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Riders get a powerful performance from students of the Meskwaki Nation during one of the most memorable stops in the Run’s history.

After fighting in the Fox Wars against the French during the 1700s and being relocated multiple times, the Meskwaki – also known as the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa – relocated to Tama County, Iowa, and on July 13, 1857, had the foresight to purchase 80 acres of land, giving it a formal federal identity.

Over time, hard work and shrewd financial acumen, the nation was able to expand to more than 8,600 acres – now which includes on it the Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel and Meskwaki Travel Plaza. Also on the land is, perhaps most importantly, the Meskwaki Settlement School, home to both Meskwaki Elementary School and Meskwaki Middle/High School.

Part of the school’s mission is to ensure that its students are well-taught the history and culture of the Meskwaki Nation, so they can in turn pass it on to future generations. And for a lucky group of American Legion Family members, some of that history and culture was shared with them in a powerful morning stop on the 2026 Legacy Run.

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In a grassy area adjacent to the travel center, a group of settlement students ranging from elementary age to high school performed various dances that celebrate and demonstrate the heritage, history and traditions of the Meskwaki Nation. The students – dressed in outfits that represent the nation’s culture and history, are part of Dance-versity, which is invited to schools throughout Iowa to provide a similar demonstration of traditional storytelling through dance and song that shares the heritage of the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa.

With other Dance-versity members providing the soundtrack through drums and song, the dancers left the Riders mesmerized during their routines and then applauding loudly at their conclusion. And in between dances, Settlement School students gave the Riders a quick tutorial in the Meskwaki language, using both numbers and the names of animals to provide the lessons.

It was easily one of the most memorable stops in the 20 years the Legacy Run has been on the road.

“That was amazing. I mean really, really amazing,” said Ohio State Legion Riders Director Mike Schrull, a member of Post and Chapter 211 in Avon Lake, Ohio. “That’s what this ride is all about, and that’s what we should be doing on this ride.”

Dixie Kapayou, past commander of Robert Morgan Post 701 on the Meskwaki Nation settlement in Tama, said she wanted the Riders to experience the dance ceremony so they could better understand the Meskwaki’s history.

“I believe this is very important for the people, for the community. This is a legacy. This is our legacy … to show that we are here,” she said. “We are the only federally recognized tribe in the state of Iowa. There are a lot of people that don’t know there are Native Americans here. The settlement here is our own land. I think it will be good to let everybody know our bit of history.”

She also felt it was important to incorporate the students’ performance during the Run’s gas stop because of what she feels is one of the Riders’ top priorities. “I feel like this is very important to be student-led, because �鶹��ƵAV Riders are all about children,” she said. “This is outstanding for all of us.”

National American Legion Riders Chairman and Chief Road Captain David Heredia Jr. presented each of the participants with challenge coins and then praised their efforts, saying it falls in line with his own “Champions of Hope” mantra.

“You are true champions, because you’re keeping your legacy alive,” Heredia said. “And you’re honoring those before, and you’re keeping that legacy on for those after you’re done.”

“We ride for our Veterans & Children Foundation. This is our future. This is our legacy, this settlement here. For 169 years they’ve been here. They’re going to continue to be here with their traditions in this beautiful settlement.”

Post 701 also presented the ride with a $500 donation. “Giving is not just about making a donation,” Kapayou said. “It’s about making a difference. And we at the Robert Morgan Post and the Meskwaki Tribe are proud of you.”

Big Day for Donations. It was another big day for the Veterans & Children Foundation, the fundraising mission of the Legacy Run. More than $106,000 was donated, bringing the total raised so far to $414,707 – a little more than $100,000 over last year at this time.

More than $22,000 of that total came from the Department of Colorado, while another $7,500 was from the Legion Family at Post 199 in Fairhope, Ala.

The biggest donation of the day, though, came via the annual Wisconsin American Legion Riders’ Cruise for a Cause, which raised more than $90,000 overall this summer. Of that, $70,819 was donated to the Legacy Run during the lunch stop in Solon.

“It’s pretty great to support (the VCF) with that kind of money,” said Corey Doehrmann, Wisconsin’s state ALR director and “Cruise for a Cause” coordinator. “The funds that go to help those that are in need and have kids, that’s really important to me. But at the same time, I just went through the process of submitting a claim to the VA, and I know how challenging that can be.”

A Newcomer’s Perspective. Brett Phillips, director of American Legion Riders Chapter 75 in Crestview, Fla., presented a donation of $500 Monday morning. Then he shared what it’s like to be on his first Legacy Run.

Phillips was invited to take part in the Run by a couple of fellow Florida Legion Riders he met while on the Department of Florida’s annual In-State Unity Ride. He said one of the reasons he chose to take part in the Legacy Run is because its cause – the Legion’s Veterans & Children Foundation – funds training for American Legion-accredited service officers.

“They’re some of the most overworked people we have,” Phillips said. “It’s kind of where the rubber hits the road. I think that’s great. And when veterans and active duty who have kids that need help … the funding (through the Legion’s Temporary Financial Assistance) is there to help.”

Phillips said his first day “was a little wild. There were a couple of little mishaps. I’ve done large bike rides and the department’s rides, and it’s much the same. You just have to pay attention. You’re not sightseeing. As they said in our meeting over the weekend, ‘We don’t call it a Legacy Ride. We call it a Legacy Run.’ You have to be completely focused with your machine and on the machines around you.”

Texas-Sized Send-Off. The Riders started the day with a free breakfast courtesy of Texas Roadhouse in Ames, Iowa. The restaurant served up, at no cost to the patrons, breakfast burritos, sausage gravy and rolls, fruit and drink. The Riders also were able to take apples, bananas and bags of the famed Texas Roadhouse peanuts.

“It’s the least we can do for these men and women,” restaurant owner Rachel Swearingen said. “They’re the reason we’re able to live how we live and do what we do. So we wanted to do whatever we can for them.”

Local Store Marketer Kim Swearingen, Rachel’s mother, grew emotional and when asked why the restaurant went out of its way to support the ride. “These people have sacrificed so much for the rest of it. And so have their fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters,” she said. “This is not nearly enough to repay them for all they’ve done for us and for our country. But we look for any way we can show our appreciation for their service, and this was a small way to do that.”

Town Shut Down. At the ride’s stop in Solon at American Legion Stinocher Post 460, the Riders were able to park their motorcycles over two blocks right along Main Street, which was shut down. And it didn’t take a lot to make that happen.

“We just asked,” Post 460 Vice Commander and Legion Rider Mike Kessler said. “The city of Solon is really good. They work with us all the time, different events we have. They’re always here to support us.”

Kessler said a lot of planning and logistics went into planning for the stop, but it was worth it. “We don’t generally get to see this kind of turnout,” he said. “Our Riders do our own little rides … but to support a ride of this magnitude is pretty amazing.”

Following lunch, a small group of Riders headed to Solon’s Veterans Memorial, which was dedicated in 2011 after being funded by American Legion Auxiliary Unit 460. Among those at the wreath-laying ceremony was Past Unit 460 President Jean Stinocher, who was instrumental in the fundraising effort.

Post 460 was named for Stinocher’s husband’s two uncles, who were the first two local residents killed in World War I.

Finishing the Day. Day 2 of the ride came to a close at American Legion Post 27 in Muscatine. A large contingent of the post’s American Legion Family was there to greet it and provide a pulled pork dinner.

“It’s a great honor. A very great honor,” Post 27 Commander Jerry Christianson said of hosting the Legacy Run. “They picked our post, and our post is very proud to have them show up here. Anything with veterans is a hell of an honor for me and our post.”

Also on hand to greet the ride was Muscatine Mayor Brad Bark. “It is my honor and privilege to welcome the riders to our community,” he said. “Your efforts have helped critical needs for �鶹��ƵAV service officer training and provide grants for the at-risk minor children of Legionnaires and active-duty military. That work strengthens families and provides support to those who have already given so much.”

PHOTOS 1-2: American Legion Riders at Texas Roadhouse in Ames, Iowa  PHOTOS 3-4: American Legion Riders at a block party hosted by Post 460 in Solon, Iowa  PHOTO 5: American Legion Riders during a wreath laying in in Muscatine, Iowa PHOTO 6-8: American Legion Riders visit the Meskwaki Settlement in Tama, Iowa  PHOTO 9: American Legion Riders during a wreath laying in in Muscatine, Iowa PHOTOS 10-13: American Legion Riders at Post 27 in Muscatine, Iowa. Photos by Jennifer Blohm