Author: Ed "Wind Dog" Brundage

194 Days to KSU!

The day and night of ghosts and goblins is over and next up is our day of Thanksgiving. We are now in the season of giving thanks and appreciation to our many friends and family. Many who we met and became friends as members of this great Midway family. Be sure to let them know that they are in your thoughts and prayers during this season of remembrance and sharing.

“Never forget the reason for the season”

I would like to take this moment to personally thank all my friends and family members I have made over the last 17 years and the healing and camaraderie we have shared. It has been a true blessing for me to be a member of this great Midway family.

Fall is a great time of year. For some of us, the riding season is bringing on the challenge of staying dry (testing our rain gear) and warm (testing our heated gear).  For others, the riding season is just beginning. You can never do too much preparation for the run, and getting in as much riding as you can (especially long-distance riding) is one of the best ways to prepare. Regardless of where you live, if you are planning to ride ALL THE WAY on one of the 3 cross-country routes you will ride at least 3000 miles, 6000 if you are returning to the west coast.

Another great way to prepare is to take a Motorcycle Rider Course. There are many types of classes taught at various levels, check your local Harley dealers or on line for local law enforcement advanced courses. If it’s been a while since you took a class, you might want to investigate honing your skills before joining the Midway route in May.

Register for the 2026 Run now

The Midway Route now has just shy of 90 registered riders and participants. This is just a little less than we had at this time last year. This means that if you have not registered yet, please do so as soon as possible. Early registration helps us plan for our stops and hotel accommodations. Early registration ends on January 31, 2026, and registration costs increase on February 1, 2026. You can Register HERE.  If you are in leadership, please register now and Lead by example.  If you are an FNG, please register as early as you can.  We know plans can change. PLEASE REGISTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!!

We are one team and one family with a Mission.

Riders!  Now is the time to recruit participants for the 2026 Run.  You are all ambassadors and recruiters for the Run.  Please get the word out and actively promote the Run. Challenge your friends, join a local riding group and bring them with you. Put your significant other in the number two seat and bring them with you on this adventure.

This ride will be different from any you have done before. It will change you in many ways. All positive!!!!! There are SO many patriots out there that want to say “Thank You” and show you that they care about you. Lots of them want to give you a hug! I will never turn that down!!!

Looking to make a difference, in addition to riding?

The Midway Team is really coming together. The State Coordinators are hard at work coordinating with the great people that support and feed us at our stops, as well as the Gas Stations and Hotels that accommodate us.

It takes a village to get all those riders across the U.S. in 10 days.  We need people to volunteer for the various positions of the Run, whether it be in a leadership or support role.  Even if you do not ride a motorcycle, there may be things you can do to help us out.

The teams are almost full, but we could still use some help on Staging, Fuel, Medic teams and Registration lead position. If you are interested in being a part of any of these great teams, go the RFTW site and fill out  a volunteer application and get it submitted. I assure you that your leadership team will respond and attempt to place you in the position you desire, if you meet the qualifications.

FNG’S (Friendly new guys/Gals)

Midway leadership is developing many exciting opportunities for our FNG community for 2026. Midway Outreach and Ambassador teams are working at bringing numbers of FNG’s to each breakout to overpasses, veteran’s hospitals and homes, schools and many more.

Missing man formation opportunities are being developed and will be announced soon through our Missing Man Coordinator. His name is James “Juice” Brown and he will be reaching out to the FNG’s and riding community shortly with the limited spaces he will have available to ride in the prestigious position in the missing man formation, in the front of the midway pack, directly behind the route coordinator.

All these opportunities and more guidance will be announced to you through the midway route FNG coordinator. His name is Roger “Bullseye” Ford and he will be reaching out to each of you shortly.

This will be an outstanding adventure for all FNG’s riding in 2026.

Gulf War Veterans

As a fellow veteran of the Gulf War, I salute each of you and along with your Midway leadership team, we are developing exciting opportunities for you to show our respect and to celebrate your service.

This year is dedicated to you and your service to this nation and us all.

I will give further information as the plans develop and solidify.

Check out the Forum

There are various costs associated with RFTW. Besides the cost of making sure your bike is ready for the trip (good battery, fresh fluids, plenty of tire tread, everything tightened, working lights, etc.) there is the registration fee, prepaid gas fee, topping off each evening or morning, and a place to sleep. Hotel rooms are probably the largest expense on the run.  One of the best ways to help keep your cost down is to have a roommate. The new Forum has a ton of topics from GMRS radios, to various meet ups, to items for sale. It is also an excellent place to post that you are looking for a roommate to share hotel costs. And, if you are planning on sharing a hotel room, the trick is to get rooms with two beds. The hotel list for all routes is released on January 1, 2026. Each hotel has a limited number of rooms with two beds in the RFTW blocks. If you plan on sharing hotel rooms, you might want to consider booking early on New Years Day.

Platoon Assignments

The registration information has been released for our route. The Midway Platoon Coordinator, Joe “Java Joe” Bookataub, is starting to place riders in platoons based on the info you provided on your registration form. Type of bike you are riding, preference of riding (side by side or staggered), riding with friends, etc.  As he gets the platoon information out to the Platoon Leaders, they will be contacting the riders assigned to their platoon so everyone knows ahead of the run what platoon they will be in. If you are in a platoon that doesn’t work for you, or would rather be in a different platoon with friends, just let your Platoon Leader know so we can make requested adjustments.

Why We Ride

There are so many wonderful things about RFTW and specifically the Midway route. The amazing people you meet who quickly accept you and become family you look forward to seeing year after year. The incredible ride across our great nation and the dedicated patriotic supporters that feed us and wave to us from overpasses every year.  And of course, the Mission. I can find no way to put into words how powerfully our Mission affects me. I am humbled to be part of such a great cause and to honor and remember those that have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country free. Above all else, while you are on the run, please keep our Mission in mind.

“Say Their Name”      “Tell Their Story”         “ Never Forget”

225 Days to KSU!

Halloween and the Holidays are just around the corner. Fall is here with its temperate weather.  Friends and families are still recovering from some of the devastating weather events of the year.  We need to keep them all in our thoughts and prayers. The time goes by so quickly. Before we know it 2026 will be upon us.

POW MIA Recognition Day was celebrated on Friday September 19, 2025.

While National POW/MIA Recognition Day is not a public holiday, the United States’ National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed across the nation on the third Friday of September each year. Many Americans take the time to remember those who were prisoners of war (POW) and those who are missing in action (MIA), as well as their families. Many Americans across the United States pause to remember the sacrifices and service of those who were prisoners of war (POW), as well as those who are missing in action (MIA), and their families. All military installations fly the National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag, which symbolizes the nation’s remembrance of those who were imprisoned while serving in conflicts and those who remain missing. There are 1,741 American personnel listed by the Defense Department’s POW/ MIA Office as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, as of April 2009. The number of United States personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is 841. About 90 percent of the 1,741 people still missing were lost in Vietnam or areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control, according to the National League of Families website (cited in the United States Army website). The National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag symbolizes the United States’ resolve to never forget POWs or those who served their country in conflicts and are still missing. This is part of our core mission statement.

“Never Forget”

Your Route Coordinator and his leadership Team are deeply involved in the planning of Midway Route 2026. As you may know, this year also marks the 35th Anniversary of the start of Desert Shield/Storm. We are honoring that milestone with this year’s Run, and our merchandise director will soon announce a special anniversary pin, coin, and other items that will be available.

Registration

 Registration opened on Sept. 11th, 2025. Midway is doing well on getting riders registered. However, if you have not registered yet, please consider doing it as soon as possible. We need semi-accurate numbers to provide them to our fuel stops so they know how much 91 octane they will need to have available for us. Additionally, our lunch and dinner locations need to have a best guess so they can provide the appropriate portions and Hotels and camping locations need to know how many rooms or camping sites will be required. I know there are a lot of moving parts but it is necessary to get this family across the country as safely and efficiently as possible.  You can register on our website just as you have in the past.  We encourage you to register early and take advantage of the reduced, “early bird” rate.  Registration rates are:

Coast to Coast Routes (Midway)

1. $100 early bird
2. $120 regular reg (starting Feb 1)
3. Day riders (up to 3 days on the road riding): $100

Looking for Volunteers

Midway route is looking for a few good men or women. I need some dedicated riders to assist me with Registration, Risk Management and an Honor Guard Coordinator. If you would be willing to assist the Midway riders in any of these positions, please contact me at ed.brundage@rftw.us or go to the Midway website and fill out a volunteer sign up form. You will gain a sense of fulfillment that only comes with sacrifice and service to your family.

 Riding Interval

Our riding interval has now been officially documented by the Board of Directors. For years, we’ve discussed our expected interval as “up to two seconds,” “one to two seconds,” etc., but now, through our SOPs, the Board has specified that our interval should be two seconds. Even when riding in a staggered formation, you will be expected to maintain a two-second interval from the bike in front of you. Additionally, the SOPs include a maximum highway pack speed. For well over two years, the SOPs have stated that the pack will not exceed the posted speed limit or 70 mph, whichever is less. I will ensure that you get adequate time for all riders to join the pack when entering the roadways, and that this maximum speed is not exceeded.

Please assist me in ensuring this is an enjoyable ride for all.

GMRS Radios

GMRS radios are now the standard for communication among your leaders. However, remember that while you all can listen in on the directions on GMRS, silence is golden. Unnecessary communications are disruptive to departure coordination and clog the channel, preventing critical messages from getting through. When someone is using the channel unnecessarily, another person might be trying to communicate a safety issue. With GMRS’s increased transmission capability, there’s no need to relay any instructions. Hand signals remain the primary way to communicate within the platoons, ensuring all riders receive critical info and instructions. Bottom line: Stay off the radio!!

If you have purchased a GMRS radio and are unsure about how to set it up, there are tutorials on the RFTW forum under “GMRS radio”. It will give you the opportunity to listen to the leadership of Midway making route decisions as we cross this great country.

Politics

Please remember that the Midway route and RFTW are non-political, and as such, political discussions are not allowed and will not be tolerated. These discussions can easily turn into arguments that hinder the Mission and create a hostile environment not conducive to Midway’s healing efforts. Please keep your political opinions to yourself while we are on the Mission. My sainted mother always told me there were three things that are never brought up in polite conversation. Sex, Religion and Politics because they are all personal/private and no one else’s business. We are focused on the Mission, not politics.

RFTW Podcast

The RFTW Podcast with Boots and Hitch continues to highlight what makes RFTW a unique organization. I encourage you to take a listen. Each episode explores a distinct aspect of RFTW, featuring interviews with various individuals who have contributed to the development of RFTW.  Check it out!!

Some final thoughts: (I borrowed this from the Presidents message)

It is not the worst thing to die in war; it is not the worst thing to be missing in war. The worst thing is to be forgotten in War.

‘No one left behind’ is more than just a standard we strive to meet. It is a way of life. It is part of our Mission. If you or someone you know finds themselves struggling with mental health, please know you can contact the VA Veteran’s Crisis Line by dialing 988, then pressing 1, or texting 838255 to speak or chat with a qualified responder.

POW/MIA Recovery Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) continues its dedicated efforts to recover and identify remains from all conflicts.  Since the beginning of this Fiscal Year in September, they have accounted for 58 individuals lost in conflicts since World War II, with 43 identified from that war.  In addition, there were 13 accounted for from the Korean War and two from the Vietnam War – that leaves 1573 still missing in Vietnam, most of whom still have families looking for answers. Our four-part Mission begins with the call for accounting – those families are our families, and they deserve our support.

Let us dedicate ourselves and our efforts and remember to keep our focus on the Mission. It is why we ride!

Say Their Names – Tell Their Stories – Never Forget.

Is it May yet?

253 Days to KSU!

286 Days to KSU!

My name is Ed Brundage, and my road name is “Wind Dog” and yes, if you were a participant of the Midway route 2025, it’s me again.  I am honored to be your 2026 Run for the Wall, Midway Route Coordinator.  My thanks and appreciation goes out to the RFTW Board for my selection. The board is currently reviewing my nominees for Assistant Route Coordinator and Road Guard Captain. I will post the results in next months newsletter.

Just a little about me, I am a US Marine Veteran having served around the world and in two conflicts, Vietnam and Desert Storm and served primarily in Infantry combat units.  I retired from the USMC in 1991. I completed a second career in Law Enforcement in Southern California and fully retired after 17 years.

My first year on the Run was in 2008 and I’ve ridden “All the Way” on both the Central Route and Midway Route every year since minus the Covid years.

I have held various positions on the Run, most recently as the 2025 Midway Route Coordinator.

I am very aware of the healing properties of this run. It has helped me heal from the survivors guilt I suffered from for many years after Vietnam. The lastest numbers released tell a sad story of up to 44 veterans per day losing their lives to hidden demons they brought home with them from our continued “War on Terror”. If this run can heal and save just one of these hero’s, then the time, cost and effort is worth it. So, please get the word out to all you know about this runs purpose and goals.

For all you FNGs (Friendly new guys/gals): Everyone is welcome to ride with us, whether you have served or not

The Run leaves Ontario, CA on May 13, 2026 and rest assured planning is already underway for this incredible journey.

Whether you ride for one day or one leg, it is important to be involved and support the Run. You will find that this Ride will change you both emotionally and spiritually.

We Ride for Those Who Can’t

The Mission of Run for the Wall is “to promote healing among all veterans, and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all prisoners of war, and those missing in action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those killed in action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world”. This is why we ride.

We are one team and one family

The time begins now to start recruiting participants for the 2026 Run.  You are all ambassadors and recruiters for the Run.  Please get the word out and actively promote the Run.

Additionally, we need people to volunteer for the various positions of the Run, whether it be in a leadership or support role.  Even if you do not ride a motorcycle, there may be things you can do to help us out.  Please visit the volunteer page and sign up. Any and all positions are open until they are filled. First come, first served.

Volunteer Sign-Up – Run For The Wall®

Registration for the XXXVI Run for the Wall will open on September 11, 2025

In Closing, as we celebrate the founding of our nation, always remember, that 250 years ago, a very large group of very unhappy Colonialists rebelled against the sovereign King of England and wrote our “Declaration of Independence” It proclaimed to all humanity that as a new nation:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Preamble to the Declaration of Independence

“Freedom is not free” Men and women have been fighting our countries battles since its founding to ensure our hard-fought freedoms are not lost. Let us not forget but remember those serving who are still in harm’s way, those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and to those who are still unaccounted for in service of our country.

This year’s run leaves me with so many fond memories. Some of profound joy of seeing old friends and meeting new ones and some of Immense sadness of loss and maybe the realization that time stands still for no one. But before I expound on these feelings and more let me express my profound gratitude to your 2025 Leadership team. The leaders and their respective teams worked tirelessly since the end of 2024 to ensure your experience in 2025 would be enlightening, memorable and healing for many. These volunteers were State Coordinators, Road Guards, Missing Man Coordinator, Platoon Coordinator, Platoon Leaders, Asst Platoon Leaders, Tail Gunners, Financial services, Risk Management, Photographer, Sit rep writers, Hotel/Camping Coordinator, RC assistants and the many individuals from our local communities that welcomed us and fed us all across this country.

I would be remiss if I did not single out some individuals who went above and beyond in supporting me and giving me the ability to make this year’s run meaningful, fun, healing and hopefully a memory you will cherish and share with your children and grandchildren in the future.

Jerry Wilkins was not only my mentor this year, he was also the Midway routes California state coordinator, hotel coordinator and camping coordinator. Thank you, Jerry for keeping me “On Track” and providing sage guidance daily. You were always there for me

Sue “Odds” Chapin became my guiding light starting on day one. She always was ready to help with anything I needed assistance with including being the platoon leader for the leadership support platoon and became the Missing Man Coordinator when that position became vacant. “Thank you, Sue”

“Java Joe” Bookataub not only was instrumental in developing a program that daily recognized our Vietnam veterans but also did a magnificent job at leading all platoon leadership and stepped up to be the Arizona state coordinator.

Lastly, I would like to recognize Alan “Rocketman” Farmer who stepped up and became my “Chief of Staff” when I lost our Assistant route coordinator. Alan seamlessly moved up beside me in the missing man formation and assisted me with guiding the entire pack daily through the last 6 days of this year’s run. I could not have done as well as we did without his recommendations, guidance and obvious leadership skills. Thank You, Alan for a “JOB WELL DONE”

Collectively, I hope the leadership teams made 2025 memorable and reinforced the true purpose and focus of just what in life is worth fighting for. We hope that you always remember that life is truly about “The Mission”

Please remember that we are always trying to make next years’ experience better and that is why the After-Action Reports (AAR’S) are very important. I have received many already and I want to assure you that they are read by not only me but by the Board of Directors. I have already made a list of items from your submissions to be discussed at our next directors’ meeting. You can find AAR’S on the Midway page, second from the bottom on the scroll down menu. Please take this opportunity to tell me how we did this year. The Good, the bad and the ugly.

Midway Family, May is here!!!!!!!

We are now just 12 Days from KSU. Your leadership teams are putting the final touches on your Midway adventure.

At the risk of repeating myself, I must remind all of us about where our focus should be. What do we truly need to pack for our 11-day adventure. Just the essentials because there is not a lot of room on the bike for anything else. And always remember, there are stores everywhere. It has always helped me to prepare a checklist of necessary items: Prescriptions, toiletries, changes of clothes, undergarments, extra glasses, long-sleeved shirts, socks, warm clothing for those cold mornings, extra gloves for those cold mornings, etc. The more you pack, the more weight you carry.

Pre-Paid Fuel

The “early purchase” Pre-Paid fuel option is now closed.  But, you can still get your pre-paid fuel sticker at registration check-in – CASH ONLY! At registration your payment will be verified or cash accepted, and you will be issued a fuel sticker. This will go on your windshield, on the clutch side just below your platoon number. For individuals with windshield banners, clutch side, beside your banner. Please remember, even with prepaid fuel you need to come to Staging each morning with a full tank of gas.

Route Itinerary

The Midway Route Itinerary has now been published and is available HERE. You can either print out a copy or download it to your phone or mobile device. This will provide you with a minute by minute, Day by day glimpse of exactly what you will be involved in. Additionally, I know many of you have friends that wish to meet you or stand on an overpass and recognize your personal adventure. The itinerary provides exact locations for you and your friends. Lastly, it also provides emergency Medical and Chase vehicle phone numbers to assist you with any issues you may face along the route.

Ontario Schedule of Events

The Ontario Pre-Run Itinerary/Schedule of Events has also been published and each of your team/Platoon leaders has been given a copy. Please ensure you are where you need to be to attend your meetings to meet your fellow riders and have the most current information. Additionally, there is also a schedule of events happening at the Elks lodge including meals.

A shuttle schedule has also been published between the host hotel and the Elks lodge if you wish to use it.

Registration

Believe it or not, there are still individuals who have not registered for the run.

Please register now. Our registration team needs to have you on their computers, so we know if you have made it to Ontario.

End of Mission at the Wall

The RFTW picture at the Lincoln Memorial will be on 24 May at 0900. You need to be there early to find a good location for the photo. Immediately afterwards we will walk to the Vietnam Memorial and have the “End of Mission” ceremony” where all four route coordinators will lay the RFTW Mission plaque at the apex of the wall. This will occur at 0930 so you need to make your way to the wall with a purpose.

Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown

Midway has been assigned 19 motorcycles with 38 seats available to ride to the “Tomb of the Unknown soldier” and observe a laying of a wreath on behalf of all the riders from RFTW. This is truly an honor. The only motorcycles allowed on Arlington National Cemetery grounds are those from RFTW. A lottery will be used to select the riders. FNG’s and Vietnam vets only!

Please contact your platoon leader for additional details

Always remember our primary reason for riding is our Mission:

To Promote healing among all Veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.

Donations

If you are working with any organizations that are contributing to the Midway route for 2025, please remind them that there are only 12 days left to process the donation and to be useful in support of this year’s adventure.

Pack and repack your bike. (You do not need as much as you may think). Walk, run, stretch, exercise!

Ride your bike, if possible. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!

Do NOT procrastinate. Do it today!!!

Lastly, please remember that we respect all riders and their opinions. NO ATTITUDES!

Remember that we are on a Mission that requires all of us to work together and help each other in order to be successful. Set your own wants and needs aside and reflect on the hardships and commitment of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country free.

We strive to maintain a safe, supportive and private atmosphere in which all participants can reflect and heal on their journey to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. in the hope that they can return home to a new beginning.

Freedom Isn’t Free

Say Their Name, Tell Their Story, Never Forget

 See you in Ontario. Be safe in your travels. Maybe practice Throttle control instead of using your brakes. Just saying!!!!

May is just around the corner. We are now just 41 Days from KSU.

We need to start considering our preparations for getting to Ontario and “On our Mission”.

What do we really need to pack for our 11-day adventure. Just the essentials because there is not a lot of room on the bike for anything else. And always remember, there are stores everywhere. It has always helped me to prepare a checklist of necessary items: Prescriptions, toiletries, changes of clothes, undergarments, extra glasses, long-sleeved shirts, socks, warm clothing for those cold mornings, extra gloves for those cold mornings, etc. If you have a rider, this also cuts your available space in half. I would start to practice packing now.

Is your bike ready? Has a qualified mechanic looked over it and told you it will make the total miles we will be traveling from your front door and back. Have you considered a couple of bottles of fuel additive in case we run into stations that do not carry 91 Octane? “Food for thought”!

Pre-Paid Fuel

The Pre-Paid fuel option is now open. I strongly recommend you use this method to pay for your fuel. It will reduce the time spent at the pumps substantially. Time that you will need off your bike. Payments may be made using Zelle (Your bank should have this capability) and sending $150.00 payment to Midway.Route@rftw.us. Remember to add “Midway Pre-paid fuel 2025″ in the memo line.

We will receive notification of the payment and will have a list of those who pre-paid for fuel at Registration in Ontario.  You can also send a check made out to: Run For The Wall, Inc.  Put “Midway Route prepaid fuel” in the memo line. Mail to: RFTW Treasurer, 50 Fourth Ave Unit 1445, Dayton, NV 89403.  A third option is to pay cash at check-in at Ontario. There are no credit card options. Please remember, even with prepaid fuel you need to come to Staging each morning with a full tank of gas.

Route Itineraries

Itineraries have now been published and are available on the Midway website. You can either print out a copy or use the QR code and download it to your phone or mobile device. This will provide you with a minute by minute, Day by day glimpse of exactly what you will be involved in. Additionally, I know many of you have friends that wish to meet you or stand on an overpass and recognize your personal adventure. The itinerary provides exact locations for you and your friends. Lastly, it also provides emergency Medical and Chase vehicle phone numbers to assist you with any issues you may face along the route.

Registration

There are still individuals who have not registered for the run. Please go to the website and register as soon as possible. If you are unsure if you have or have not registered yet, please send an e-mail to roger.ford1234@gmail.com and he can quickly check for you. We need accurate numbers for all our meal providers, fuel providers (They need to know how much 91 Octane to have on hand), hotels etc.

Additionally, our registration team needs to have you on their computers, so we know if you have made it to Ontario.

End of Mission at the Wall

The RFTW picture at the Lincoln Memorial will be on 24 May at 0900. You need to be there early to find a good location for the photo. Immediately afterwards we will walk to the Vietnam Memorial and have the “End of Mission” ceremony” where all four route coordinators will lay the RFTW Mission plaque at the apex of the wall. This will occur at 0930 so you need to make your way to the wall with a purpose.

Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown

Midway has been assigned 19 motorcycles with 38 seats available to ride to the “Tomb of the Unknown soldier” and observe a laying of a wreath on behalf of all the riders from RFTW. This is truly an honor. The only motorcycles allowed on Arlington National Cemetery grounds are those from RFTW. I have selected a lottery method to fill those seats. FNG’s and Vietnam vets are my target population for this lottery. If you are interested, please contact your platoon leadership and give them your name.

More to follow on additional details

Sandbox Route

For those of you planning to continue your mission on the Sandbox route, here is your meeting schedule.

SandBox Route Meeting Schedule American Legion Post 176, 6520 Amherst Ave, Springfield, VA

Friday, 23 MAY 2025

• 1:00-6:00pm Check-in All Riders (Bar area)
• 1:00pm QM Equipment Setup (Dentz Rm)

 Saturday, 24 MAY 2025

• 9:00am-6:00pm Check-in All Riders (Bar area)
• 12:00-4:30pm QM Equipment Issue (Dentz Rm)
• 2:30-3:00pm Team Leaders Mtg (Banquet Hall)
• 3:00-3:30pm Road Guard Meeting (Warrior Cafe)
• 3:00-3:30pm Staging/Fuel Team Mtg (Banquet Hall)
• 3:30-4:00pm Amb/Outreach Team Mtg (Banquet Hall)
• 3:30-4:00pm Platoon Leadership Mtg (Warrior Cafe)
• 4:00-5:30pm All Riders Mtg (Banquet Hall)
• 5:30-6:00pm FNG Mtg (Banquet Hall)

Rolling to Remember

If you are not riding the Sandbox route, there is a great opportunity to ride around the Mall of Washinton DC with R2R (Rolling to Remember). This used to be called Rolling Thunder but has changed it’s name. There will be a group leaving from the American legion Post on the morning of the 25^th to attend this rally. Please stand by for more information on this opportunity. There is some planning still being completed.

Donations

Donations are still being accepted in support of the Midway route. If you have any organizations, veteran’s groups or friends of veterans we would really appreciate their support. RFTW is a 501 (c) 3 organization.

If any of your organizations are considering a donation, please let them know that we are 42 days away from KSU.

I am truly excited about this year’s Midway route experience. Your leadership team has worked countless hours to ensure your safety and journey is as stress free as they can possibly make it.

They are truly the living definition of Servant leadership, and I personally salute each of them. If you get the opportunity a “Thank you” and a shake of the hand would be all the pay, they receive.

Pack and repack your bike. (You do not need as much as you may think). Walk, run, stretch, exercise!

Ride your bike, if possible. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!

We are getting closer fast and time fly’s, so do NOT procrastinate.

My ARC (Assistant Route Coordinator) and I look forward to meeting each of you in Ontario.

“Is it May yet”  “Never forget”  “Say their names”  “Service before self”