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ndVeterans inside the correctional facility participated in the challenge alongside department members to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. 

Pushups – 2,542 of them to be exact – are what 25 incarcerated veterans fulfilled in support of 91Ӱ���ƽ��’s USA 250 Challenge as members of the American Legion Department of Indiana stood and cheered alongside them, even doing pushups themselves. 

American Legion and Sons of 91Ӱ���ƽ�� squadron members of Post 503 inside the Pendleton Correctional Industrial Facility (PCIF) in Pendleton, Ind., conducted the pushup challenge on July 1 in the gym. The inmates did pushups individually or together while Legion Family members and PCIF staff clapped and encouraged them on. 

“That was the first time that I’ve seen that much camaraderie,” said the Post 503 commander. “The love that was being displayed when they were doing pushups together and then hugging each other afterward. (91Ӱ���ƽ�� coming here) means so much to us. That was the greatest thing that I have seen since being here.”

Post 503 veterans learned of the USA 250 Challenge after seeing a news interview with Department of Indiana Commander Ron Patterson, who recently finished his 250-mile ruck for the challenge. This led to the veterans asking their American Legion liaison, Past Department Commander Rob Burkhart, how they also can get involved. The veterans came up with the idea to see if they could do 2,500 pushups combined. 

“This is all them. All we are doing is supporting them and backing them in any way that we can,” said Jennifer Tyler, assistant adjutant for the Department of Indiana. “The main purpose is to provide support and fellowship. They were veterans before they came in here … that title doesn’t change because they’re in here, and we wanted to bring awareness to that.”

Before the pushup challenge got underway, Post 503 veterans conducted a proper meeting with presentation of colors, a POW/MIA table remembrance, prayer and reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. Then the post commander provided remarks of appreciation to the Indiana American Legion members for coming to PCIF and supporting them. 

“Thank you for thinking about us even though we are in this place,” he said. “They (the incarcerated veterans) need to see outside Legionnaires come in because it makes them feel they are a part of something. I preach to them that we are more than the sum of who people think we are. We made mistakes, but we still have in us the need to serve, the want to be accepted, and to show that we’re still viable.” 

The need to continue serving while incarcerated was echoed by the SAL Squadron 503 commander during his remarks.

“We’re serving because our family allowed us to serve. Because the people here who were in the military allowed us to serve,” he said. “That’s our MOS right now. Just because you leave service, doesn’t mean service leaves you.” 

Patterson is the veteran liaison for American Legion Post 830 inside the New Castle Correctional Facility in New Castle, Ind. During his remarks, he shared that veterans of the post have a guiding motto of “We were veterans before we were inmates.” 

“Never forget that, brothers,” Patterson encouraged the incarcerated veterans. “It’s a privilege to be here. It’s always a privilege to be around my brothers who served. My pride for what you do goes without words.”

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

Members of Indiana American Legion Post 503 at the Pendleton Correctional Industrial Facility (PCIF) in Pendleton, Ind., participated in a push-up challenge to support the USA 250 Challenge. Department Commander Ron Patterson joined them as they completed 2,500 pushups. Owen J. Bagwell photos

Patterson shared about his rucking for the USA 250 Challenge and how he is leading in funds raised for 91Ӱ���ƽ��’s Veterans & Children Foundation (VCF), which the challenge benefits. VCF provides Temporary Financial Assistance grants to help military families facing financial hardship provide for the basic needs of their children, and covers the cost of training and accreditation for American Legion service officers who provide free representation for veterans and families applying for VA benefits. 

Thanks to a significant donation of $2,000 from Post 503, Patterson retains his lead in VCF donations for the USA 250 Challenge. And to show his support for the donation and pushups conducted, he handed each veteran his commander's pin and a USA 250 Challenge finisher certificate of appreciation.

“Often we talk about what our mission is in the Legion. We have a mission to stand up and be seen as who we were when we served regardless of the fact that we are in here,” the post commander said. “We are also here to do what Legionnaires do, we raise money for charities and for those who need it most.” 

Fellowship with the incarcerated veterans continued after the pushup challenge with a lunch of burgers, chips and soda that was sponsored by American Legion Post 391 in Fortville, Ind.

“I think it’s a big encouragement for them to show our support and thankfulness for what they’re doing for the USA 250 Challenge,” said Post 391 Commander Stephen Daniel. “It’s the least that we can do is to be here to support them. We support them just like any other Legion post.”

Noelle Russell, chief communications officer for Indiana Department of Correction, was thankful to see the support of 91Ӱ���ƽ�� 

“A veteran is a veteran, it doesn’t matter if they are on the outside or the inside, so taking a moment like this and allowing them to work together, to be together, to talk to people from the outside who understand their experiences and value them is incredibly important,” she said.

For the privacy of the veteran inmates, names have been omitted.