GALENA, Kan. — Southeast Kansas has a lot to celebrate in 2026. The year marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the 150th birthday of Pittsburg, and the 100th anniversary of Historic Route 66.
A precursor to the modern interstate, Route 66 was America’s highway, connecting Chicago to Santa Monica, California. Only about 13 miles of the historic byway passes through the southeast corner of Kansas by way of Galena, where it intersects with the Jefferson Highway running north and south. At this prime intersection sits Gearhead Curios, a refurbished Texaco station owned by U.S. Army and Coast Guard veteran Aaron Perry.
A native of southern California’s Mojave Desert, Perry was born on Edward’s Air Force base. Graduating high school in 1988, Perry enlisted in the Army as a combat engineer stationed in Germany where he operated bridge boats. After a three-year stint in the Army, Perry transferred to the Coast Guard, serving in Search and Rescue and then as a payroll yeoman, a duty that brought him to Kansas.
Injured during his service, at one point nearly drowning, Perry has degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, three herniated disks, three contacted nerves, two of which are displaced, PTSD, depression, anxiety and trauma.
And despite the spinal injuries, he wants to ride a motorcycle across the country along Route 66.
Beginning on June28, Perry will set out for Chicago, the starting point of the highway. From there, he turns around and follows the entire length of Route 66 to Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles before returning to Galena around July12. That is two trips along the highway for a total of more than 5,000 miles.
Perry said the point of this is to raise awareness, not only for veterans, but for police, fire, and EMS — anyone who has donned the uniform to serve this nation.
“America is turning 250 years old because of those who wore the uniform and served,” Perry said. “I want to bring awareness to the pain that each veteran pushes thru every day that is in silence, masked to most that meet them.”
For Perry, this ride is about facing his own fears and not letting his injuries dictate his life as an example to others who face the same daily challenges.
And in 2026, the stars seemed to align for Perry. His chosen mode of travel is a 1988 Route 66 edition Yamaha motorcycle with a 250cc engine. For Perry, the signs were obvious — the year he joined the Army, the size of the engine, and that he lives and works near the historic highway — and couldn’t be ignored.
Dubbed the “Proud to be IN America Ride”, Perry said he has met people from all over the world who come to visit his shop, and they are proud to be IN America as they explore and learn about this country and its people.
Perry doesn’t intend to make this trip alone. He has an open invitation for anyone to join him along the route. It does not matter if they are on a bike or in a sedan and want to ride 100 miles or ten miles, or just wave as he goes by, as long as they show up.
Currently, Perry is looking for a veterans’ organization to support and he is very selective about it.
“I don’t want a group that prioritizes combat veterans,” Perry said. “Service members have been injured or given their lives without ever being near a combat zone.” Perry also is shying away from organizations that have a donations tab at the top of their webpages. “I’m looking for a group that prioritizes veterans’ needs over funding needs.”
Supporters can donate directly to Perry’s chosen organization, to an organization of their choice, or to Perry himself to offset traveling expenses. Any money he collects over and above what he needs for the trip will be donated back to the veterans’ organization.
To donate to Perry’s ride, contact him directly through his Facebook page “Gearhead Curios”.
This reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/Localnews
