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American Legion Riders pull off historic escort for Old Glory on America’s 250th birthday. 

An effort around six months in the making came to completion in Northern Virginia on July 4. And for those who took part in the effort, a phrase heard very often in their explanation as to why they participated was simply “once-in-a-lifetime.”

On July 4, more than 190 motorcyclists and another 50 or so passengers left downtown Pittsburgh, Pa., forming a group of American Legion Riders from across the nation providing an escort for a very special U.S. flag. As part of Sojourn 250, the Riders provided the escort for the final leg of a journey that has seen that flag fly over the graves and memorials of U.S. heroes buried in cemeteries under the American Battle Monuments Commission’s care.

And it came on the same day that the nation was celebrating its 250^th birthday.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” said Cody Metz, who joined American Legion Post 44 and Chapter 44 in Canton, Ohio, five weeks ago. “It’s an historic event. I read the story about the Sojourn and the carrying of the flag. As soon as I saw (info about the ride) and had the weekend off, that made it happen. I had to do it.”

Department of Rhode Island Commander and State Riders Director Michael Graichen felt the same way, which is why he made the ride to Pittsburgh to participate. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said. “The honor and respect that we have for the flag and for our veterans is so amazing, and to be able to be part of this group to help escort our symbol of our freedom into the nation’s capital on the 250^th anniversary of our country … there was no way I could turn this down.”

It helped that the event took place with the nation’s semiquincentennial as the backdrop.

“It feels surreal. Amazing. It’s amazing that we’ve lasted and had our freedoms for this many years,” Graichen said. “And it’s because of our veterans and servicemembers who started from the Revolutionary War all the way up to today … that went out and put their lives on the line for our freedom. So it’s such an awesome responsibility, a humbling responsibility and such an awesome opportunity to be able to do this.”

Sojourn 250 was a collaboration with the National Flag Foundation and came as 91Ӱ���ƽ�� was providing full support to America 250 in promoting and celebrating the nation’s historical birthday.

“From the moment that I got the call that we were going to do this mission by Past National Commander Dan Seehafer, the wheels were set in motion. I then reached out to (National Flag Foundation President) Romel Nicholas,” said American Legion Riders National Chairman David Heredia Jr., who served as the ride’s coordinator and chief road captain. “And today’s successful ride was done with six months of tedious planning. We didn’t really think we were going to pull it off as easily as we did today. But these last two days were amazing. Law enforcement stepped up their game and escorted us all the way to the ballpark.”

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

It wasn’t easy. Although temperatures were mild early in the ride, they quickly rose to the mid-90s as it rolled into Washington, D.C., to make a stop at the Washington Nationals baseball game. At one point, the temperature at the game registered 99, with a heat index of 112.

But that didn’t diminish the Riders’ spirit or precision.

“For those Riders who dedicated their weekend to be part of this history, it’s amazing,” Heredia said. “We could not do this alone. When the call came for us to support this mission, American Legion Riders stood up for the task. For every Rider I spoke to afterward, they are so proud of be able to be part of this history. I’m proud of them and the organization.

“Our family members have something to talk about in the future. That we were here and we celebrated 250 years of independence.”

Ride participants came from across the nation. Dana Jackson, a past adjutant at Charles F. Thomas IV Post 117 and member of Chapter 117 in Palm Bay, Fla., made the trip because, “I think it’s just because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal. I’ll never get to do it again,” she said. “To be a soldier for 25 years, and then still to be able to be part of a family on the veteran side, and to be able to celebrate our 250^th birthday is just a great experience for me.”

Past Sons of 91Ӱ���ƽ�� National Commander Joseph Navarrete flew in from Albuquerque, N.M. – where he is a member of ALR Chapter 23 and Squadron 72 – to take part. “It’s a very special ride, and it’s to show support and honor our heritage representing the Sons of 91Ӱ���ƽ��,” he said. “We owe everything we have in this organization to those that made it possible for us to join. So to have the opportunity to be able to represent all of the Sons and everybody else in support of that is just historic, and it’s amazing.

“It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments. It’s not something that comes around in everybody’s lifetime. To be able to be part of this amazing celebration, along with the Legion Riders, it’s unreal.”

Janet Sires said she learned about Sojourn 250 less than a week before it took place and immediately signed up. The member of George P. Vanderveer American Legion Post 129 and Chapter 129 in Toms River, N.J., called the ride “a chance of a lifetime. It’s the mission. The cause. The patriotic aspect and to honor our flag and our country and our veterans and our active duty. And to celebrate 250 years is amazing. It’s still one of the best countries to live in.”

Riders assembled by 5 a.m. on July 4 in downtown Pittsburgh on Grant Street outside of the Union Trust Building. The pre-ride ceremony included a saxophone rendition of “God Bless America,” a military color guard and the Sojourn 250 flags being presented to Heredia by the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office Color and Honor Guard.

Delivering the morning prayer was American Legion Riders Department of Alaska Chaplain Bill Pebbles, who flew in from Wasilla, Alaska, to represent Interior Post 99 – the newest post in Alaska. He also convinced his father and brother, who both live in Pennsylvania, to participate as well.

Providing the pre-ride prayer “was pretty humbling. That’s a good way to put it,” he said. “And to deliver the flag after it’s been everywhere, being at cemeteries and things like that, it’s been on some truly hallowed soil. It’s an honor to do it. It’s one of those things that I’ll never forget.”

After leaving Pittsburgh and stopping for gas in Breezewood, Pa., the ride’s next stop was at the Pittsburgh Pirates-Washington Nationals Fourth of July game, where Heredia and American Legion Past National Commander Dan Dellinger went onto the field prior to the seventh inning to present the flag to the Nationals.

Then, a small group of Riders headed to Arlington National Cemetery, where Heredia and Past National Vice Commander and North Carolina Legion Rider Patricia Harris took the flag onto the grounds of perhaps the nation’s most hallowed grounds.

“This flag has officially traveled to every national cemetery,” Heredia said. “It’s been through every state in the nation and every territory. And so, on behalf of 91Ӱ���ƽ��, 91Ӱ���ƽ�� Family and the Riders, it is my honor to have completed the mission.

“For me personally, I’m a first-generation Hispanic-American. My parents migrated here from Mexico in the ‘50s. It’s a proud moment for me. I get to honor the country of my birth. I get to honor all of the veterans who served and their families. For me, it’s a humbling experience. A proud moment for my family and, of course, my Legion Family. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”