Veterans recognize significance of memorial highway
August 8, 2019
On July 31, 20 American Legion riders left the International Peace Garden, at the Canadian border, venturing south on U.S. Highway 281.
Along the way, riders stopped in each town, collecting the signature of the local American Legion post commander on a banner.
On the same day, near Cage Boulevard, situated north of Hidalgo, Mexico, another group of riders departed, making similar stops on Highway 281's northbound route.
North and south collided Sunday, in Great Bend, Kan., where Team Legacy (north) and Team Vision (south) joined two halves of a legion centennial banner.
The signed banner will be presented to American Legion National Commander Brett Reistad during the 101st national convention in Indianapolis.
The American Legion is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2019.
The 1,875-mile motorcycle ride featured more than 60 stops at local posts, including a break at the Holt County Courthouse in O'Neill, where Post 93 Commander George Mumm inked the banner.
Here, local American Legion post members from the Holt County seat and surrounding towns, including Page and Clearwater, greeted riders.
The ride mirrored a similar trip made in 1960, when U.S. 281 was designated as the American Legion Memorial Highway.
Marty Timberlake, liason for Nebraska American Legion Riders, said, "It's a great way, to basically, show people our mission and who we are and let people see us and interact with the community and hopefully bring awareness to what we do and who we are."
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