Author: Sam "Polar Bear" Warner

Posted on by

Sandbox Route Coordinator October Newsletter

Wow, October is already here! The leaves are turning and the weather is getting cooler here in Maryland. Soon we will have ghosts and goblins knocking at our door on Halloween. Please enjoy your fall weather!

Registration is open! Register as soon as you can to help leadership plan better. Remember, we need to let volunteers in each state know how many riders to expect so they can plan to assist us with our journey and mission. Fuel, food, lodging, and escorts all require a head count so their organizations can plan how to assist us in getting everyone to the Middle East Conflicts Wall safely.

Be sure to watch Hitch & Boots on the RFTW Podcast each month. They dive into Why We Ride with bios of fallen Heroes, introduce key members of each route and Organization Leaders, and provide excellent advice and information, including Tech Tips with Ted, as well as other fun facts and tidbits. Links can be found at RFTW.US in the ‘Scuttlebutt’ tab. In the “Connect” tab, you can also access RFTW sites on YouTube, X (Twitter), TikTok, Instagram, and even Facebook.

FNGs, WELCOME!! You are the future of the RUN. Your participation, ideas, and commitment to the organization are essential to keeping the mission going. Please do not shy away from asking questions, participating in everything you can, and becoming part of the family. Please reach out to our FNG Liaison Officer, Roger ‘Bullseye’ Ford, at roger.ford1234@gmail.com with any comments, questions, or concerns.

Volunteers are still needed for Staging, Fuel Team, and Road Guard positions. As volunteer forms come in, they are sent to the respective team leads for review. All Platoon leadership positions require GMRS communications. Please fill out your Volunteer form on the RFTW.US website.

It is still not too late if you have not submitted an After-Action Report (AAR). Please submit your report by clicking here. RFTW leadership reads every AAR to make the Run the best it can be, and we take AARs seriously. Do not be alarmed. The ExecBoD and the RCs read all AARs, but we do not respond directly to each submission.

We’ve begun compiling hotel lists, stops, and other key details along the way. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes to make the journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible for everyone. We have read the AARs and have heard about the issues you raise, and we are working to address the concerns that were raised. We are looking for alternative routes to get through Indiana.

Your Sandbox Route fundraiser shirts are coming soon. Once they are available, please go out and purchase one or ten if you like! For every shirt we sell, the Sandbox Route gets $10, and that amount goes into our route funds. You can purchase one by going to https://shop.rftw.us/ and clicking on 2027 Route Fundraiser shirts once they are available. While I’m on the subject of fundraising, we are looking for items we can auction off in St. Clairsville, Ohio. If you have skills or are willing to donate special items that we can auction off, please let us know.

If you are in the MD/DC/VA/PA area, please join the American Legion Post 72 in Warrenton, VA, for a Dice Run to benefit RFTW. Saturday, October 17th, at 10 AM. Lunch will be provided at the end of the Dice Run. See the flyer for details.

 

 

 

 

 

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please know you can contact the VA Veteran’s Crisis Line by dialing 988, then pressing 1, or by texting 838255 to speak or chat with a qualified responder.

“It’s the personal connections we make and nurture that establish RFTW as a Mission of the heart and a memorable experience that brings the Spirit of America to the forefront of your soul.” – Billie “Bugs” Dunlap

See you in Springfield, VA in May!

Posted on by

Sandbox Route Coordinator Newsletter – September 2026

Can you believe September is already here? Hope everyone had a great Labor Day! As the temperatures start getting cooler, we can enjoy getting out and riding a little more and enjoy the changing scenery of the seasons before winter arrives.

Registration

It’s almost that time!! Registration for the 2027 Run For The Wall will open on September 11th, 2026, @ 8:46 a.m. (EST), 7:46 a.m. (Central), 6:46 a.m. (MST), and 5:46 a.m. (PST). Please register as soon as you can. We use the information to plan our stops, let our supporters know rider counts so they can plan their support, and allow the Platoon Coordinator to assign riders to their respective platoons.

Southern, Central, and Midway Routes all leave on Wednesday, May 19 – May 29 (10 days) to go from Ontario, California to Washington, D.C.

Sandbox Route leaves Sunday May 30 – June 1 (3 days) to go from Springfield VA (Washington, D.C.) to Marseilles, Illinois.

Upcoming Events

National POW/MIA Recognition Day is coming up and will be observed on Friday, September 18. This day is for honoring those who were held captive and returned, as well as those who remain missing. NEVER FORGET

The Texas Riders Reunion in Kerrville, TX. Sept 25-27 at the YO Resort.  Registration is $40 per person until Sept 15, then it’s $50 per person. Please see the Southern Route Coordinator August Newsletter for more information.

NOTE: This event IS NOT an official Run for the Wall event.

Planning

Your Sandbox Leadership Team has been working to fill the positions needed to make the RUN a success. Your State Coordinators are already out there, planning and coordinating with our supporters. We have read and heard what all the After Action Reports (AARs) have said, and we are looking at ways to improve the Route. With that being said, it’s not too late to let us know how we did last year. Thank you to all who have already submitted.

Volunteer Opportunities

If you are interested in volunteering to help out on the Run, we still have positions available. Please fill out the form at: RFTW.us > Sandbox Route > Volunteer Sign-up (https://rftw.us/volunteer-sign-up/). Some leadership positions require GMRS radios for communication. Keep in mind that FNGs are not permitted to volunteer for these positions, as we want them to fully experience the Run. Positions we are looking for include Risk Management Officer, Road Guards, Medical Team Members, Staging Team, Friend of Bill, Chaplains, Fuel Team, Asst Platoon Leaders, and Tail Gunners.

Pre Paid Fuel

This year, we will require pre-paid fuel again. As the Run approaches and we can better evaluate the ever-changing gas prices, we will set a final cost for you closer to the Run’s start. This will help speed up stops by eliminating the need to fumble for cash at the pumps and give you more time to use the restroom, hydrate, stretch, relax, and prepare for the next leg of the ride.

Let’s work together to make the Sandbox Route great! We will Continue the Mission safely and successfully! Remember, “A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, and it sparks extraordinary results” (Wade Boggs)

Is it MAY Yet?

Posted on by

Sandbox Route Coordinator Newsletter – August 2026

Hello from Maryland. This time of year is hot and muggy; these last 2 weeks have been raining almost every day.

Just got back from the annual Face to Face meeting with the Board of Directors and the other 3 Route Coordinators and Assistant Route Coordinators. We had a great session and got a lot of good information. If you didn’t know, there were a couple of director positions that are going to change. The President of the Board, John “Turkey” Staub, will be leaving the board as his term has ended, and Billie “Bugs” Dunlap will become the New President.  Corey “Sunbear” Lederer has been selected as the Vice President. Please congratulate them when you see them!

There are 2 events that are happening soon: Angel Fire and the All Riders Reunion in Kerrville, Texas.

The Angel Fire Reunion in Angel Fire, NM will be held Sept 3-6. Registration is $45 per person until Aug 18, then it’s $55 per person till registration closes on Aug 21.  Please see the Central Route Chronicles: August edition for more information

The Texas Riders Reunion in Kerrville, TX. Sept 25-27 at the YO Resort.  Registration is $40 per person until Sept 15, then it’s $50 per person. Please see the Southern Route Coordinator August Newsletter for more information.

NOTE: Neither of these events are official Run for the Wall events.

We have started building the leadership positions for this year’s Run. We are looking for volunteers to step up into leadership roles in all positions. If you have any interest in volunteering for any position or job, even if you have been in leadership before, you need to fill out a form.  You can fill out form at: RFTW.us >Sandbox Route >Volunteer Sign-up (https://rftw.us/volunteer-sign-up/). Some leadership positions require GMRS radios for communications. We cannot do it alone we need a great team to make it all happen. Keep in mind that FNG’s are not permitted to volunteer for these positions, as we want them to fully experience the Run. Positions we are looking for ; Risk Management Officer, Road Guards, Medical Team Members, Staging Team, Fuel Team, Platoon Leaders, Asst Platoon Leaders, Tail Gunners, and a Social Media Coordinator.

It is not too late to fill out After Action Report for the 2026 Run. Bravo 6 and I have read all the current After Action Reports (AAR) that we have received so far, thank you for filling them out and letting us know what areas we need to work on for a better experience for this coming May.

Let’s work together to make the Sandbox Route great! We will Continue the Mission safely and successfully! Remember, “Nothing Great is ever accomplished alone!”