to take our D-Day Ride to the next step,” said Burks, Legion Riders director for Chapter 598 and 3rd District.
The American Legion’s USA 250 Challenge celebrates America’s 250th birthday on July 4 by encouraging participants to log 250 miles or hours in one or more of the three categories – physical fitness, mental wellness and community service – and encourages fundraising for The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation. Even with July 4 quickly approaching, there is still time to join the challenge and fundraise to meet the national commander’s goal of $150,000 for VCF. Learn more at legion.org/usa250challenge.
Last year, Post 598 Legion Family donated and raised $7,100 for VCF through the D-Day Ride. And this year, the goal is $10,000. This will include contributions from posts that the riders visit. Day 1 planned stops include Columbus, Pickerington, Athens, Lancaster and then to Zanesville for an overnight. The next day will include stops in Beverly, Gallipolis, Portsmouth, Washington Court House and Waynesville.
“Last year’s D-Day Ride was a success not just with fundraising, but with building camaraderie,” Burks said. “Every stop we made, we were greeted with smiles, stories and food.”
In 2024, American Legion Rider Duane Cobb came up with the idea to have a D-Day ride where Legion Riders would visit other posts to thank veterans for their service. The following year, the idea evolved into a fundraising effort for VCF since the department no longer has a Legacy Ride to fundraise for the foundation “so we jumped in to do our part,” Burks said.
“When the Riders changed their annual fundraising efforts from the (American Legion) Legacy Scholarship to the VCF, many people had no idea what the VCF was,” Burks said; VCF supports American Legion service officer training and Temporary Financial Assistance grants for active duty servicemembers and Legion members with minor children in the home who are facing financial hardship. “How can you fundraise if you don't know what something is. We took the opportunity to educate ourselves and others as we advertised our ride and fundraising effort.”
Burks hopes to have 30 Legion Riders participating in next month’s D-Day Ride. Any Legion Rider can join and ride as far as they want, whether that’s 100, 250 or 500 miles.
“We’re just trying to build this thing up and get more participation,” Burks said. “This is a way of getting out there and telling people what the VCF is all about. You’re not going to support something if you don’t know about it. So we’re just breathing life into the charity, if you will.”
- USA250 Challenge