"I've never been in the military; I dimly understood the meaning of insignia, uniforms, symbols," Shatner, 84, told Army Times on Wednesday, the day after his eight-day trip ended. "Didn't understand that. Came to understand that, from all these guys, from Vietnam and Korea, and now Afghanistan and Iraq, those former soldiers who were with us, I began to understand their pride in their unit, their pride in themselves. Civilians don't quite understand that. It should be spoken about."

Shatner, who filmed the ride for an upcoming documentary, stopped at American Legion posts and other landmarks along his journey to raise awareness for the group's Legacy Scholarship, which is awarded to children of service members who've died on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001. He also took donations along the way, sometimes from Legion members and others with little to give — one of several experiences the iconic actor described as "beyond humbling."

"They handed me $10, $20, and when one guy gave me a check and I turned it to the camera, he said, 'Don't turn it to the camera, I'm embarrassed about little the amount was,' " Shatner said. "They're living on a fixed salary, and ... $10 to them, that's where it hurts. That's where charity lies. And I was moved to tears several times by the generosity of these guys and gals."

American Legion riders provided logistical support for Shatner and representatives from American Wrench, a motorcycle design company who'd teamed with the actor-producer-director to design the Rivet, a one-of-a-kind three-wheeled bike Shatner intended to ride on the journey. The 500-horsepower silver machine never reached the starting line, however, sidelined by a steering issue.

"This is a prototype, and it suffers the minor ills of all prototypes, and we're working on them," Shatner said, directing bikers to RivetMotors.com for updates on the bike and the film, and for Legacy Scholarship donation information (also available here). "When all is said and done, it will be a magnificent vehicle."

Bill Shatner speaks with Vietnam veteran Rodney Herring, at left, before the Rivet bike was unveiled. Bill Shatner kicks off an 8 day ride with The American Legion on the Rivet bike, built by American Wrench in Aurora, Ill. on Tuesday, June 23, 2015. Photo by Alyssa Schukar.

William Shatner speaks with Vietnam veteran Rodney Herring, left, before the Rivet motorcycle prototype's unveiling at the start of the ride.

Photo Credit: Alyssa Schukar/The American Legion

The Rivet came along for display purposes. Shatner rode a more conventional three-wheeled bike, benefiting from the experience of his Legion-provided road warriors.

"I've never seen men and, in one case, a woman, perform so efficiently, so emotionally, so beautifully, so well-coordinated and so responsive," he said. "It was a lesson on how the military works. It was fun."

The scholarship tackles education costs not covered by federal benefits received by fallen troops' families; nearly $400,000 has been awarded via 150 scholarships since 2004, according to the Legion's website.

Shatner said the fund's purpose became clear after he met the son of a fallen soldier during a stop in Kansas. The 12-year-old came to see the motorcycles, not the actor, because he held memories of the motorcycle honor guard that had participated in his father's funeral, Shatner said.

"The hole in their heart can't be filled from losing their parents," he said, "but it can be healed, to some degree, by getting them an education, by giving them the life that they deserve."

William Shatner along with Legion Riders attend a special ceremony put on by Wells Fargo Bank at the Pickwick Banquet Faciltiy in Burbank, CA. in which Wells Fargo made a generous donation to the Legion Riders Scholarship fund. On {iptcdow}, {iptcmonthname} {iptcday}. Photo by Jon Endow.

William Shatner speaks during a ceremony at the conclusion of his eight-day motorcycle ride. Wells Fargo hosted the ceremony and made a donation to an American Legion scholarship fund.

Photo Credit: Jon Endow/The American Legion

Shatner traveled Route 66 as a hitchhiker before starting college. Now, as an 84-year-old biker with nearly 65 years in front of cameras (including 1961's "Judgment at Nuremberg," in which he played a U.S. Military Academy West Point graduate), he reflected with pride on the journey he'd just completed.

Barely.

"It taxed me to the limit," he said. "When I got into Las Vegas at 115 degrees heat for the whole day, with a 70-mile-an-hour wind going past my face on the motorcycle, I was very lightheaded. Close to fainting.

"After some water and a moment's rest, I was fine. That almost got me. It indeed got three of us, other riders. The heat, and the fatigue. I'm all right today."

About Kevin Lilley

Kevin Lilley is the features editor of Military Times.

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