It’s official: The American Legion and America250 partner up

Two major pathways urged: America Serves and America Waves.

For nearly a year, American Legion posts and departments across the country and beyond have been promoting America250 events, initiatives and collaboration opportunities overseen by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, in advance of the nation’s 250^th anniversary July 4, 2026.

Onstage at the 2026 Washington Conference Commander’s Call Monday, a relationship encouraged locally and regionally by an American Legion National Executive Committee resolution last May became an official national resource partnership. American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley and America250 Executive Vice President Jennifer Condon signed an agreement formalizing the alliance before hundreds of patriotic Americans.

Prior to the signing, Condon explained that “we want this to be the largest and most inspiring celebration and commemoration in our nation’s history. Let me emphasize – this is not just about a big fireworks show on July 4, 2026. This milestone gives us an opportunity to reflect on our past and what we want to be 250 years from now. It’s a chance for all of us to ask, ‘What is the spirit of America?’”

For the answer, she needed look no further than to the folks from across the country before her. “Few ideas capture the essence of the American spirit better than service. Public service is part of the fabric of our nation. Few understand this better than the patriots in this room. That’s what all of you do in The American Legion.”

Nearly every hand went up when she asked, “How many of you continue to serve today? Look around … that is just the spirit of service that I’m talking about. That’s what this country is all about.”

Condon strongly urged American Legion Family members to log their hours in a quest to make 2026 a record-setting year for volunteer community service. America Gives is one of several planks in the America250 platform that ideally fit the Legion Family’s purposes, and by taking a pledge to serve and entering volunteer hours online, individuals and posts can be considered for $1 million in funds for their preferred charities.

Activated on Jan. 1, 2026, the America Gives pathway has already recorded more than 1.7 million hours of service in all 50 states, five U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.

“Ultimately, we want America Gives to spark a renewed culture of service that lasts long after 2026, and The American Legion will be a key partner in helping us realize that goal,” Condon told the crowd.

She added that hours devoted to the American Legion Family USA250 Challenge can be recorded and will count toward the America250 total. “Whether it’s mentoring a student, volunteering for your local Legion post or supporting a cause that matters to you, every hour makes a difference,” Condon said. “It doesn’t matter how big or small the act, what matters is participation.”

The American Legion Family USA 250 Challenge calls on members to conduct 250 or more acts of fitness, wellness and/or community service in honor of the nation’s semiquincentennial, with fundraising and registration proceeds supporting the American Legion’s Veterans & Children Foundation.

Another pathway in the America250 journey that fits ideally into the American Legion Family’s work is the forthcoming America Waves, a celebration of the U.S. flag in which Condon says The American Legion will certainly have a big role to play. “No organization has done more to honor and promote respect for the flag than The American Legion.”

She discussed the coming Sojourn 250 – an American Legion Riders-led escort of the U.S. flag that has been traveling the world to its July 4 final destination in Washington, D.C. “the end of an epic journey around our great country.” The flag, which will be transported by an entourage of 250 American Legion Riders from Pittsburgh to Washington on July 4, has flown at every U.S. military cemetery overseas, has been to all U.S. territories, flew in a military jet over the Super Bowl and will have been in every state by the time it reaches the capital.

America Waves also calls upon all Americans everywhere to lift up their U.S. flags in unison on the nation’s 250^th birthday. “We want to create a sea of red, white and blue from town squares to stadiums to the National Mall,” Condon said. “Imagine, millions of Americans across generations lifting the same symbol at the same moment. That’s what America Waves is all about.”

Beyond 2026, the America250 initiative seeks to instill national pride that will resonate for generations to come. “We’re building a movement – a movement of national values-based programming that will last long after the fireworks.”

To get that movement rolling this year, and in the years ahead, veterans are essential, Condon said. “We need your help to activate service efforts in your communities, and we need your help to better tell the stories of military and veteran service that are so essential to America’s story. If America’s 250^th is going to mean something, it needs to honor those who have worn the uniform. It needs to honor the service that generations of veterans have given to this great country. If we do this right, not only will our semiquincentennial commemorate 250 years of history, it will inspire the next 250 years of service, and that would be something worth celebrating.”

Prior to the signing of the agreement onstage, National Commander Wiley put it this way: “Educating future generations about our nation’s history is the most tangible method to keep the sacrifices and legacy of veterans alive. You simply cannot celebrate a great nation without celebrating its greatest heroes.”