Join our USA 250 Challenge

Let’s kick off our celebration of America’s 250^th birthday by leading from the front, engaging in physical activities, conducting community service and embracing mental wellness.

I am honored to announce The American Legion’s year-long celebration of our great nation, called the USA 250 Challenge. This patriotic challenge will help celebrate the nation’s 250^th birthday by promoting American Legion values while offering options for everyone to participate. 

Register today and join the challenge, which offers three categories for you to set and achieve goals. The challenge is now under way and concludes on the Fourth of July, 2026.

The three categories can be completed over the next year, solo or as part of a team. They are:

·         Fitness activities: Participants may choose to walk, bicycle or cover 250 miles (or hours) any way they choose. Or they can aim to do 250 hours of activity like playing pickleball, strength training or kayaking. An example of a team challenge would be 10 participants each walking 25 miles. 

·         Wellness: Participants complete 250 hours of wellness activities such as yoga, meditation and other forms of mindfulness. Other options include tallying 250 participants in Be the One training, completing 250 Buddy Checks, etc. American Legion Riders chapters (or individuals) could create an event where they ride at least 250 miles. Other team events might be an American Legion post, Auxiliary unit and Sons of The American Legion squadron conducting 250 Buddy Checks in their community. 

·         Community service: Participants achieve 250 hours of community service or reach the 250 threshold of a specific community service project. Individual or team examples include volunteering for 250 hours, cleaning up 250 graves in a veterans cemetery, teaching flag etiquette to 250 students or sending 250 care packages to deployed troops, or properly disposing of 250 tattered American flags.

Not only are we embracing physical activity, supporting mental health and serving our communities, we are giving back to disabled veterans and military families. Participants will register for $30 and receive a USA 250 Challenge T-shirt – in your choice of red, white or blue – with the proceeds going to the Veterans & Children Foundation.

You can learn more by visiting legion.org/usa250/challenge, where you can also register and donate. 

Please join me in celebrating America while engaging in healthy activities, supporting mental wellness and serving our great nation.