
And just like that, we are ~40 days from KSU.
It seems like just the other day I was watching the snows of January and February, thinking how nice it would be when May arrived. The weather is slowly getting warmer, bringing with it the promise of our upcoming Mission.
RFTW Mission Statement
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.
If you haven’t yet prepared your body or your bike for the Run, it isn’t too late. How are your tires? Have you changed the oil? Have you checked the brakes and lights? Have you been able to take any extended rides? Have you considered applying a waterproofing spray or something similar to your rain gear? Have you been exercising? Have you loaded your gear on your bike and checked the security of the gear? Have you ridden it to become familiar with how the bike handles?
I know our RCs and their leadership teams have been working diligently to align all the necessary components that need to fall into place for their respective routes. There have been several fundraising activities, an essential element for the charitable work done on our routes.
Speaking of fundraising, I’d like to address a couple of issues that have surfaced in the last couple of years. First off, you cannot openly solicit support for the costs of your participation in the name of Run For The Wall. The respective RC must approve fundraising activities, and all funds received must be properly accounted for. While you can privately accept donations to support your participation, you cannot use the name or intellectual property of Run For The Wall to solicit private donations. Your RC has all the fundraising guidelines and rules, so please reach out to them before beginning any fundraising efforts. It is crucial that we conduct fundraising activities within the allowable guidelines.
We are still seeking a unique individual to join the Board as our new treasurer. The announcement can be viewed here. In the meantime, we are seeking someone to serve as an assistant to our treasurer. If you are interested, please send an email with a brief outline of your knowledge and experience with standard electronic tools, such as spreadsheets, to treasurer@rftw.us. This could lead to a position on the Board if you are interested.
Both our DC and Ontario coordinators have been busy setting up events. We are still working on the permit issue for the ride to Riverside National Cemetery. The Park Service has our application and is working diligently to process the request. We are planning to have a special speaker at RNC, so this year promises to be a truly special event.
The motorcycle skills practice session last year was very well received. Once again, we’re doing it this year. Details are located here. Two certified instructors will be present to assist in the practice sessions. Slow-speed skills are critical, especially when maneuvering in staging or at the gas pumps.
Suffice it to say that Saturday in DC will be a busy day. Our photo time at the Mall is at 9:00, with a 9:30 Mission Accomplished ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. As was the case last year, we must check our voices and maintain a reverent silence at the Mall for the photo. The construction is ongoing, and the Park Service has warned us that chanting, group singing, and other similar activities are prohibited and will not be tolerated. Failure to respect these guidelines may prevent us from gathering for a photo in the future. Individuals who violate these guidelines may risk having our permit application denied by the Park Service in the future. We are under their permit – we need everyone to respect their rules and remind others who start getting loud. The wreath-laying ceremony will be held at ANC at 1315 hrs. For those not selected to ride in, you can ride up to the parking lot area, process into ANC as a regular visitor, and either walk or take the shuttle to the Tomb. The ANC staff has limited us to 300 total attendees, 75 motorcycles with 150 riders. Your RCs have the respective details for participation by each Route.
On Saturday afternoon, the Hogs and Heroes Foundation is sponsoring a bash at Old Glory Harley, 11800 Laurel-Bowie Road, Laurel, Maryland, from 1000 to 1800. Molly Hatchet will be the premier band during the event. General admission is free; VIP tickets are $65 in advance and $75 at the gate. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.eastcoastthunder.com. RFTW will have a small presence there, including a merchandise trailer and an information booth. A special thank you to Hitch for volunteering to staff the information booth.
A question was recently posted on the RFTW Forums regarding Cuts or Colors from other organizations. We have no restrictions, even for 1%’ers. We recommend that you check to ensure you respect the boundaries of different clubs. We’ve had AL riders wearing their cuts for years, and with the proliferation of Fire and Ice, Blue Knights, and others, we welcome all. Veterans are veterans; patriots are patriots. We invite all to participate.
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!!
With that, I leave you with a few thoughts regarding why we ride.
“If you are able, save them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always.
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.
And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.”
—- Major Michael Davis O’Donnell 1 January 1970 Dak To, Vietnam
—-Michael Davis O’Donnell is on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Panel 12W, Line 040.
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.
Back to Basics. Back to the RFTW Mission.
Is it May yet?
See you in Ontario!!!!
John “Turkey” Staub
President, RFTW, Inc.
2011- CR FNG
2012 – CR Participant
2013 – CR Staging Team
2014 – 2015 – CR Staging Team Ass’t. Lead
2016-2017 – CR Staging Team Lead
2022 – CR Platoon Coordinator
2023-2024 – CR/SB Road Guard