Author: Jim McDonough

The leaves dropping from the giant maple tree in my backyard is reminding me that November is here, time to rake and clear the gutters and to get ready for the Holiday Season.

There are only 52 shopping days until Christmas, 59 days left in 2025 and before you know, it will be May.

Your leadership team is hard at work trying to get all the pieces in place for a successful run.  But Staging and Fueling Teams still need volunteers, and I am seeking someone for the Raffle Rouser role.

Our State Coordinators are diligently working on hotels rooms, fuel stops, and donors for the run.

Registration

If you have not registered yet, please do so now.  It is important to register early so that our leadership knows how many people to plan for.  These numbers are critical for things like our donated fuel stops, blocked hotel reservations, and donated fuel.  We do not want to over or underestimate what we need for the Run.

We currently have 119 registered participants for the Central Route, which is down from 151 this time a year ago.  We still only have one rider with a trailer registered.

I would like to welcome the 18 FNG’s that have registered so far for the Central Route.  I know you will have a lot of questions, be sure to reach out to our FNG Coordinator, Bernadette Staples, for answers.

Remember, you are all ambassadors for the Run so please get out and recruit for the run. Please get the word out.

Information flyers are available at: https://rftw.us/rftw-brochures-flyers/

Donations

Public Donations help keep our costs down on the Run.  Donations can be made to the RFTW General Fund or specifically to one of the Routes.

Options to donate:

The DONATE Button – on the rftw.us website.  Donors can direct the donation to any Route or RFTW General Fund.

ZELLE –  email addresses for the Routes are: central.route@rftw.us for Central. It is important not to miss the . before “route”

CHECK – Checks should be made out to “Run For The Wall, Inc.”  Be sure to write what route or purpose the money should be allocated to in the memo section of the check.  Checks should be mailed to the RFTW Treasurer for depositing and proper accounting.  Any checks received by others should be forwarded to the Treasurer right away.

The RFTW Treasurer Official mailing address is:

Run For The Wall Inc.
50 Fourth Avenue, Unit 1445
Dayton, NV 89403-8169

As a reminder, if you happen to get a cash donation or check from someone please do not hold onto it, rather send it into the Treasurer for proper accounting.  If you need a donation letter, just contact me.

Camping in Ontario:

There is no camping at the Ontario Elks Lodge without prior approval.  Their lot has spaces allocated for vendors and other designated activities.  You cannot just show up and expect to pitch your tent on any open space.  If you wish to camp in Ontario, send me or our camping coordinator and email for options.

November Events

There are several RFTW get togethers scheduled for November in Arizona, Colorado, and Northern California.  Check out the events page for more information.  https://rftw.us/events/

 

Also, 250 years ago, on November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress commissioned Samuel Nicholas to raise two Battalions of Marines.  Nicholas went to Tun Tavern, located in Philadelphia, and appointed Robert Mullan, then the tavern proprietor, as the Chief Marine Recruiter.  Men flocked to the tavern to take up arms as the first Continental Marines fighting for their new country in the American Revolution.  As they say, the rest is history.

Remember that Tuesday, November 11 is Veteran’s Day.  Take a moment to remember and appreciate those veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

 

Mission Statement

To promote healing among all veterans and their family and friends

Call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War & Missing in Action (POW/MIA)

Honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA)

Support our military people all over the world

 

Be sure to check out the RFTW Podcasts, forums, Facebook page for up-to-date information.

I wish you and your family to have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving and Holiday Season.   Remember only male turkeys gobble, female turkeys (hens) cackle and don’t call 911 to ask the dispatcher how to cook your turkey, call the Butterball hotline instead.

Is it May yet?

Jim “Who?” McDonough
XXXVI Central Route Coordinator

It’s 221 days to KSU and counting. Laura and I have returned from our European tour, although the same can’t be said of our luggage.  Our travels took us to areas where we could see firsthand and reflect upon the sacrifices that were made by Allied Forces in Normandy; the uncertainty of the Cold War in the former East Germany and Berlin; and finally standing on a small hill in Estonia looking east, less than 60 miles from the border with Russia. Where the threat of an invasion always looms in a country established in the 13^th century, yet with about a combined total of 56 years of independence since the 1700’s.

Registration is now open, but we are down slightly in numbers compared to a year ago.  Even though it is early in the registration cycle, one concern is that we have no Trailers registered for the Central Route. I am sure this number with change but as a result there is currently no leadership identified in the Trailer platoon.

Please get the word out for people to register so that we can determine how many platoons we require.

Early Bird registration fees for the Cross Country Routes are $100 per person until January 31, 2026, when it will then increase to $120 per person on February 1^st. The Sandbox Registration fee is $40 per person and goes up to $60 per person after February 1, 2026.

The Central Route leadership is currently reviewing the route itinerary and volunteer submissions.  Volunteers are still needed for several positions along the route.  As the forms come in, they are sent to the various teams leads for review.

Volunteer Sign Up

Shorter riding days are now upon us, especially in the northern latitudes and it would probably be a good time to figure out how to configure and/or mount your latest gadgets to your bike and test it out now rather than in May on I-40.  The RFTW forum is an excellent way to find out what others are doing to their bikes as well as configuring their GMRS radio.  Also be sure to check out our partners on the Merchandise page for deep discounts on riding gear.

RFTW Podcasts

Be sure to check out the RFTW Podcasts. Hitch and Boots spend a lot of time and effort in the production of these informational discussions, and you might even learn something.  Be sure to subscribe to the RFTW channel on YouTube so that RFTW can earn some money.

Condolences and prayers go out to the Family and Friends of RFTW Director of Operations, Michael” Wizard” Turner as well as healing prayers to his wife, Linda, as she recovers from her injuries.

 

Celebrating the United States Navy’s 250^th Birthday.

On Friday, October 13th, 1775, the Continental Congress voted to fit out two sailing vessels, armed with ten carriage guns, as well as swivel guns, and manned by crews of eighty men, and to send them out to intercept transports carrying munitions and stores to the British army in America.  This was the birth of what today is the United States Navy.  Over the course of the War, the Continental Navy sent more than fifty-armed vessels to sea.  These vessels were used to seize enemy supplies as well as carrying correspondence and diplomats to Europe, returning with much needed munitions.  If it were not for these supplies, the revolution would not have succeeded.

 

In closing, let’s remember our Mission Statement, Philosophy and Goals:

Mission Statement

To promote healing among all veterans and their family and friends

Call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War & Missing in Action (POW/MIA)

Honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA)

Support our military people all over the world

 

Run for the Wall Philosophy

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. and the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial in Marseilles, Illinois in the hope they can return home to a new beginning.

 

Run for the Wall Goals

To guide the participants safely across America.

To educate future generations on the importance of accountability in wartime actions, emphasizing that no one should be left behind.

 

Keep these things in mind going forward. Remember this is a mission of healing and politics does not play a role during the Run. Let’s all be nice to one another.

Is it May yet?

Jim “Who?” McDonough
XXXVI Central Route Coordinator

I just returned from the Angel Fire Reunion and was thoroughly amazed and impressed at the RFTW support for this event.

Over 100 RFTW riders gathered at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial at Angel Fire, New Mexico to participate in this annual Veteran’s Brick laying event where over five hundred bricks were honored and placed. This event would not have been possible if not for the hard work of a few RFTW riders in the preparation and placement of the area where the bricks were to be placed.

Thank you to all that attended and helped with the event. I am sure many of the brick runners achieved their 10,000 steps for the day. A special thanks to our New Mexico State Coordinator, Patti “Yogi” Finley for arranging the meals, and to Kathryn “Literal E” Ewing and Kenny “Scooter” Keelin who set up this event. Scooter spent countless hours with his personal equipment preparing the base where the bricks were to be laid. A handful of RFTW volunteers worked with Scooter and did the challenging work of moving and setting the bricks in place. Some even stayed through Sunday, putting the finishing touches on the bricks after they were placed.

This event inspired one individual so much that he decided to write a poem about it.

The mist was thick this crispy morn,
like it was I’m sure back when.
How could they tell these stories?
Where would you ever begin?

They came from every background.
Winter, spring, summer and fall.
Willing to serve this great nation,
willing to answer the call.

Now, once a year they gather.
Not for the laud or the fame.
Simply to honor the sacrifice,
only to give them a name.

And so they call out each soldier.
Gratefully name them aloud.
So that angels and families and loved ones,
have reason and cause to be proud.

May the record’s in Heaven bear witness.
May the cause and the glory be true.
May we never forget why they did this…..
….. They did it for me and for you.

30 Aug’25 DRS

Registration for the 2026 Run for The Wall opens on September 11, 2025, at 0846 am Eastern Time.

Early Bird registration fees for the Cross Country Routes are $100 per person until January 31, 2026, when it will then increase to $120 per person. The Sandbox Registration fee is $40 per person and goes up to $60 per person after February 1, 2026.

If you didn’t recognize the significance of the date and time of when registration opens, that is when American Airlines Flight 11 impacted into the North Tower of the World Trade Center 24 years ago. Many of you remember where you were and what you were doing that dreadful day as it changed our lives forever. I knew the first officer of American Airlines Flight 11, Tom “Stout” McGuinness, from my days in the Navy.

Never forget the sacrifices and lives lost that day.

Please register early so we can determine platoon numbers and sizes.

Planning for the Run is progressing with many of the key positions being filled and as the countdown continues toward May 13, 2026, one can expect further openings and shuffling of jobs to occur.

There are still many spots to fill so please volunteer and help out the Run! It takes a lot of people to get all of us across the country.

Is it May yet?

Jim “Who?” McDonough
XXXVI Central Route Coordinator

August is now upon us and planning and preparations for the 2026 Run are underway. The inventory of our route equipment has been completed and a huge “Thank you” goes out to Tommy “Two Chains” Cranford for taking care of this mundane but necessary task.

The annual face to face meeting was held between the Route Coordinators and the rest of the Board of Directors. Be sure to read the President’s Message, which highlights some of the changes that were made to our operating procedures that affect the Central Route.

The Angel Fire Reunion will be held August 29-31, 2025. My message early in July described the work party and registration for this event can be found below.  If you plan on attending, please register sooner than later.

Angel Fire Registration Link

ARC, Todd “Horton” Taylor, Road Guard Captain, Ted “Boots” Kapner and I are putting together our Central Route Team for 2026 and volunteer forms have been slowly coming in for the Run.  As they come in, they will be forwarded to the appropriate team leaders.   If you are interested in a position on the Central Route, don’t be shy and please fill out a volunteer form. This ride takes a lot of people to be successful and anything you can do to help the Run will be much appreciated.

Platoon Leaders are still being vetted and when selected, we be working with the Platoon Coordinator for the selection of Assistant Platoon Leaders and Tail Gunners.  Road Guards, Staging, Fuel, Ambassadors, Outreach, and Chaplain volunteers will be selected by those team leads, with RC approval.

Don’t be discouraged if a team is full as things always change between now and May.

There are many unfilled openings, specifically Platoon Coordinator, Raffle Rouser, 50/50 Rouser, as well as a Videographer.  If you’re interested in any position on the Central Route fill out the volunteer form or give me a call.

Registration for the 36^th Annual Run for the Wall opens on September 11, 2025.  Registration fee for the Run will be $100 until January 31, 2026 and then $120 after that.  Insurance is a large factor for the increase in the registration fee.

The focus for the RFTW XXXVI will be commemorating the 35th Anniversary of the End of the Gulf War.

Enjoy the rest of the summer. Be safe out there and remember to hydrate!

See you at Angel Fire, New Mexico in a couple of weeks!

 

“…Bring ’em on home from ‘Nam

They’ve been a long time gone but still not forgotten

We’ll man this watch until they’re accounted for…”

From the song, “Bring ’em on Home from ‘Nam” by Reggie Gates & Tim Nowland

 

Remember their Names. Honor Them All.

Jim “Who?” McDonough
XXXVI Central Route Coordinator

Registration for the Angel Fire Workday/Reunion is now open.

Registration link

Date:  Friday, August 29th to Sunday, August 31st with Taco Bar on Friday night, and Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, August 30, 2025

Thursday and Friday 29 August & 30 August:   

Preparation of grounds and Bricks. Location-Meet at the Memorial

1:00 PM Thursday-Volunteers needed to shovel and rake the base layer of sand.

9:00 AM Friday- General Area Preparations and Sorting of Bricks

Friday Evening 29 August, 6 PM

Reception at Laguna Vista Saloon

Saturday 30 August-At the Memorial

7:00 AM Pre-Program Activity & Set Up (Breakfast Burritos/Coffee Provided for workers)

8:30 AM Opening Ceremony. Followed by Brick laying of Westphal Foundation Bricks.

9:00 AM Medal of Honor Brick Laying.

12:00 PM (Approx.) Lunch provided to workers.

2:30 PM (Approx.) End of Workday – After last brick is laid the workday will conclude. Volunteers to help clean up and put away equipment will be needed and appreciated.

6:00 PM Dinner and Rider’s Forum (Laguna Vista Saloon/Restaurant) (Dinner cost is $45.00 per pre-registered person-Includes Reunion Patch). Any registrations received after August 18th will  be $55 per person (if the caterer can accommodate the addition).

Sunday 31 August

TBD

Please Complete the registration form and register for the Reunion. Payment of $45.00 per attendee needs to be received NO LATER than August 18, 2025. After August 18th, 2025 contact jim.mcdonough@rftw.us (360-731-0808) directly. ALL PAYMENTS MUST  BE RECEIVED BY THE 18th of August.

REGISTRATION LINK

The Dog days of Summer are upon us and to the riders, newcomers, and supporters (especially the FNG’s or friendly new guy or gal) welcome to the 36th Annual Run for the Wall!  The Run leaves Ontario, CA on May 13, 2026 and rest assured planning is already underway for this incredible journey.

My name is Jim McDonough, and my road name is “Who?” and I am honored to be your 2026 Run for the Wall, Central Route Coordinator.  The Board of Directors has also approved Todd “Facetime” Taylor as the Assistant Route Coordinator.  My heartfelt thanks and appreciation goes out to the RFTW Board for our selection.

I would be remiss if I did not express my heartfelt appreciation and gratefulness to RC Kirk Olson, Senior Mentor Nick Hentges and Road Guard Captain Ken Ward as well as the rest of the 2025 Central Route leadership for their support and dedication to the Run.

A little about me, my father served in the Navy and in the Vietnam War.  As a result, I moved a lot while growing up, but this allowed me to see this country and travel overseas.  I have lived the longest in the Puget Sound area and have now settled in the Bremerton, Washington area.  I am a Navy Veteran having served aboard several aircraft carriers, flying the venerable EA-6B “Prowler” and deployed around the world during the Cold War, Middle East Conflicts and finally in Afghanistan.  I retired from the Navy in 2014.

My first year on the Run was in 2022 and I’ve ridden “All the Way” and “Wall to Wall” every year since. I have held various positions on the Run, most recently as the Assistant Route Coordinator.

My ARC, Todd Taylor is also a veteran of the Run having served in Platoon leadership roles, Road Guard, State Coordinator and Director of Purchasing for the RFTW.

For Those New to the Run: Everyone is welcome to ride with us, whether you have served or not

You do not need to ride all the way from Ontario, CA to Washington, D.C. or from D.C. to Marseilles, IL to be a part of the Run.  Although, most will tell you it is a most fulfilling experience to go “Coast to Coast” and “Wall to Wall,” where you see first-hand the people, scenery, and splendor that our country has to offer.  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 in some way.

We honor and Ride for Those Who Can’t

The Mission of Run for the Wall, and you will hear this many, many  times, 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.

Angel Fire Reunion

RFTW Angel Fire Reunion and workday.  This reunion/work party will take place from Friday, August 29 to Saturday, August 30, 2025.  Most people arrive on Friday and then leave on Sunday morning.  If you wish to come a day early on Thursday, or stay later than Sunday, that is up to you.  This event is open to all and would love to have anyone from our other Routes or the public to attend.  Although it is not an official RFTW event, Angel Fire is a stop on the Central Route in May, and during this August event we lay memorial bricks along the walkways of the memorial. Road Guard, Kenny “Scooter” Keelin, arrives a few days early and preps the area where the bricks are to be laid. Each brick has the name and service dates of any service member, living or deceased. Before being placed, their name is read aloud and solemnly placed on the memorial grounds by an RFTW rider.  Lunch is provided by the Memorial on Saturday, August 30.  Your registration fee will include dinner on Saturday night.  You are responsible for making your own lodging reservations in Eagle Nest, NM or Angel Fire, NM.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial – David Westphall Veterans Foundation

Photos from last year’s event can be found here:

2024 Angel Fire Reunion – Run For The Wall

The registration fees will be posted once I am able to get the evening meal finalized.

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.

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.  Please visit the volunteer page and sign up, if you are so inclined. If there any questions about what you can do, please feel free to contact me.

Volunteer Sign-Up – Run For The Wall®

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

Thank you for your time and as we head out for the holiday weekend to celebrate the founding of our nation, it is time to remember, when almost 250 years ago, John Lind, Councilor during the reign of King George III and who greatly underestimated the upstart Colonialists, referring to the Declaration of Independence as  “…the most harmless piece of parchment that ever was sent forth into the world.”

But, John Adams, a signer of the Declaration declared, “The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America.  I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.  It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.  It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

So be like John Adams and enjoy yourself in celebration our Nation’s 249^th birthday but be safe and be responsible; and 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.

Jim “Who?” McDonough

XXXVI Central Route Coordinator