Follow Operation: Race To 100 Mile-by-Mile

Photos and Commentary by Tim Sproles

Brett P. Reistad, National Commander of The American Legion addresses the Legion Family at Atkins Saw Post 355 on day 1 of Operation: Race to 100. The mission of Operation Race to 100, is to conduct a four-day, statewide tour featuring National and Department level leadership and showcasing American Legion Posts within each of the 11 Districts of the Department of Indiana.

Operation: Race to 100 was A four-day, statewide tour featuring National and Department level leadership and showcasing American Legion Posts within each of the 11 Districts of the Department of Indiana.
 
The purpose of the drive-around was three fold.

• To raise community awareness of The American Legion Mission.
• To provide an opportunity for National and State level leadership to visit with local Post and District level leaders and volunteers.
• To celebrate 100 years of American Legion history.

 
To associate ourselves together at the National, Department, District and Post level by making our Legion, Auxiliary, SAL & Riders top Indiana leadership available to interface with our volunteers and local Legion leaders in communities across Indiana; to transmit to posterity our Legion’s Veterans Service Advocacy mission from the Post to the local community by inviting local media and local leaders to learn more about us and how we can further develop mutually beneficial relationships for our veterans, their families and our communities; to provide the opportunity for local leaders, officials, politicians, police, firefighters, ems, educators and more to visit with their local American Legion Posts and meet with National and State level leadership.

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Day 1 (Sunday, October 7th)

#1. Beech Grove Post 276

The official party was greeted by the wonderful Beech Grove Legion Family as well as Mayor of Beech Grove, Dennis Buckley and Heather Harvey from US Representative André Carson's office. Great Post with Great people.  Our National Commander was also recruited to cut the cake.  

Check out the live stream from Post 276 where Brett P. Reistad, National Cmdr. of The American Legion and Rodney Strong, Department of Indiana Commander address the Post 276 Legion Family.

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#2. Atkins Saw Post 355

The second stop on the drive around, led us to Atkins Saw Post 335.  The traveling part received a warm welcome from the Post 335 Legion Family.  The post went out of their way to make the traveling party feel right at home.  

Check out the live stream from Post 276 where Brett P. Reistad, National Cmdr. of The American Legion and Rodney Strong, Department of Indiana Commander address the Post 355 Legion Family.

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#3. Crawfordsville Post 72

Crawfordsville Post 72 was a special stop for Department Commander Rodney Strong.  Post 72 just happens to be his home post.  And the Post pulled out all of the stops.  The traveling party was greeted by an honor guard at the entrance of the Post.  After a program featuring local and state leadership as well as local first responders, the group was treated to a fantastic dinner to close out the evening.

Check out the live stream from Post 72 where Brett P. Reistad, National Cmdr. of The American Legion, Rodney Strong, Department of Indiana Commander, Betty Slagle, Department Auxiliary President, Doug Heiser SAL Detachment Commander and Micheal Brady Legion Riders Director address the Post 72 Legion Family.

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​Day 2 (Monday, October 8th)

#1 West Lafayette Post 492

#2 Morocco Post 146

#3 Griffith Post 66

#4 Nappanee Post 154

#5 North Webster Post 253

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Day 3 (Tuesday, October 9th)

#1. LaGrange Post 215

#2 Auburn Post 97

#3 Fairmount Post 313

#4 Shelbyville Post 

Day 4 (Wednesday, October 10th)

#1 Mitchell Post 250

#2 Newburgh Post 44

#3 Worthington Post 106