The 2024 Be The One Rally for Veteran Suicide Prevention – the Final Post
There’s nothing quite like the open road. The hum of the engine, the blur of the scenery, and the thrill of discovering the next unknown town. Now, imagine doing that across 5,452.8 miles, with one mission in mind: raising awareness for veteran suicide prevention. This was my story from August 2nd to August 21st.
An epic (at least for me) drive from Los Angeles to the National Museum of the United States Army in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, in our C6 Corvette – “America’s Sportscar.” A “Vet in a ‘Vette” for America’s veterans. Proud to be supporting the American Legion’s “Be The One” suicide prevention campaign.
The Journey Begins: Newport Beach, California to Newport, Oregon
With a salute to the flag at American Legion Post 291 in Newport Harbor (my home Legion post), I turned north. My first stop was at the American Legion Department of California's headquarters in Sanger, California, and then on to Newport, Oregon, through beautiful northern California and southern Oregon.
Northern California and the southern Oregon Pacific coast were spectacular. After a pit stop and rest day in Newport, Oregon, the real adventure began: US Highway 20, stretching from the Pacific Ocean all the way to Boston, Massachusetts. US Highway 20: America’s Medal of Honor Highway.
The Mother Road: US Highway 20 Adventures
US Highway 20 is often overshadowed by its more famous cousin, Route 66, but make no mistake, US 20 is the real “Mother Road.” As Woody Guthrie once sang, “This land is your land,” and there’s no better way to feel that than on Highway 20. It was a journey of extremes—driving through the Cascade Mountains of eastern Oregon, the vast prairies of Wyoming, and the rolling fields of Iowa. It’s a route that gives you a true perspective on how expansive—and diverse—America is.
We found ourselves immersed in a variety of life experiences, from chatting with farmers in South Dakota to meeting Native American artisans in Wyoming. One minute we were basking in the glory of Mount Rushmore (a place I never tire of visiting), and the next, we were grabbing a scoop of vanilla ice cream made from Thomas Jefferson’s original recipe. [I’m happy to share the recipe!]. Talk about a sweet treat for history buffs!
American Legion Stops and Friendly Faces
This trip wasn’t just about seeing the sights; it was about connecting with people, especially those at American Legion posts. We made stops in small towns and big cities, visiting countless Legion halls. Each post welcomed us with open arms, eager to hear about our mission and share their own stories.
From Bend, Oregon, to Cody, Wyoming, to Rapid City, South Dakota, and beyond, we were met with a warm sense of camaraderie and support for the Be The One campaign. And trust me, driving a Corvette plastered with veteran support graphics is a surefire way to start conversations!
Message Reach
What a trip. We stopped at 15 American Legion posts, had TV interviews in six cities, and even had people following our GPS tracker, including people in Canada and Italy. Plus, of course, our Instagram and Facebook followers.
A Few Unexpected Surprises
One of the most memorable moments came in Boston, where we made a late-night visit to the USS Constitution in Charlestown Harbor. The rain was falling, but the wind was calm, and there was something almost magical about seeing “Old Ironsides” glistening in the harbor.
Boston itself held another surprise: the Marriott in Boston Harbor provides free lodging to veterans being treated for PTSD through Operation Homefront. It was a humbling reminder of the many ways people are working to support veterans across this great country.
And of course, no cross-country trip would be complete without a detour to Niagara Falls. We hopped on the Maid of the Mist and sailed right up to the base of the American Falls, getting thoroughly soaked in the process. Sometimes, you just have to embrace the adventure!
Reflecting on the Road and Looking Ahead
All told, we drove just over 100 hours, covering 5,452.8 miles, all in a Sparco Evo race seat with a six-point racing harness donated by our great partners at OG Racing. The seat was really comfortable, though maybe that’s the helicopter pilot in me talking. After flying for eight hours on a nylon seat with just a five-minute break, like every other hot refueling, a padded seat is simply downright luxurious!
This journey was epic in every sense of the word. America is such a varied and beautiful country, and I felt honored and blessed to be able to make this drive, raising awareness for such an important cause. As much as I enjoyed the trip, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed more time to soak it all in truly.
That’s why we’re doing it again in 2025, and we’re looking for sponsors who want to connect with America’s 21+ million veteran community.
We're gearing up for the 2025 rally, and we’re looking for sponsors who want to make a difference in the lives of America's veterans. And their families.
If you're passionate about supporting our veteran community and want to see your brand featured on this epic journey, reach out to us today and Join Us on the Next Adventure!
Contact us at Robert @ rally4vets.com to learn more!”
Until then, keep your eyes on the road and your heart open to adventure. America is waiting to be explored, one mile at a time.
Once again, thanks to the companies that support our Rally4Vets programs:
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