Author: Jim McDonough

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