IS IT MAY YET????
No, but we are rapidly approaching the ALL RFTW Riders Reunion in KERRVILLE, TX! And yes, it is very HOT here in Texas!
Registration information is below. Please remember the earlier you register the better! There is a price increase September 20, 2023! (see below)
Place: YO Ranch Resort Hotel, Kerrville TX
Phone: 877-967-3767
2033 Sidney Baker Kerrville, TX 78028
Dates: September 27, 2023-October 1, 2023
Room rates per night: Single/double/Triple/quad rate $99.00
Clink HERE to book your hotel reservation online at the Y.O. Ask for the RFTW – Veterans group rate; this block of rooms at this rate will be held until 12 noon 8/20/23.
The Y.O. Ranch Resort is located off Interstate 10; take exit 508. The hotel is south of I-10, approximately 1/2 mile on the left.
To check out the hotel amenities and accommodations go to www.yoranchhotel.com
For those needing RV accommodations:
- Kerrville-Schreiner Park 830-257-5392 (closest to the hotel, city park, call for reservations)
- Buckhorn off I-10 800-568-6458
Wednesday – Early Bird dinner at Los Jimadores Mexican Grill & Bar
Thursday – On your own to ride the Hill Country and visit.
Friday – Arrival day is open for those interested in the Friday rides or catching up with friends. Dinner at VFW post 1480 reasonably priced @ $12.00 Serving at 6pm.
Saturday morning /afternoon – BOYO ride various rides and meetings are being planned. BoD/RC meetings 1600 – 1700 location room TBD
Saturday evening – A buffet dinner is being served in a private room for the group. The dinner will include coffee and tea service. Adult beverages will be available from the lounge.
Sunday morning is open for breakfast and coffee with friends before heading home.
Saturday’s dinner and a RFTW 2023 Reunion rocker are included in the non-refundable registration fee. For first timers (FNG) to YO RFTW Reunion, a reunion patch is included.
Registration cost: Now until September 20 – $40.00
Registration cost: September 20– September 28 – $50.00
Deadline for the registration is September 26th paid in advance. The deadline is required by the hotel to confirm head count for Saturday’s dinner. Prior registration and payment is required.
**************begin registration information*********************************
(Please print clearly)
Name(s)__________________________________________________________
Road name(s)______________________________________________________
Number of Attendees:______________
Full Address:_______________________________________________________
Email:____________________________ Phone:__________________________
First time attendee Yes_______ No_______
Wednesday evening Los Jimadores Mexican Grill & Bar Yes______ No_____
Friday evening dinner at VFW Yes______No_____
****************end registration information**************************************
Send the above registration information and checks payable to:
R.W. Mead
120 Ridge Grove Rd
Kerrville TX 78028
For more info, contact Sam or Cowboy at: rwmead@hotmail.com cell: 830-928-6634 or 915-422-5547
An email receipt will be set upon payment. The email receipt will be your dinner ticket/confirmation.
SOUTHERN ROUTE NEWS
We have begun meeting with different Leadership to start planning for 2024. The RFTW Executive BoD has decided to make a focused effort to get “Back to the Basics” regarding our Mission in 2024. Changes may be made to Platoon sizes and configuration based on rider registration. We will be looking at all of our stops to maximize our time on station and safety of the riders.
We will begin meeting with State Coordinators in the coming weeks and discussing each state from border to border and identifying areas of concern from 2023 and areas to improve in 2024. If you have not submitted an After Action Report (AAR) for the 2023 run, please do so by clicking HERE. RFTW leadership reads every AAR in an effort to make the Run the best it can possibly be!
As we work on getting “Back to the Basics” in 2024 I will be encouraging all riders to get to know each other better, not just in our Assigned platoons. Get to know your Stagers, Fuel Team, Road Guards, Ambassadors etc. There will be changes made to allow riders to get to know people in these leadership positions so take advantage of the opportunities.
We will be adding more focus to our Outreaches and Memorials to make sure we have as many RFTW riders participating as we can. I will be publishing multiple monthly newsletters as we continue to prepare for the 2024 Mission. The first newsletter of the month will be the typical newsletter as seen in the past with Route updates etc. I would like to publish a second newsletter each month starting in September 2023 highlighting different aspects of our Southern Route Mission and focusing on the Outreach Missions and Memorials which we visit.
I would like your input!
If you have a specific Memorial or Outreach Mission that means something special to you or moved you to want to return every year I would like you to reach out to me so we can discuss sharing your experience regarding that Memorial or Outreach and what it means to you personally. I want you to share with all of us exactly what it means to you. Vietnam Veterans and other Combat Veterans, I know this could be a difficult request for you but now is the time to Say Their Names, Tell their (and your) stories, and make sure we Never Forget!
With each of these newsletters we will include all the details about that specific Outreach or Memorial and what day, time, location that it will occur. If it is an Outreach Mission in which Riders can Volunteer to participate in, we will include a sign-up link for that specific Outreach. The goal here is to make sure riders are aware ahead of time what Outreach they will be participating in and when and where they will need to stage to participate in the Outreach. More details will be posted in the newsletters.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We are still in need of Volunteers (non-FNG’s) for a few positions. We are currently looking for a Raffle Rouser, 50/50 Rouser and Fundraiser Volunteer along with Platoon Leadership positions (PL, APL, TG). Please remember, the Platoon Leadership positions require CB communications. If you are interested in any of these positions, please fill out a Volunteer form. Even if you have previously served on any given team, if you plan to do so again, please complete the volunteer form. If you have any Medical Training and would like to be a part of our Medical Team please complete the volunteer form.
Leave no one behind does not end on the battlefield!
If you or someone you know find themselves struggling with their mental health, please know you can contact the VA Veteran’s Crisis Line by dialing 988 then press 1 or text 838255 and speak or chat with a qualified responder.
I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in Kerrville!
Darin “Lurch” Koch
RFTW Southern Route Coordinator 2024
