American Legion's national commander Dale Barnett is coming to DuPont to take part in a Walk for Veterans event Dec. 20.

It's part of veteran's awareness.

"I'm hoping for a couple hundred," said Bob Schwartz, adjutant of the American Legion Post in DuPont. "If we get overwhelmed. Oh darn."

The two-mile walk, which is hosted by DuPont's American Legion Pat Tillman Memorial Post 53, will begin at Powerworks Park in DuPont at 11 a.m.

"It's mainly for awareness," Schwartz said. "But it's also a fundraiser for the American Legion national emergency fund which is available to Legionnaires throughout the world in declared national disaster areas."

Registration costs $10, which covers the walk and a yellow commander's T-shirt. People can register on the day of the event or they can preregister online at American Legion Post 53 facebook page. Information is also available at www.legion.org.

Barnett, who was elected this year, is making his way across the country, meeting and talking with American Legion posts. Barnett is spreading the word about the accomplishments of American Legion across the country.

"I think the American Legion provides a vehicle for all of us an opportunity to give back to the community," Barnett said in a video on the Amercan Legion's website.

Barnett has seen the impact of American Legion.

"I'm so happy with what we do with our American Legion programs," Barnett said. "Our programs reach out and they touch the lives of young people and old people."

Barnett will also do the two-mile walk with vets at DuPont.

This is the first time the American Legion in DuPont is doing a walk like this. They're following the lead of Barnett.

"Dale's thing is he wants to walk with the veterans," Schwartz said. "He's doing this across the country. He's had a number of walks already."

There's been a good turnout across the country in similar events.

Schwartz said veteran support groups are welcome to set up booths at the event to give out information and to sign vets up for programs.

Schwart is anticipating a big turnout.

"I understand that I-Corp and 7th ID generals are very interested in showing up," Schwartz said. "So we're hoping to get a lot of viewers out there."

Barnett, who lives in Douglasville, Georgia, was elected national commander of the 2.2 million member American Legion Sept. 3, 2015 during the 97th national convention of the country's largest veterans organization.

After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Barnett served in the Army as an infantry officer for 22 years from 1974-1996. He left the Army as a lieutenant colonel. After leaving the Army, Barnett taught high school social studies and coached basketball, baseball and cross country.

On Nov. 12, Barnett spoke at a Walk for Veterans event in Boise, Idaho, raising both awareness for vets and boxes of food for the Idaho Food Convoy. It was Barnett's 10th walk he participated in since becoming the national commander.