Kirk Olson, Author at Run For The Wall®

Posted on May 3, 2025 by Kirk Olson

May 2025 Central Route Newsletter

*(This newsletter is best read at this link.)
Central Route! May is finally here!! I have already heard of reports that some riders are already making their way west. Some people like to visit family along the way and take their time.

As I mentioned last month, if you are starting in CA, Central Route is going to do things a little bit different this year. It is my aim to cut down on some of the multiple and sometimes seemingly redundant meetings we have had in the past, specifically in Ontario. We will have ONE Central Route ALL HANDS meeting, at the Holiday Inn (2155 E Convention Center Way, Ontario, CA 91764) in the large ballroom at 1PM on Tuesday, May 13. This meeting is for FNG’s, all riders, and folks in leadership – All Hands. It is hours earlier than in the past, to give people time to rest, relax, and prepare for the next day’s departure. I always hated us going up against the dinner hour the night before we leave, and now I get to fix that and try something new. It is my aim that this is a positive change for the better. We are cutting a separate FNG meeting, separate “leadership meeting”, and then having an all hands on top of all of that. Team leads will still have their meetings, but that is on them to schedule around our one Central Route ALL Hands.

The Central Route Itinerary is out and published. The Ontario schedule is also published. PDF of it is here.

Let’s talk about the Kansas Turnpike Toll Road:
Thanks to the hard work of Dan Webster of CVMA 21-4 and ABATE of KS District 4 our tolls in KS are going to be covered. IMPORTANT: All riders and support vehicles on Central Route that register after April 30th MUST notify the Registration team when you check in so they can make note of your vehicle plate number and state. Also, if you are in or on a different vehicle than indicated on your online registration let them know, otherwise you will receive a toll bill from the Kansas Turnpike Authority. Please register with the Registration Team on May 18th at the Eagles Lodge (supper location) as soon as possible if you plan to join RFTW at Junction City. The cut off time for Last Minute Moe’s, anyone who registered after April 30th, is around 7:30 p.m. to get your license plate entered into the system to get your toll covered. If you register the morning of May 19th your toll will NOT be covered.

If you have a DriveKS or KTAG account, you need to deactivate the tag of the vehicle you will be using for RFTW before May 19, or you will get a toll charge along with Dan’s DriveKS account being charged. Make sure to not deactivate your tag before you travel west in case you use the Kansas Turnpike on your way to join RFTW.

It’s very easy to deactivate. Log in to your DriveKS or KTag account. Under the tab “Vehicles & KTAGs”, click on “View All Vehicles and KTAGs”, next click on “View and Edit All Vehicles”, find the vehicle you will be using and click on “Make Inactive”. Then after May 19th, go in and make it active again. This can also be done using the DriveKS app from your phone and it works exactly the same way.

This is the first year RFTW is going through the cashless tolling process in Kansas. Many other states have been doing this for many years on toll roads. So I’m hoping this goes as smoothly as possible for this year and future years.

One quick note about the GMRS Radios. BTECH recently released in January a large, new firmware update 0.8.0, and now 0.8.3 for the GMRS-PRO radio. This update added a VOX feature. If you did or do any of these updates, check and make sure to DISABLE or double-check that the VOX FEATURE is DISABLED! This could potentially cause too many unnecessary ”open mic” transmissions. You should not use VOX on The Run.

To Disable:
From the front panel of the radio:
MENU > Radio Settings > UNCHECK Enable Vox

(make sure there is no checkmark under this feature and setting)

Additionally, on a side note, when connecting to a Sena headset, you sometimes might hear a never-ending loud beeping. The fix for this is to roll the volume all the way down on the jog dial of the Sena, and then back up to where you want it.

Register for the 2025 Run now

Registration is now $75 until April 30th. Then it goes to $90. Price is slightly lower under the Day Rider Program. Go to the registration page now. Everyone is highly encouraged to REGISTER for RFTW in 2025 now. This helps us make an accurate plan for May. If you are in Leadership you need to be getting registered now, if not already. Your registration is your indication to us that you are committing to your volunteer position. FNGs please also register as early as you can. We know plans can change. This immensely helps our State Coordinators plan for meals, etc. Your registration fee basically covers, the privilege to ride with the Run in the pack, which in-turn gets you breakfast, lunch, and dinner at all of our stops across the country that is provided by our donors and supporters. We could not do it without them.

I look forward to seeing everyone in-person starting next week! Ride safe and see you soon!

Honor and Remember Them All.
Remember, RFTW Riders are Built Different.

Kirk “Pretty Boy” Olson
kirk.olson@rftw.us
RFTW Central Route Coordinator – 2025
Asst. Route Coordinator – 2024
Road Guard Captain – 2023
Asst. Road Guard Captain – 2019
RFTW Board of Directors – 2016-2019
Road Guard 2010-2018
FNG 2009

If you have not seen from previous newsletters by me or the other Route Coordinators from Southern, Midway, and Sandbox, RFTW is moving to GMRS for our on-road communications. This is not as big of a transition for us on Central Route this year in 2025, since we piloted the GMRS radios in 2024, and they worked very well. My advice to you all is to get the radio now, and learn how to use, pair, and connect them to your helmet speakers or ear drums. Also, help our friends on Southern, Midway, and Sandbox get theirs set-up and paired. Personally, I use a Sena 50S paired to the radio, and I paired the radio as PHONE 2, to the radio. See Sena directions, on how to do this.

**See this post on Where and What to Buy, and all things GMRS for RFTW.**

**See this Post for Videos on how to Program the radios** or here.

Posted on April 7, 2025 by Kirk Olson

April 2025 Central Route Newsletter

*(This newsletter is best read at this link.)
RFTW and Central Route Riders! It is almost here! We are 37-days until kickstands up, and the commencement of RFTW 2025 – The 35th Annual Run! I mentioned this before, but it is time to get yourself and your motorcycle in tip top shape. I took my bike in last Saturday to get new tires, and my dealer discovered that I also needed a new front-wheel, wheel bearing. Additionally, they also discovered that my faring was a little loose, and needed some tightening. The more you can do to prevent breakdowns on the run the better you will be. But always know that we have our Chase Trucks for cases when people do breakdown or get flats, etc.

There have been some additional questions regarding our fuel stickers on Central Route. From my newsletter in February, the sticker is $35.00 per motorcycle or trike. It is your ticket and passport to jump in our fuel line at any of our stops. You will purchase the sticker with CASH when you check-in and get your registration materials in Ontario or at any of our overnight stops along the way. If you don’t have a fuel sticker, you will not be allowed to pump fuel in our fuel line(s) to get RFTW paid, sponsored and donated fuel.

Central Route is going to do things a little bit different this year. It is my aim to cut down on some of the multiple and sometimes seemingly redundant meetings we have had in the past, specifically in Ontario. We will have one Central Route ALL HANDS meeting, at the Holiday Inn (2155 E Convention Center Way, Ontario, CA 91764) in the large ballroom at 11AM on Tuesday, May 13. This meeting is for FNG’s, all riders, and folks in leadership – All Hands. It is hours earlier than in the past, to give people time to rest, relax, and prepare for the next day’s departure. I always hated us going up against the dinner hour the night before we leave, and now I get to fix that and try something new. It is my aim that this is a positive change for the better. We are cutting a separate FNG meeting, separate “leadership meeting”, and then having an all hands on top of all of that. Team leads will still have their meetings, but that is on them to schedule around our one Central Route ALL Hands.

The Central Route Itinerary is out and published. See details here on how to put it on your iPhone, and print a copy for yourself. Note that the cover of our booklet is a replica of the RFTW graphic that was used on the FIRST RFTW in 1989. If you are joining us somewhere other than Ontario, my recommendation is that you join us at any of our overnight stops, as far WEST as you can, so you can experience as much of what is in-store, as possible. My FNG year in 2009, I joined in Burlington, CO that year, as that was our overnight (We now do Limon, CO). I loved it immediately, and regretted not joining further west. Regardless, do as much of it as you can, and your schedule allows.

Let’s talk a little bit more about our Vietnam Veterans, and this years’ Run in particular. The Vietnam Veteran platoon will ride up front behind the Missing Man formation and our six-pack the entire journey to DC. To ride in this platoon, you need to have received the Vietnam campaign medal/ribbon. My father, Harlan Olson, will be the platoon leader for the Vietnam veteran platoon, Rod George will be the assistant, and Mike Hodge will be the tail gunner. All of them have YEARS of experience with RFTW, and my dad, Harlan Olson was the Central Route Coordinator for the 30th Run in 2018.

Speaking of Vietnam, I had the opportunity to go to Saigon in early 2019 (now called Ho Chi Minh City), as my company at the time had our global sales meeting there. My dad was stationed in Saigon in 1964 with the US Army Security Agency, 3rd Radio Research Unit. The Army Security Agency was basically the Army’s version of the NSA. I recalled him telling stories a few times of his time there and The Caravelle Hotel, where he would hang out sometimes, and since I was there, I recreated a photo of him in 1964. The images below will enlarge when you click on them.

On Friday, May 16, 2025 when we arrive at the Angel Fire Vietnam Memorial this year in New Mexico, on Day 3, we will lay two memorial bricks, just like we do every year over Labor Day Weekend when RFTW riders lay a few hundred bricks. We will honor and remember Arthur Wayne Glover, from Harrisburg, PA and Donald Richard Taylor from Morristown, TN. These men were also in the Army Security Agency in Saigon, and they were both killed on the same day during the same incident in 1964. They were ages 24 and 21 when they were killed, and their names are on Panel 1E, Line 43 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall. This will be an ALL HANDS Event when we get to the Memorial on May 16, and will take just a few minutes. Below is a video of what a brick laying entails over Labor Day Weekend.

To Disable:
From the front panel of the radio:
MENU > Radio Settings > UNCHECK Enable Vox

(make sure there is no checkmark under this feature and setting)

Register for the 2025 Run now

Honor and Remember Them All.
Remember, RFTW Riders are Built Different.

**See this post on Where and What to Buy, and all things GMRS for RFTW.**

**See this Post for Videos on how to Program the radios** or here.

Posted on March 25, 2025 by Kirk Olson

2025 Central Route Itinerary is now Published @ www.rftw.us

Greetings from RFTW and the CENTRAL ROUTE! –
May is 37-days away, and KSU is in 50-days!

We are pleased to announce that the Official 2025 Central Route Itinerary is complete and posted! This is your 10-Day Daily Schedule. Get familiar with it. Use it. Put it on your phone, or print a hard copy for yourself.

It can be viewed and downloaded here:
https://rftw.us/central-route-hub

Additionally, if you want to PRINT a hard copy BOOKLET for yourself, the best thing to do is use this PRINT version, and print using the PRINT BOOKLET Option with Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader.

TWO VERSIONS – Screen and PRINT

Put on your phone version – Click here
Print booklet version, using Print Booklet function of Adobe Acrobat – Click Here (Save file to your computer first.)
**Instructions on how to PRINT BOOKLET Here. Must be able to print on two sides of paper. Click here for instructions.** The MAP pages are on the LONG EDGE in the PRINT Version, and they are rotated for easier viewing in the Phone version.

To download and put the itinerary on your Apple iPhone click on the itinerary link at the Central Hub, then follow these instructions below.

Save and View PDFs to the Books app on your iPhone or iPad

Use Apple Books to save and view PDFs.

Tap the link above and get the itinerary PDF to open it.

Tap the Share button
Swipe left over the app icons and tap Books.

If you can’t see Books, tap the More button. Then tap Books.

Your PDF will open and save automatically in the Books app. You can find it later in the Library tab.

If you own an Android, follow these instructions:
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/hub/how-to-read-pdfs-on-android.html

See you in May!

Honor and Remember Them All.
Remember, RFTW Riders are Built Different.

**See this post on Where and What to Buy, and all things GMRS for RFTW.**

**See this Post for Videos on how to Program the radios** or here.

Posted on February 16, 2025February 18, 2025 by Kirk Olson

February 2025 Central Route Newsletter

*(This newsletter is best read at this link.)
RFTW and Central Route Riders! We are 87-days until kickstands up, and the commencement of RFTW 2025 – The 35th Annual Run! Can you feel it yet? I hope so. Now is the time to really start getting yourself and your bike in tip-top shape for this years RFTW. Relatively speaking we don’t travel super long distances each day, but we do typically start early in the mornings, and by the time evening rolls around you are ready for rest. Please do your best to make sure that you can endure. Exercise now. Walk. Do whatever is good for you, but it will help.

I have GREAT NEWS to report. This year on Central Route we will be doing Pre-Paid Fuel stickers again, as we have done the past couple of years. In 2025 the Central Route Pre-Paid Fuel Stickers will be $35.00 per motorcycle or trike. Yes, you read that right — $35.00. This will cover your fuel from Ontario, CA to Washington, DC. Some of our fuel stops are donated by organizations and individuals, and some are not. The fuel sticker covers you from coast-to-coast and is your “ticket” to jump in our RFTW fuel line and get fuel. It also helps cover the cost of fuel for our Chase Truck team of drivers and our Last Man Vehicle, for those that break down and need to be picked up by that crew. You will pay this when you check-in and pick up your registration materials in Ontario, or any of our overnight stops where you register and check-in. Please have your fuel sticker monies in CASH when you CHECK-IN at registration, and you will then receive the sticker to put on your bike. There is no excuse to not get a fuel sticker in 2025, actually at this price, let’s just call it a requirement.

Speaking of Check-in, if you are joining us somewhere in the middle of the country (not Ontario) Check-in is open at the evening dinner stops, and before the morning meetings the day we depart. These are your only two times each day to check-in with our registration team — Evening at dinner, and before the morning meetings.

Route planning is underway and is actually just about complete. We will put the final touches on our route plan with our State Coordinators and Crew & Team Leads on a March 4th Conference Call. For those that may not know, about 12 or so years ago, Mike “Dadbo” Owen put our entire route on Google Earth. To this day, we use what he originally put together on Google Earth for our planning purposes. Over the years he has put countless and countless hours into this work. He took a break from it for a few years, and then Chuck “Mr. Priority” Brown, did it for a few years. (Speaking of Chuck, I gave him that road name, and it is a HILARIOUS STORY. Ask him or me about it sometime.)

I asked Dadbo if he could be our planner again this year, and he graciously said YES. So, if any of you “map enthusiasts” out there would like to see what our route looks like on Google Earth, feel free to take a look at this “View Only” version online – here. When the page loads, click on the BACK Button next to my picture that will show up in the page in the top left corner. From there you can double-click and drill down on any of the days and stops.

Register for the 2025 Run now

In the coming few weeks, FNGs will be getting contacted by Scott Gatton, our Platoon Coordinator, with the help of Nick Hentges our 2025 Route Mentor (2024 RC). We would like to pre-assign platoons, as much as possible, so platoon members can meet their platoon leaders and their platoon crew before the run. If you are coming on the run WITH a Group or friend, and want to be in the same platoon, they will need to know that information.

Some of you may or may not know this, but my father Harlan Olson, was the Central Route Coordinator for the 30th RFTW. This was way back in 2018 before any of us knew what AI, TikTok, or COVID was. I always thought he did a great job with the video he made that year, and it pretty much holds up to today, except for the fuel part, as we have moved to fuel stickers. I now have the privilege of leading the 35th RFTW, and we are the first Father-Son RC’s in RFTW. Here is that video he made in the fall of 2017 for the 2018 RFTW, edited and produced by Chuck “Mr. Priority” Brown. BTW, he will be the platoon leader for the Central Route Vietnam Veterans platoon this year.

2018 Central Route Coordinator Video

Honor and Remember Them All.
Remember, RFTW Riders are Built Different.

**See this post on Where and What to Buy, and all things GMRS for RFTW.**

**See this Post for Videos on how to Program the radios** or here.

Donate to the RFTW and the Central Route

If you find it within your heart to support Run for the Wall and RFTW Central Route, please consider making a donation. This will help make RFTW 2025 and the 35th Annual Run a complete success. Donate Online – Here

You can also Zelle a donation directly to: central.route@rftw.us
*Most banks now support Zelle transfers.

Or mail a check to:
Run for the Wall Inc.
Central Route
50 Fourth Ave Unit 1445
Dayton, NV 89403

Run For The Wall® Inc. EIN 36-4125559
Run For The Wall® is a 501(c)(3) tax deductible organization.

Posted on January 8, 2025January 10, 2025 by Kirk Olson

January 2025 Central Route Newsletter

Happy New Year to RFTW and Central Route Riders! We are 4-months and 1-week until kickstands up, and the commencement of RFTW 2025 – The 35th Annual Run!

(This newsletter is best read at this link.)

The hotel list officially will be released on Jan 10. Remember, if some place is full, there are always neighboring hotels and options that may not be on the list. Let Google be your friend.

I’d like to start the New Year – 2025 with a bit of reflection on 2024. Personally, for me it was a challenging year, at least in my professional life. I still work full-time, unlike all of you “retired” guys and gals out there. I was laid-off, but I look at it this way… I would not be where I am now if it had not been for that little bit of discomfort. After the layoff happened, I reached out to the company I used to sell against, one thing led to another, and they snapped me up immediately. And I am much happier and better for it.

I’ve been doing RFTW every year since 2009. I’ve seen it all; sun, heat, rain, snow, and cold, and even hail. It does not matter which route you do, we’ve all had our share of mother nature’s wrath. Southern Route years ago had a Run now known as, “To Hail and Back”, and several years later a thunderstorm followed them almost literally from coast-to-coast. They were drenched when they got to DC. On Central Route years ago (2011) we encountered a little bit of snow in ARIZONA of all places! A year later we rode thru a storm on the way to Junction City, KS, and we were drenched when we got there. I looked like I jumped into a swimming pool with my clothes on. My point in telling you these stories, is that you as a rider need to be prepared. As leadership, we have the safety of the Pack always on our minds. Most years it’s quite normal. In my opinion, I think overall we have some of the most temperate weather, like Goldilocks… Not too hot , and not too cold. I’ve done RFTW many, many times with pleasant weather coast-to-coast, where it didn’t even rain. 2024 was a different story. I was the Asst Route Coordinator in 2024, and our RC then, Nick told me to take the pack from our lunch stop in Oakley, KS to our fuel stop in Bunker Hill, KS. Before we left, myself and several others checked weather radar, and there was no weather ahead on the route. 30-minutes into our leg a storm blew up around us out of nowhere, and it started to hail. We eventually, made it to our stop, and all riders were accounted for. We had to wait for the storm to pass, and we made it into Junction City later in the evening. People in the local area called this a once in a 75-year event. So, the good news is we should be clear for 2025!!

I reflect on this because a local, someone in Kansas saw us and posted about us, and we found out about it the next day. This guy was part of a storm watch group. Anyway, he posted, from his vehicle on I-70, “West of Hays, KS. 3-inch hail and tornado warning. POW/MIA bikers are built different.”

That really stuck with me because YOU the people that do RFTW, that come back year-after-year, you FNGs that do this for the first time, YOU ALL ARE DIFFERENT. We are on a Mission, and We Ride for Those Who Can’t. You/We ride with honor, pride, and integrity, never forgetting those that came before us, and those that paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy.. And that gentleman from Kansas was right — Run for the Wall Riders ARE BUILT DIFFERENT. I tell you this because that will also be our motto for the 2025 Central Route 35th Annual Run.

Click this link if you can’t see the embedded post below from that gentleman in Kansas:
https://www.facebook.com/RunForTheWall/posts/763425662574782

Route planning continues to be underway. As early as a couple of days ago, we were going to have a small detour around Albuquerque, NM, from Route 66 Casino gas stop, but our State Coordinator, Patti Finley continued to work with NM DOT, and they have assured us the route thru Albuquerque will now be the same as always. The issue was major construction at the interchange of I-40 and I-25. For you FNGs, the entire State of New Mexico gives us a border-to-border escort brigade of police and state troopers that shutdown I-40 and I-25 for us. I share this story with you, so you get a glimpse of what our hardworking State Coordinators do all-year long. They assist with the route plan, work with hotels for special rates, gas stops, meal coordination with volunteer organizations, and are the go-to persons in their respective states. When you see them, please give them a big thank you!

Central Route is in need of a Route Photographer and a Videographer. These can be one or two positions. If you have an eye for photography, or are a photography hobbyist/enthusiast, please get in touch with me directly at: kirk.olson@rftw.us. (If no one steps up we may have to resort to taking up a collection fund and/or start a Go Fund Me page to bribe Jerry Lanier from Southern Route, or Jim McCrain from Midway Route to be the photographer on Central Route for 2025.😂 In all seriousness, I hope to find as dedicated individuals as those guys, and our past and now retired photographers, Dan Eckstein and Alan Steiner.) Again, if you have the photo and/or video bug, please reach out to me.

Additionally, I am also seeking a TRIKE Platoon LEADER for Platoon 9. Same goes here, email me directly, kirk.olson@rftw.us.

For you new riders and FNGs, in the next coming month or two, you will be contacted by our Platoon Coordinator and Registration team. We like to pre-assign platoons before you join us, so you will know who your platoon leader will be and what platoon you’ll be in. You will be then able to get to know your platoon mates and leaders before you even show up.

Register for the 2025 Run now

Price of Registration increases FEBRUARY 1!! Get in on the lowest registration fee of $60 now! $60 registration fee is good thru Jan 31. Price is slightly lower under the Day Rider Program. Go to the registration page now. Everyone is highly encouraged to REGISTER for RFTW in 2025 now. This helps us make an accurate plan for May. If you are in Leadership you need to be getting registered now, if not already. Your registration is your indication to us that you are committing to your volunteer position. FNGs please also register as early as you can. We know plans can change.

The RFTW Forum is BACK and BETTER than ever!

This is where online RFTW discussion should happen.

The new and improved RFTW Forum is up and running. This is the FIRST place you should go and ask online questions about RFTW, Routes, Discuss, etc. It is a much better online community tool to keep topics organized. Facebook groups are great, but topics get lost in long threads. The RFTW Forum should be your first go to. It’s yours, it’s free, so please go and register and use it.

RFTW Forum

Volunteer forms have been coming in for 2025. I send them to the appropriate crew and team leaders when I get them. That being said, if you are interested in a volunteer position on Central Route, it’s also OK to reach out to that particular team or crew lead, in addition to sending in a form. Platoon Leaders pick their own APL’s and Tail Gunners (with RC approval). Road Guards, Staging, Fuel, Ambassadors, Outreach, Medical, and Chaplain volunteers are brought on by those team leads, and again approved by the RC. Don’t be discouraged if a team is full, there is a lot of time between now and May. Things always change. Central Route crews & teams are now just starting to be put together for 2025.

See you next month. Drop me an email anytime.

Honor and Remember Them All.
Remember, RFTW Riders are Built Different.

Kirk “Pretty Boy” Olson
kirk.olson@rftw.us
RFTW Central Route Coordinator – 2025
Asst. Route Coordinator – 2024
Road Guard Captain – 2023
Asst. Road Guard Captain – 2019
BoD of Directors – 2016-2019
Road Guard 2010-2018
FNG 2009

**See this post on Where and What to Buy, and all things GMRS for RFTW.**

**See this Post for Videos on how to Program the radios** or here.

Donate to the RFTW and the Central Route

You can also Zelle a donation directly to: central.route@rftw.us
*Most banks now support Zelle transfers.

Or mail a check to:
Run for the Wall Inc.
Central Route
50 Fourth Ave Unit 1445
Dayton, NV 89403

Run For The Wall® Inc. EIN 36-4125559
Run For The Wall® is a 501(c)(3) tax deductible organization.

Posted on December 14, 2024 by Kirk Olson

Central Route – December 2024 Newsletter

I hope this message finds everyone well as we start to prepare for the upcoming Holiday and Christmas Season. In regards specifically to the Run and Central Route, I can report that planning is going as smoothly as can be at this stage with us being 5-months out from kickstands up in May 2025. All of our State Coordinators have finalized our overnights with our partner hotels from Arizona to West Virginia (CA and DC Hotels are handled by the BoD), and they continue to work hard for fuel stops, donations, and working with our meal provider volunteers.

It is looking like we will officially be able to get into to Arlington National Cemetery again for an official wreath laying. There will be more specific details on this in regards to number of people and number of bikes we will be allowed.

Remember, this is going to be a very special Run in 2025 because it is the 35th Annual Run of RFTW and it is the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Again, as a reminder due to these special anniversaries, we are making an extra effort to salute and honor our Vietnam Veterans this year, as they are the ones that paved the way for RFTW, its mission, and to what it has become, and why it means so much to all of us today.

I am currently in need of a volunteer to be the back-up Photographer. And I am also seeking a Videographer. If you’re a photographer or videographer hobbyist, please get in touch with me at: kirk.olson@rftw.us

I wish you and your families the very best this Christmas and Holiday Season, and seeing you all in May 2025!

Remember those that serve. I’ll leave you with a special Christmas Story from WWI.

(The videos I’ve embedded, may only show properly if you go to this newsletter at the rftw website. Click on “Read on blog” in the upper right from the email.)

Christmas Truce of 1914

Kirk Olson
Route Coordinator 2025 – Central Route
kirk.olson@rftw.us | (303) 588-6125

Posted on October 22, 2024January 8, 2025 by Kirk Olson

October 2024 Central Route Newsletter

Happy almost Halloween, Run for the Wall Riders and Greetings from the Central Route!

Route planning continues to be underway. A few weeks ago we had our first Leadership meeting with all of the Team leads, and also held a meeting with all of our State Coordinators. In regards to the route, it will look much like last year. At this time, the only change from 2024 to 2025 will be our overnight on Day 8, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, and we will be overnighting and pulling into Hurricane, WV instead of Nitro, WV.

Due to it being the 35th Annual Run in May 2025, and the 50th Anniversary of the official end of the Vietnam War, we will be having a special “Vietnam Veterans” platoon. This platoon will be made up of Vietnam Veterans ONLY. At registration and check-in make sure that you tell our registration team to put you in this special platoon, if you are a Vietnam veteran, and would like to ride in this platoon. If the US Department of Defense bestowed the Vietnam campaign ribbon to you, you are welcome to request and ride in this platoon.

Register for the 2025 Run now

Everyone is highly encouraged to REGISTER for RFTW in 2025 now. This helps us make an accurate plan for May. If you are in Leadership you need to be getting registered now, if not already. Your registration is your indication to us that you are committing to your volunteer position. FNGs please also register as early as you can. We know plans can change.

There have been some questions on how to program the GMRS radios. As promised, How-to Videos have been made, and they are now posted in the RFTW Forum, and on YouTube.

How to Set-up and Program BTECH GMRS Pro Bluetooth Radio with iPhone or Android - Part 1

Program CTCSS Codes on BTECH GMRS Pro Bluetooth Radio without a phone or app. Part 2

How to pair BTECH GMRS Pro Bluetooth Radio to Sena or Cardo for motorcycling. Part 3

The RFTW Forum is BACK and BETTER than ever!

This is where online RFTW discussion should happen.

RFTW Forum

I can tell you as of now, I have openings for a Videographer. Staging is also going to need a few more bodies, as of now, as well.

See you next month. And drop me an email anytime.

Honor and Remember Them All,

**See this post on Where and What to Buy, and all things GMRS for RFTW.**

Additional GMRS Info

Donate to the RFTW and the Central Route

You can also Zelle a donation directly to: central.route@rftw.us
*Most banks now support Zelle transfers.

Or mail a check to:
Run for the Wall Inc.
Central Route
50 Fourth Ave Unit 1445
Dayton, NV 89403

Run For The Wall® Inc. EIN 36-4125559
Run For The Wall® is a 501(c)(3) tax deductible organization.

Posted on September 13, 2024 by Kirk Olson — 1 Comment

September 2024 – Central Route Newsletter

The end of August and early September is typically quite busy for RFTW riders. As I mentioned in my last newsletter, we were getting ready to do our Annual Reunion and Brick Laying at the Vietnam Memorial in Angel Fire, NM. This event happened over Labor Day Weekend a couple of weeks ago, and it was a success again. We laid a little over 500 memorial bricks on the grounds around those walkways. RFTW adopted this tradition over this weekend in 2008, and we have been doing it ever since.

For our new people and FNGs, we will also be stopping in Eagle Nest / Angel Fire, NM in May 2025, as this is also one of our official overnight stops. At this stop when we arrive, we will lay one memorial brick at the memorial as part of our arrival ceremony. Memorial bricks can be purchased for any veteran living or deceased and from any era.

There are several individuals that deserve extra special recognition in helping make this a success.

Thank you to: Patti Finley, Kenny Keelin, Kathryn Ewing, Kevin Riley, Blanca Alas-Riley, Harry Steelman, Mike McDole, Coreen Wood, John Grimes, Mike Sekiya, Eric Ammann, and Sonia Amman. You all went above and beyond. Thank you.

I noticed after I got home that Sonia Ammann did a very nice write-up on her personal Facebook page, and took some wonderful pictures. You can see that below.

Sonia, and her husband, Eric, are our Central Route Ambassador leads. They lead a team of seasoned RFTW riders that meet and greet our supporters that line overpasses and wave to us, as well as do community outreach to say THANK YOU to those that support us along our Mission across the US from Ontario, CA to Washington, DC, and the Vietnam Memorial.

Registration for our 35th Annual run is now open. We open registration every September 11th in remembrance of that fateful day. Please register early! It helps us tremendously to plan for logistics, meals, number of platoons, etc.

I do have an open need for a special position that we did not have last year. I am looking for a VIDEOGRAPHER. If you have experience in making quality videos and cinematography, please shoot me an email or call me. My contact info is on the Central Route Contact page.

In the next 30-days I will be holding a leadership zoom meeting with our state coordinators, and another for our Central Route leadership platoon, team and crew leads. Be on the look our for those meeting invites. Before that time, please start thinking about what you are going to need in order to make RFTW 2025 a success.

As you may have seen or heard, Ted Kapner and Taisha Harmon have started the new RFTW podcast, which you can view on Youtube, or listen to on Spotify and Apple Podcasts among other platforms. Take a listen… its pretty great!

RFTW Podcast

That’s about all I have for now. See you next month.

Honor and Remember Them All,

Kirk “Pretty Boy” Olson
RFTW Central Route Coordinator – 2025
Asst. Route Coordinator – 2024
Road Guard Captain – 2023
Asst. Road Guard Captain – 2019
BoD of Directors – 2016-2019
Road Guard 2010-2018
FNG 2009

**See this post on Where and What to Buy, and all things GMRS for RFTW.**

Posted on August 14, 2024August 19, 2024 by Kirk Olson — Leave a comment

Central Route August 2024 Newsletter

Happy August Run for the Wall Riders and Greetings from the Central Route!
Immediate things that are happening this month that you need to be aware of are the Angel Fire / Eagle Nest, New Mexico Reunion and Brick laying.
This reunion will take place Friday, August 30 – Sunday, Sept 1, 2024.

We could use strong backs on Thursday, Aug 29 at 1PM at the Memorial to lay out the base coat of sand for the bricks and some more help Friday to sort the bricks in order and load them on a trailer.

If you have not done so, time is running short to register, and please do so here. It is imperative you do this in a timely manner, so the people preparing our food have an accurate count.

Go here to register for the reunion: https://forms.gle/txe74T5fRRAzCC9EA
** We would like all people registered no later than August 19, 2024.

Here is a tentative schedule for the reunion:

Reunion: Friday, August 30th Sunday, September 1st with Taco Bar on Friday night, and DINNER on Saturday, August 31st, 2024
Dinner Address: 74 N Tomboy Dr, Eagle Nest, NM

Thursday and Friday 29 August & 30 August
Preparation of grounds and Bricks. Location-Memorial
1:00 PM Thursday-Need some volunteers to shovel and rake the base layer of sand.
9:00 AM Friday– General Area Preparations and Sorting of Bricks

Friday Evening, 30 August
5:30 PM Memorial Service for Don “Bullet” Pierce and Frank “Friendless” Silva at outdoor Pavilion behind Senior Center by Arnie Swift & Kevin Riley
6:00 PM Reception & Dinner at Laguna Vista Saloon

Saturday, 31 August
All times are approximate and subject to change.

7:00 AM Pre-Program Activity & Set Up (Breakfast Sandwiches/Coffee Provided)
9:00 AM Opening Ceremony. Followed by Brick laying of Westphal Foundation Bricks.
9:30 AM Medal of Honor Brick Laying.
3:00 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.

5:45 PM Meet at outdoor Pavilion behind Senior Center for a brief Ceremony (Pledge of Allegiance, Prayer, Announcements) (50 N Tom Boy Dr, Eagle Nest, NM 87718).

6:00 PM Dinner and Rider’s Forum (Senior Center- 50 N Tom Boy Drive) (Dinner cost is $35.00 per pre-registered person-Includes Reunion Patch). Any registrations received after August 18th will be $45 per person (if the caterer can accommodate the addition).

Sunday, 1 September
8:00 AM Church Services at Angel Fire Memorial Chapel (by Kevin Riley)

There is another reunion opportunity on Sept 27-29, 2024 in Kerrville, TX. This reunion is for all RFTW and is hosted by our Southern Route brothers and sisters.

Kerrville, TX Reunion

**See this post on Where and What to Buy, and all things GMRS for RFTW.**

Additional GMRS Info

The RFTW Forum is BACK and BETTER than ever!

This is where online RFTW discussion should happen.

RFTW Forum

I can tell you as of now, I have openings for a Raffle Rouser Assistant, and a Videographer. Staging is also going to need a few more bodies, as of now, as well.

That’s about it for now. See you in Angel Fire and Eagle Nest, New Mexico in a couple of weeks.

Honor and Remember Them All,

Posted on August 1, 2024August 29, 2024 by Kirk Olson — 1 Comment

2025 Radio Comms – Joint Statement from All Four Route Coordinators

Some of you may or may not know that in May 2024 the Central Route piloted and tested a new communications system for on-road communications while underway during our Mission from Ontario, CA to Washington, DC. GMRS Radios were used, and a GMRS repeater was also tested. This technology has much further range than CB, and with clearer reception and transmission.

CB radio service was originally established in 1949 and their usefulness and heyday of the 1970s has been outlived. A new replacement was needed for the unique communication requirements of RFTW. Motorcycle manufacturers have been discontinuing installing or offering CBs, or if they do, they are very expensive. And third-party motorcycle CB radio manufacturers, like J&M have also stopped making and supporting them.

The purpose of the test was to see how well it worked for RFTW. The results of the test in May 2024 was positive and exceeded expectations in most cases. Communications were clear with no relays needed to pass messages and the comms range was significantly extended with no outside interference.

At the July 20, 2024 BoD meeting, the BoD changed the SOP to allow GMRS as an option, and then left it up to each Route Coordinator’s sole discretion and decision to use CB or the newer GMRS Comms for the Run in 2025 for his respective route.

On July 29, 2024 all of the 2025 Route Coordinators (Central, Southern, Midway, and Sandbox) met in a separate RC only meeting without the Executive BoD. ALL FOUR Route Coordinators are in lockstep, and unanimously decided that GMRS Radio Communications is the way to go and decided that all routes will use GMRS in 2025 as the primary mode of on-road communications for RFTW.

This means that ALL PACK Leadership WILL BE REQUIRED to have and use a GMRS Radio in 2025, i.e. All Platoon Leaders, APL’s, Tail Gunners, Road Guards, Chaplains, Medics, and Chase will need a GMRS Radio. Pack riders and FNGs are also certainly allowed to get a radio and listen.

Regarding outrider and forward crews and teams such as Fuel, Staging, Ambassadors, and Outreach, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you start to use and get on the GMRS bandwagon as you will be able to hear the pack miles before they get to your location.

There are numerous off-the-shelf radios available that can be made Bluetooth capable if you have a Bluetooth helmet headset, like a Sena or a Cardo. If you do not use a Bluetooth helmet set-up, there are some wired solutions available, as well.

Option 1: (This option is a HIGH recommendation. Bluetooth Capable)
The radio is available at the BTECH website, and at Amazon

BTECH GMRS Pro Radio: https://baofengtech.com/product/gmrs-pro/ref/gmrs/
Get the wireless PTT Button, and maybe a spare.
https://baofengtech.com/product/bs-ptt/ref/gmrs/

Use Coupon Code: RFTW
You will get both the Radio and Wireless PTT button for $152.44.
Must Add Both items, GMRS Pro radio, and wireless PTT button to BTECH online cart.
Deal Available at the the BTECH Website, not Amazon and not an Amazon Cart.

This is an optional adapter cable for K-1 type accessories:
https://baofengtech.com/product/gmrs-pro-k1-adaptor/ref/gmrs/?campaign=OptionalAdapter

To get “More Range” out of this handheld, it’s all about the ***antenna quality.*** Consider a higher quality antenna, or even an external antenna.

https://baofengtech.com/product/nagoya-na-701g/ref/gmrs/?campaign=5.5inchAntenna
https://baofengtech.com/product/nagoya-na-771g/ref/gmrs/?campaign=15inchAntenna
https://baofengtech.com/product/nagoya-ut-72g/ref/gmrs/?campaign=mountedantenna

Other Great GMRS Antennas – Here

Midland MXTA26 Antenna – need an adapter, NMO mount and coax with this option. This antenna has the most GAIN.

Option 2: (Also a High Recommendation, but does take skill to install. Bluetooth)
Vero VGC VR-N7500 High Power 50W/40W Transceiver. This a PERMANENT MOUNT Bluetooth unit. It transmits at up to 40W on UHF (GMRS) frequencies. 5X the power of the above handheld.

Get the Bluetooth button for this radio – Here

This unit requires an EXTERNAL Antenna, like the Midland MXTA26 Antenna. I like this antenna for a permanent NMO Mount, (or a handheld radio with an Adapter).

An NMO Mount, and Coax are REQUIRED.

Kirk Olson – Central Route RC is running this set-up on his BMW K1600GT. The radio is Bluetoothed directly to a Sena 50S helmet set-up. The included mic shown in picture is not used.
(See a Picture of the set-up here)

** Currently, the VR-N7500 DOES NOT Bluetooth Connect to a Harley Branded Sena. It does connect to a regular, non-Harley Branded Sena. It must be something to do with the HD Firmware.

** There is a rumor that BTECH is coming out with their version of this radio in the very near future.

Option 3: (Non-Bluetooth GMRS Radios, work and are approx $50 or less)
Any GMRS Radio like, but not limited to, these:
TID Radio H8 GMRS Radio: https://amzn.to/47klXzu
https://amzn.to/3tJSpxw **Recommended (Value Pack)
Video on the TID Radio H8: https://youtu.be/8HXSlHT84yQ
Baofeng UV-5RTP: https://amzn.to/3tHoUMI
*These radios ARE NOT Bluetooth capable to a headset from the manufacturer, so would best be used with a wired set-up, and an earpiece or earbud (not ideal).

A company called Rugged Radios are the BEST wired harnesses for those that do not have or want a Bluetooth helmet set-up, and they also offer Bluetooth for any radio, and are built for motorcycling.

Wired & External Bluetooth harnesses options from Rugged Radios. These harnesses work with almost any GMRS handheld radio.
https://www.ruggedradios.com/collections/motorcycle-two-way-radio-helmet-communication-kits

Option 4:
If you are an Amateur Radio Operator (HAM), you may be interested in the Anytone ATD878UVII Plus. This is a HAM radio, and can be unlocked for GMRS use, and has Bluetooth built-in that will pair to a Bluetooth helmet set-up. This option does require very good to advanced computer skills to program the radio. The radio is also not IP67 (water proof), but the bluetooth piece is great.

Option 5:
Any Four-wheel vehicle can use a GMRS handheld or any Mobile Car/Truck Mounted GMRS radio.

Manufacturers of these are: Midland, Wouxun, to name a few.

These also require:
An EXTERNAL Antenna, like the Midland MXTA26 Antenna
An NMO Mount, and Coax are REQUIRED.

The bottom line is, we are not going to tell you which brand to get. You just need a radio to get GMRS frequencies into your helmet and your ears. The above are options that work well, and there are and will be others.

Licensing:
Lastly, listening to a GMRS radio does not require a license from the FCC.
Transmitting on a GMRS frequency currently does technically require a license from the FCC and is easy to get, and is $35 for 10-years.
One license can be used per family.

Video on How-to get a GMRS license:
https://youtu.be/xOuOIB1KCQ4?t=73
Click here to establish your FCC FRN Number: https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do
Click here for the FCC Universal Licensing System: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/universal-licensing-system

Thank you.
See you in May 2025

Kirk Olson – Central Route Coordinator
Eric Fort – Midway Route Coordinator
Ken Ley – Southern Route Coordinator
William Brehler – Sandbox Route Coordinator

2018 Central Route Coordinator Video

Christmas Truce of 1914

How to Set-up and Program BTECH GMRS Pro Bluetooth Radio with iPhone or Android - Part 1

Program CTCSS Codes on BTECH GMRS Pro Bluetooth Radio without a phone or app. Part 2

How to pair BTECH GMRS Pro Bluetooth Radio to Sena or Cardo for motorcycling. Part 3

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