Veterans Take to the Mighty Cuyahoga

The American Legion Family joins rowers from across the nation and around the world for a day of camaraderie, competition and a new vision for adaptive rowing

It was zero dark thirty Saturday morning, Sept. 26, 2026, along the banks of the mighty Cuyahoga River in Cleveland.
The temperature was hovering around 48 degrees. Coffee was flowing. Water bottles were being filled. Snacks were being packed. Attitudes were being adjusted.
And the rowers were getting ready.
More than 2,000 rowers would eventually take to the water for the Head of the Cuyahoga Regatta, navigating a challenging 4,770-meter course that included seven bridges and five demanding curves.
Among those crews were two boats that carried something more than oars and racing numbers.
They carried the name of The American Legion and the pride of veterans.

Freedom Rows and American Legion
There were new members on both crews, and it was great to meet them.
There were high-fives. There were hugs. There were pep talks.
“Do you remember the first day — and the first week — of basic training?”
Someone barking commands.
Someone asking why you were there.
Someone making absolutely certain you understood exactly what was expected of you.
And then came the sound everyone was waiting for — the official claxon signaling the completion of the race.
But the coxswains' jobs were not finished.
Reaching the dock was only part of the mission.
The crews still had to be brought in safely. The boats had to be secured. The rowers had to be accounted for.
From “cradle to grave.”
A job well done. The results were:
Cleveland/Freedom Rows — 20:53
American Legion — 23:53
There were no tears. No fears. Only pride. First Vice Commander Holly Lewis and I then had the honor of presenting the American Legion Cup to Cleveland/Freedom Rows. This year's event generated more than $1.5 million in economic activity in Cleveland.