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American Legion Family members make their way from the Massachusetts coast through Boston’s historical sites to northwest corner of the state, raising $2,800 for VCF.

When Mitchell Keil heard about 91Ӱ���ƽ��’s USA 250 Challenge, he set a grandiose goal, one that would incorporate fitness, fundraising and his home state of Massachusetts’ historical ties to the birth of America.

Keil, adjutant of Post 125 in North Adams, crafted his vision — walking 250 miles continuously over three days — to improve fitness and wellness, as well as celebrating America’s birthday, and raising money to benefit the Legion’s Veterans & Children Foundation (VCF).

“Every step you take, every dollar you raise, are motivational factors behind doing this 250-mile walk, besides all that time to just reflect on everything that’s been sacrificed for all of us,” he said.

The 250 challenge calls on participants to achieve 250 units — hours, miles, etc. — into at least one of the categories, which are physical fitness, mental wellness and community service. At the same time, the challenge celebrates the nation’s 250^th birthday with proceeds going to VCF.

Overall, the 10-member group of American Legion Family members raised $2,800 for VCF, which provides grants for military families in need and funds for accredited service officers to assist veterans with their claims benefits.

Keil reflected upon the deeper meaning of the walk itself upon finishing — under a large American flag, displayed by the North Adams Fire Department — at his post with dozens of American Legion Family members from across the state.

“You think about the sacrifice of those before you, those now, all the guys who I served with,” he said. “It stays and you don’t realize just how much it’s with you until you’re doing something that you have that time to put aside and just be in the moment.”

Keil led the walkers, which included Jesse Limanek, detachment commander for Massachusetts. They covered 250 miles, starting in Provincetown at 3 a.m. June 19 and concluding in the northwest corner of the state, just minutes from the Vermont border, at 1 p.m. June 21. Walkers switched on and off, covering sections of generally 5 to 8 miles.

A highlight was walking along the Freedom Trail, connecting their journey to the celebration of America’s 250th birthday. They passed by the site of the Boston Massacre, the Massachusetts Statehouse, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Quincy Market, Paul Revere’s house, the USS Constitution and more.

“Leaving Provincetown, I was walking by myself at 3 a.m.,” Keil said. “It didn’t really click of how daunting this might be. Getting into Boston on the second day, meeting up and doing the Freedom Trail, it kind of hit. This is the footprints of where they were — like different locations about Paul Revere’s ride, the Green Dragon Tavern, where they call it the headquarters of the revolution. You just start to really think and internalize of, ‘Wow, this is what it took. Just to think of how vast the area was and from Boston to Lexington where we walked on the battlefield too, where the shot heard around the world was.’”

The walkers took advantage of the busy Boston area — filled with tourists, including World Cup fans — to interact with people about 91Ӱ���ƽ�� and the walk’s purpose. Some made donations on the spot, others wished them well and one group cheered them on — after seeing them also walking the previous day. “You’re still walking?” one woman asked, in an apparent mix of surprise, admiration and confirmation.

This was not the first long walk for Keil and Limanek, who both estimated they did about 90 miles total.

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During 91Ӱ���ƽ��’s 100 Miles for Hope in 2022, Keil led a contingent from his post in North Adams on a continuous 100-mile walk to Post 414 in Sutton, where Limanek is an SAL member. The following year, Post 414 returned the favor.

“National Commander (James) LaCoursiere inspired me to want to step up and do my part,” Limanek recalled of when the challenge began last July. “Of course, I’m good friends with Mitchell from North Adams Post 125. He contacted me about this idea he had about doing the ultimate 250 challenge, walking 250 miles across Massachusetts from Provincetown all the way out to Post 125 and North Adams. Knowing where the funds were going, I just had to participate.”

Limanek comes from a military family, including two grandfathers who were in World War II and a son who is currently serving.

“The Veterans & Children Foundation is one of the many great programs run by 91Ӱ���ƽ��,” he said. “I find this one as the most practical in that any active duty member who has children and falls on hard times has the ability to apply to get a relief grant from VCF. Also, it provides funding to train VSOs, veteran service officers. So for me, playing a small part, raising some money for this great cause, it makes it all worthwhile.”

Limanek started training six months ago.

“I pushed myself to do 250 miles to prepare to do the long march,” he said on the second day of the walk. “Beginning in January, I started going out whenever I could doing two, three, five miles here and there just to get ready. It also helped me drop about 25 pounds, which was a good thing because again, we’re trying to get physically fit. Amazingly, even though we did 30 miles yesterday, other than a couple of blisters, I’m feeling great and I’m eager to keep marching forward.”

Newly elected Department Commander Robert Jerdan, a member of Post 382 in Quincy, joined the group for a walk through the historic sections of Boston on the Freedom Trail.

“That’s what it is all about,” he said, acknowledging the history. “These patriots are showing the values of the Legion impact, still serving America. Massachusetts is where it all began. Lexington and Concord. There are just a lot of different sites throughout the Commonwealth. It’s just an honor and privilege to be serving this great Commonwealth for the Legion.”

Jerdan, a retired Navy veteran, praised Keil for coordinating the walk.

“You know the old saying adapt and overcome,” he said. “Mitch will put his mind to something and then when we get the concrete plans, he’s on it. Mitchell’s one of those guys who is dedicated to the cloth on and off. It means a lot to us and wish them the best.”

Post 125 celebrated the return of the walkers with a special Father’s Day event. Keil tended to a few foot blisters, looked forward to a well-earned massage the next day and reveled in a mission accomplished.

But the question, of course, is, “Would you do it again?”

“I still got it,” he says with a grin. “Doing something like this and knowing you can still get out there and walk 90 miles, it’s cool. There are plans. Are there yeses? Everybody seems to enjoy themselves. You just need to talk to them at the right time.”