The American Legion and one of the nation’s best-loved television and film stars are teaming up for an epic cross-country motorcycle trek that will include stops at Legion posts from St. Louis to Hollywood.
William Shatner is hitting the road to help raise awareness of American Legion programs and raise funds for American Legion Legacy Scholarships, which help cover college expenses for children of U.S. military men and women who lost their lives while on duty since Sept. 11, 2001.
Shatner, known for his roles in Star Trek, Boston Legal and numerous other programs, will be riding a Rivet, a never-before-seen vehicle created by him and iconic motorcycle company, American Wrench. Beginning in Chicago on June 23, Legion Riders will join Shatner in retracing the route the future star took to Hollywood when he was just 19 years old.
The schedule for Shatner and his fellow riders includes the following cities and Legion Posts:
• June 23 – Chicago, IL to St. Louis, MO
• June 24 – St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, MO (American Legion Post 21)
• June 25 – Kansas City, MO to Oklahoma City, OK (American Legion Post 1340)
• June 26 – Oklahoma City, OK to Amarillo, TX
• June 27 – Amarillo, TX to Albuquerque, NM (American Legion Post 49)
• June 28 – Albuquerque, NM to Flagstaff, AZ (American Legion Post 3)
• June 29 – Flagstaff, AZ to Las Vegas, NV
• June 30 – Las Vegas, NV to Hollywood, CA
“I am beginning an exciting journey of 2,400 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles,” Shatner said. “The road will be filled with many unknowns. I will be surrounded by American Legion members, and what is certainly not unknown is their dedication, generosity and care about fellow veterans. The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund is the Legion’s charity and we will be bringing awareness to that fact at the many Legion Posts in the cities along the way.”
Riding with Shatner will be Bill Sloan, program administrator for The American Legion Riders and a 22-year U.S. Army veteran; Debbie Bickle, U.S. Army veteran and proud 2-Blue Star Mom; and Rodney Herring, U.S. Navy veteran who served in Vietnam. Along the route American Legion Riders will join them and visit American Legion Posts, VA Medical Centers and other meaningful destinations.
“The American Legion is committed to ensure children of fallen service members have the opportunity to attend college,” American Legion National Commander Michael Helm said. “Through the support of our American Legion Riders and William Shatner, more students will have the chance at post-secondary educations, the cost of which continues to increase every year.”
For ongoing updates about the ride, go to legion.org.
