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President’s Message May 2017

Well, we are now less than two weeks out – and if you are like me, you are ready to go NOW. We will have to make the best use of our time at this point in making sure that all preparations have been or are scheduled to be completed. My vehicle is due to go into the shop in the next week. I have an appointment with my Dr. to make sure that I am ready (YES! At our age – VN Vets – that is a prudent step to take!) I have been hydrating for the past two months and cannot let up now! And I believe that I have everything that I will need in the way of supplies. I will start laying everything out, checklist in hand. In years past, checklists have been published, but at this point, it becomes pretty much like any other long distance trip. HELMET, Tool Kit, a couple of extra quarts of oil. bungees, “Fix a Flat”, windshield cleaner (if you don’t have a windshield – GET ONE), CASH for fuel stops – and make sure you have a full tank first thing every morning, bungees, cold weather gear, hot weather gear, and RAIN GEAR!. Did I say bring extra bungees? Don’t try to bring everything – we do have chase vehicles to help get us to a shop should we break down, but then again make sure that you have the basics. A roll of good old TP can come in handy after a couple of days of Sloppy Joe sandwiches!

Speaking of chase vehicles – should you need one, don’t just stand there and wave to them as they roll by – They’ll surely wave back, being the friendly people that they are, but they won’t stop unless you make it perfectly clear that you are in need of their assistance. Once they all go by, you are pretty much left to your own devices. And don’t try to wave them down from a rest stop. They may or may not see you – get up on the shoulder of the highway (preferably outside of the yellow line!) and jump up and down like you’re on a pogo stick, waving your arms, or should I say flailing your arms like there is no tomorrow! NOW you have their attention! We mean to leave no-one behind!

I think that I have covered most of the administrative stuff already. All Registration will be at the Host Hotel – The Ontario Radisson. For those who were with us last year, we will be working out of the same rooms. Most, if not all of the meetings will be held at the Host Hotel as well. Leadership meetings will be held on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning. FNG meetings are scheduled for Tuesday afternoon as is a Blessing of the Bikes. Vendors and an RFTW Merchandise Trailer will be set up in the front parking lot of the Host Hotel as well. The Tuesday evening event will be a light meal served at the Host Hotel . As we prepare for the dinner we will hav the honor of being serenaded by the 44 piece Marine Corps Band. This promises to be an enjoyable evening. We will be presenting the Combat Heroes Bike Build project to the young Marine for whom it was built. There will be plenty of food and camaraderie. The event starts just after 1700 in the afternoon and will last until 7:00 PM. You must be registered to attend.

Don’t forget the ride to Riverside National Cemetery on Tuesday morning – YOU WILL HAVE TO REGISTERED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT – NO EXCEPTIONS. The Ride to Riverside National Cemetery will take place on Tuesday morning, May 16th, from the back parking lot of the Radisson. Stage after 0730 on Tuesday, Rider’s meeting at 0830, and KSU at 0900 for the half-hour ride.

A detailed schedule of activities in Ontario is included in the Newsletter and will also be covered under a separate post in the President’s Latest News as well as the Forum. Keep in mind that schedules are subject to change, so check the Host Hotel bulletin board when you arrive in Ontario. Of special note is that the schedule for the morning of the 17th will be strictly followed, at least to the best of our ability. DON”T BE LATE! By 0815 all that will be left in the parking lot are the portable latrines and a very loud echo!

REGISTRATION — Now is a good time to check expiration dates on your Insurance Card, Registration and Driver’s license to be sure that they don’t expire before May 29. If they do renew now so you will have the new ones for registration. Put them in your wallet now. Not a bad idea to photo copy and put copy in your luggage. All adult passengers must have a photo ID to register. Minor children must have both parents written permission to participate in RFTW.

VENDORS – You MUST have a valid Ontario, CA Business License. You will be asked to produce it and will not be allowed to set up if you cannot do so. Also, generators will not be permitted. All vendor coordination is being done as usual, through Carol Olmstead. You MUST see her BEFORE setting up shop. The coordination must be done even if you are an information booth only. SPACE IS VERY LIMITED. Vehicles – NONE – will not be allowed to be part of your set-up – So bring an EZ-Up if you were planning to use an awning pulled out from a motor home. Your motor home will be across the street.

And then the list of reminders:
HYDRATE
RFTW has a “No Pet” policy. NO PETS, PLEASE — SERVICE ANIMALS ONLY!
ALL REGISTRATION will be at the Host Hotel in Ontario, CA. Then at designated areas during The Run, if you are joining us in the middle of the country. See the posted itineraries at: www.rftw.us.

Timing at venues is of prime importance. If anyone is considering inviting speakers, participants, entertainment, etc., that activity must be coordinated through Carol Olmstead or Harry Steelman. Last minute requests in Ontario will not be considered.

Hydrate
Once you get your wrist band WEAR IT AT ALL TIMES!

HELMETS are MANDATORY everywhere on the Run

Motorcycles or any RFTW vehicles are NOT to be left under the breezeway or blocking the drive / entrance at ANY hotel or venue. NO EXCEPTIONS here either. This a safety issue related to emergency entrance and egress. If you leave it there it is subject to being towed. Yes, this does mean YOU! One or two bikes is NOT OK!

Secure your gear

PRACTICE RIDING SKILLS!
RIDE SAFE and HYDRATE

Harry “Attitude” Steelman
RFTW XXVIII BOD

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Run for the Wall Remembers and Thanks Judy Lacey

The Run for the Wall Board of Directors would like to remember and thank Judy Lacey for her years of dedicated and selfless support of Run for the Wall and our Mission.

Judy died and passed away on April 15, 2017 from cancer. She admitted herself to hospice just days before, and yet was still working on the Run for the Wall Newsletter, which she put together for the past many, many years.

She will be missed by the entire Run for the Wall family, and we sincerely offer her immediate family our prayers and support.

For those interested, here is her obituary from her local paper in Lake Havasu City, AZ.

Thank you, Judy. You are truly missed.

Sincerely,
Run for the Wall Board of Directors

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President’s Message April 2017

How did we get to the middle of March already? Time is literally flying by. I realize that winter has not been kind to most of you this year. While you all endure record cold, snowfall, and sleet/rain, we here in So CA have also been getting wet – Very Wet, by our standards. It will be a big problem in mid-to-late summer when fire season is upon us. But between now and then, we have the glorious months of April and May. Hopefully, we do not experience extreme weather while going across the country this spring, but at the very least we can expect a few days of wind and wet, perhaps snow at higher altitudes, and hail, all just to make it especially interesting. Sometimes it’s chilly/COLD and sometimes it’s flippin’ hot, but we take it all on as we pursue our Mission. One Mission, Three Routes! Regardless of the route of your choice, now is the time to begin (continue?) preparations. As soon as the roadways are clear, we all need to get out and RIDE. Practice those riding skills! Get the bike tuned up and squared away! Don’t procrastinate – The journey will be upon us before we know it! Of course, I know that this all goes without saying for many of you, in fact I am quite sure that there are those who have at least started laying out their “stuff”, if they have not already started packing!

I want to take a moment here before you all get bored and stop reading, and THANK Judy Wormmeester who was instrumental in past years in securing a chase vehicle for each route from KIA Motors. KIA is currently undergoing some organizational changes and will not be in a position to materially support us this year. HOWEVER, as I was mentioning this to one of our regular donors, they volunteered to rent for us three SUVs to replace those formerly provided by KIA. The three routes will use these vehicles to support their day-to-day operation, such as registration, finance, etc. This donor prefers, no, DEMANDS to remain anonymous, but a big THANK YOU goes out! And Thank You, KIA for your past support.

As was the case the last couple of years, the Radisson Hotel in Ontario will be hosting us prior to departure. The day-to-day itineraries will remain pretty much the same. Saturday, Sunday and Monday will be taken up by you all visiting with old friends, making new ones and WELCOMING FNGs. Registration will be available for those who haven’t registered online (We heartily encourage online registration, so avoid the crowd!), and the usual orientation and organizational meetings will commence. Tuesday morning we will be offering a ride out to Riverside National Cemetery to honor our fallen heroes and visit several Memorials. And the meetings will continue. In the evening we will be enjoying an informal meal presented by the Radisson. At this event, we will be making a presentation of the custom built Combat Hero’s motorcycle to Capt. Ken Kraft U.S. ARMY, who started out as a grunt, and has made his way up the ranks. NO OTHER Presentations or talks are planned or authorized at this time. “Microphone Time” will need to be approved by myself, representing the BOD, or Ken Hargrove/Carol Olmstead, our Ontario Coordinators. Again this is merely an informal gathering of participants focused on meeting old friends, making new ones and WELCOMING our FNGs. YOU WILL NEED TO BE REGISTERED AND WILL NEED TO HAVE YOUR WRIST BAND ON IN ORDER TO GAIN ENTRANCE TO THE VENUE.

The RFTW merchandise trailers will be set up at the host hotel so you can pick up any last minute items that you missed online. The store now has more items in stock and this year’s T-shirts and merchandise is available. Other vendors, and I am informed that there will be some interesting ones this year, will also be set up in the front parking lots. Space is limited! Prospective vendors will absolutely need to have an Ontario, CA Business License and must contact Carol Olmstead prior to the event for deployment at the site.

We will also be setting up a “Media Table” to announce upcoming activities and events. PLEASE DO NOT JUST TAKE IT UPON YOURSELF TO LEAVE FLYERS, HANDOUTS, POSTERS, ETC. ON THIS TABLE. PLEASE CONTACT CAROL OLMSTEAD BEFORE DOING SO! ANY INFORMATION DISPLAYED THAT HAS NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED WILL BE SUBJECT TO DISPOSAL.

Also, Carol has gone to great effort to secure flags representing the branches of service, POW/MIA, an American flag, etc. These flags and the RFTW banners need to remain at the hotel for use in the upcoming years. I know that it would seem fitting to take the flags to DC and leave them at the wall, but all flags and banners used in Ontario need to be saved for use again next year and the next.

Vendors – You MUST have a valid Ontario, CA Business License. You will be asked to produce it and will not be allowed to set up if you cannot do so. All vendor coordination is being done through Carol Olmstead this year. You MUST see her BEFORE setting up shop.

I know that it may seem like we are putting a lot of restrictions and “rules” on an event that represents Freedom in its truest sense, however we do need to make sure that there are no misunderstandings that could result in complications either now or in coming years.

I have the following from Jim “The Mayor” Frost:

The Mission and the Goals of Run For The Wall® focus on accountability in wartime actions, "emphasizing that no one should be left behind." It took decades for a National Memorial to be dedicated to those thought (known?) to be Prisoners Of War or Missing In Action. The Tuesday before RFTW "Day One" is the opportunity to visit that memorial. A ride to Riverside National Cemetery will take place on Tuesday morning, May 16th, from the Radisson parking lot. Stage after 0730 on Tuesday, Rider’s meeting at 0830, and KSU at 0900 for the half-hour ride.

The National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Memorial was dedicated in September 2005. Viet Nam veteran Lewis Lee Millett, Jr., son of MoH Recipient Lew Millett, sculpted the bronze statue which depicts an American serviceman on his knees with hands bound by his captors. The Fallen Soldier/Veterans’ Memorial is also at Riverside National Cemetery: erected in 2000, is dedicated to all service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Riverside National Cemetery is also home of the Medal of Honor Memorial and one of four recognized as a National Medal of Honor Memorial Site. Dedicated in 1999, its walls feature the names of all MoH recipients. Expect to be back to the host hotel by noon, unless you wish to spend more time at RNC, or to visit the March Field Air Museum nearby. Try to schedule your time to be in Ontario on Tuesday morning to join us. RIDERS AND PASSENGERS PARTICIPATING IN THIS RIDE WILL NEED TO BE REGISTERED AND DISPLAYING THE APPROPRIATE MARKINGS ON THEIR MOTORCYCLES AND WRISTBANDS. REGISTRATION WILL BE OPEN EARLY ON TUESDAY MORNING.

The itineraries are now being finalized and there are some changes. I cannot put out any specific information in that regard at this time as arrangements and contracts are still in the works. As for hotel accommodations, the hotel lists have been published.

As the next Run rapidly approaches, it is time to start thinking about next year’s Board Of Directors. At least one of our members will be stepping down, and we will need to fill his position. If you are interested in sitting on the BoD, you need to know that it is a three-year term and will begin the first of July. Contact any member of the Board for more information. We will need a resume, outlining your experience both with RFTW, and in your personal life in the real world.

That’s about it. A couple of reminders:

HYDRATE

Be sure to make a special effort to WELCOME FNGs

Hydrate

RFTW has a “No Pet” policy. NO PETS, PLEASE — SERVICE ANIMALS ONLY!

Hydrate

Timing at venues is of prime importance. If anyone is considering inviting speakers, participants, entertainment, etc., that activity must be coordinated through Carol Olmstead or Harry Steelman. Last minute requests in Ontario will not be considered.

Hydrate

Once you get your wrist band WEAR IT AT ALL TIMES!

Hydrate

HELMETS are MANDATORY everywhere on the Run

Hydrate

REGISTER NOW!

Hydrate

Secure your gear

Hydrate

Do NOT leave your ride parked under the breezeway of ANY Hotel/Motel. They will restrict emergency access and may very well be towed.

RIDE SAFE and HYDRATE

Harry “Attitude” Steelman
President
Run for the Wall® Board of Directors