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Merchandise News, Upcoming Promotion & New Products

As I’m writing this newsletter to you, the weather here in Arizona has cooled off substantially making riding a much more enjoyable  experience. From the desert foothills to the canyons and backroads, there are plenty of riding options in the area. Look me up if you ever want to hit the twisties, backroads or just cruise. I know many of you will begin the “off” season but I encourage everyone to try and do as much riding as possible between now and May. It’s hard to believe that we’re in November and before you know it, we’ll be in 2025! Keep fit, eat right, hydrate, get your sleep and ride, ride and do more riding. Most of you know what it takes to endure ten straight days on the road, plus getting to Ontario and home again, but I can’t emphasize  enough to take care of yourselves physically and mentally. As Central Routes experienced last year, the weather and conditions can be demanding and you need to be sharp at all times. So, do what works for you and take care of your physical and mental health.

Last year the Central Route received a new trailer that included a brand new wrap symbolizing what Run For the Wall is and our mission. Along with the Central Route, the Midway Route trailer also received the new wrap and this year, the Southern Route trailer will be done as well. All three trailers will be heading to the Ontario area next month where they will be staged and prepped for the upcoming 2025 Run. Many thanks to Tommy “Two Chains” Cranford, Jerry “Corp” Wilkins and Carol Olmstead for lending a helping hand with the relocation and getting the trailers stocked and ready to go!

The other day my wife bought a turkey for Thanksgiving reminding me that the holidays are upon us. Beginning November 24th and continuing through Cyber Monday, December 2nd, you’ll find the following offers available in the store:

  1. Purchases over $50 will get free shipping. This is normally at $100.
  2. Purchases over $100 get 15% off everything in the store except sale items.
  3. Purchases over $200 get one free 2025 shirt that includes one men’s or women’s safety green Run shirt, men’s gray commemorative shirt or men’s blue polo shirt.

Today, a new Run For The Wall hat is available in the store! It comes in a khaki color with a green stripe flag on the front and POW*MIA on the back. It sells for $25. In addition to the hat, for the first time I am bringing 6″ x 9″ motorcycle flags to the store. The material is polyester, so more durable than nylon with a 1″ sleeve that fits a 3/8″ diameter pole nicely. There will be three options available. A USA and POW*MIA flag that will be sold for $15 and a RFTW flag for $18. Note that these do not include the pole so you’ll need to get that separately if you don’t already have it. Finally, in the hopper are three new items coming soon but likely not in time for the holidays. These are a new women’s V-neck short sleeve shirt, new RED long sleeve performance shirt and a special edition anniversary challenge coin.

To close, I am still looking for volunteers to help with sales on all three routes. I can work with the drivers regarding space to drive anyone across the country but can’t promise anything. Participants will register and be a part of the Run just like the riders including meals. So, if you are interested, or know of anyone that might want to help, please reach out to me.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. Ride, practice and be safe!

Alan “Xbox” Steiner
Director of Merchandise
Run For The Wall
https://rftw.us

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Run For The Wall® Podcast Season 1 Episode 5 – The Midway Pitch

Run For The Wall Podcast

Season 1 Episode 5 The Midway Pitch

Welcome to Episode 5 of the Run for the Wall podcast. In this episode we are joined by Eric “Pitch” Fort – the Route Coordinator for the 2025 Midway Route.

Press play and let’s go ALL THE WAY!

Listen to the RFTW Podcast on Spotify

Watch The RFTW Podcast on YouTube

Don’t forget to share your experiences, questions and suggestions with us at pod@rftw.us

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RFTW Board of Directors Opening – Treasurer

Run for the Wall®

The Board of Directors is announcing an upcoming vacancy in the position of Treasurer.

The Treasurer is not only a member of the Board but is also a corporate officer with financial and fiduciary responsibilities to the corporation.

This critical position has specific requirements to best serve the corporation and its riders. The successful candidate needs experience with write-up accounting, must be familiar with GAAP, experience with QuickBooks, especially the on-line version, experience with Excel to include creating and modifying spreadsheets, the ability to coordinate multiple actions with multiple players to include other directors and vendors, familiarity with banking apps and their various payment options.  Additionally, the Treasurer must be familiar with non-profit reporting across various government agencies. Understanding of and the ability to research reporting requirements, along with the nuances of RFTW and its operations is essential. A huge plus would be someone with credentials to prepare our annual Form 990 return and the ability to represent RFTW during an IRS audit. CPA, Enrolled Agent, or Registered Tax Return Preparer are all positives. While the position does not require a CPA, bookkeeping experience alone is not sufficient. Staff accounting experience would be an ideal qualification.

The successful candidate will submit a resume focused on their meeting the above qualifications, along with RFTW experience. Submit complete resumes to Secretary@RFTW.us. Prior to final approval of the BoD, candidates must successfully undergo a background check and a financial check.

The vacancy will occur on 31 August 2025; however, the successful candidate can be brought on-board early so that we can ensure a smooth transition.

Please send questions can either to Treasurer@rftw.us or President@rftw.us.

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Midway Route Coordinator Newsletter – November 2024

Greetings from the deep South! Other than the time change it is hard to tell that we are nearly halfway through November. Warmer than normal temperatures are still providing many of us with some extended nice riding weather but before we know it winter will be upon us. This is a great time to begin to take inventory of your equipment and gear. You might even find a few things to add to that last minute Christmas wish list!

Planning for 2025’s Run continues to progress well. I cannot thank our key Leadership enough for quickly coming together and assisting with several recommendations to get the pack safely around areas that we would normally travel on the way to Asheville. While we are still ironing out a few of the final details, most of the required changes have been completed and are locked in. Our State Coordinators are hard at work putting the finishing touches on the stops in their respective areas. We even have something new planned for Fort Sill but you will have to keep checking future newsletters to find out more! Your AAR’s from 2024 have also been extremely helpful in making changes and adjustments where needed. A big thank you to our State Coordinators for their continued hard work and dedication in making each year better than the last.

Two months have passed since Registration opened and I am happy to say that Midway’s numbers are inline with where we have been tracking at this same time over the last couple of years. If you have not yet registered, please do so. This not only helps our State Coordinators with numbers for meals, support, etc but also allows our Platoon Coordinator JavaJoe to start working with the Platoon Leaders on Platoon assignments. Click here to register today!

Our teams are shaping up well but we could use a few more volunteers. Staging team, Medical team, Merchandise Team and Registration Team Lead are positions that we need to fill soon. Each plays a critical role in completing our Mission and Midway needs you to help make this happen. To find out more as well as complete the Volunteer Signup Form click here. Feel free to reach out to me directly if you have questions or want to know where your skills would best fit. You can find my contact info as well as our Team Leaders here.

A few have asked about hotels. The 2025 hotel list will be released on January 1st. There is a great deal of work and coordination that goes into this.  A huge thank you to the State Coordinators and Jerry “Corps” Wilkins for all you do to make this happen. Jerry has also locked in camping areas however we need someone who is going All the Way and is camping to step up as the point of contact/coordinator to assist our campers. You can sign up here for this role.

To our FNG’s, welcome!  We are excited to have you join our family. In the coming weeks you will be hearing from Roger “Bullseye” Ford, Midway’s FNG Coordintor, who will be setting up some calls to help familiarize you with Run For The Wall and what to expect during the ride. I would also recommend checking out the RFTW Forum. There is a lot of useful information housed here: from those looking to share a room to help cut travel costs, to general information for FNG’s, to various meetups across the country. Another great source of information is the RFTW Podcast hosted by Hitch and Boots. They do a great job and have a mix of special guests that help provide different perspectives on the Run. You can listen to the various episodes on YouTube here. Be sure to Bookmark each for future reference! As you find out more about our Mission you will hear about The Missing Man Formation. “The Missing Man Formation is a rolling salute to honor the memory of the fallen, KIA, MIA, or POW. Five bikes ride in formation with a space where one bike should be, symbolizing the person’s absence. On each leg of each route we honor a different individual in the Missing Man Formation. There is a short ceremony just prior to the departure of the pack and we SAY THEIR NAMES so that their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”   If there is a hero you would like to ride for please let your Platoon Coordinator (they will be reaching out to you soon for introductions) know so that they can get you connected with our Missing Man Coordinator Alan “Rocketman” Farmer.

Speaking of the Forum, thanks to Central Route Coordinator Kirk “Pretty Boy” Olson for creating a few videos around setting up and programming the GMRS radios that all four Routes Leadership and Road Guards are moving to this year. If you are a rider and want to listen in, check out the Forum as well for which radios are recommended based on extensive use by a number of riders.

We only have a few days left for the MANNA Foodbank challenge before we send a check to them. MANNA FoodBank, located in Asheville, North Carolina, is a private, not-for-profit service organization working to end food insecurity in the 16 counties of Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary. They have been an integral part of providing meals to those impacted by the devastation from Hurricane Helene. If you have not yet donated, I ask that you please consider doing so. For those who would like to send a check, please ensure that you make it out to Run for the Wall and in the For line put Midway – MANNA. You can mail your check to:

Run for the Wall Inc.

50 Fourth Ave Unit 1445

Dayton, NV 89403

For those whose bank uses Zelle and you would like to donate that way, mark your donation to midway.route@rftw.us. Please be sure to include Midway – Manna in the For line as well. If you prefer to donate via the RFTW website, please make sure you click on Midway in the drop down as well as check the box for “I wish to make this donation in the name of/or on behalf of another individual” and enter Midway-Manna under “Individual’s Name”. Let’s show Asheville how much they mean to us.

“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.”  This is why we ride.  Together let’s make 2025 a year to remember and give our Vietnam Veterans the WELCOME HOME they so deserved 50 years ago.

Say their names.  Tell their stories.  Never forget.  Never give up hope.

Until they all come home…

Eric “Pitch” Fort

Route Coordinator – Midway 2025

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President’s Message – November 2024

And just like that, it is already November.

As we experience the back-and-forth of temperatures common during the fall/winter transition, I am taking advantage of those lovely days to get out and work on my riding skills. I continue to exercise not only to prepare for May but also because it positively impacts my daily life. What are you doing to prepare for Run 2025?

As we move into the holiday season, I ask that we take a moment and give thanks for the blessings we receive and continue to pray for those whose lives have drastically changed over the last year.

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.

RFTW 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.

In 2015, Ken “Wish” Hargrove included the following in a newsletter update. It speaks volumes and is as appropriate today as it was then:

“We Ride for Those Who Can’t”— Six simple words with a very deep and wide meaning. You first-timers, or “FNG’s” as you are known, should be prepared to laugh, to cry, to have your breath taken away and to be humbled.

“We Ride for Those Who Can’t”— We ride for the veteran or family member who is unable to make the ride themself, When doing so we are responsible for carrying their need for healing cross-country to The Wall or from Wall to Wall.

“We Ride for Those Who Can’t”— We ride for our fellow riders who are in need of healing and in need of support as they are welcomed home, many for the first time ever.

“We Ride for Those Who Can’t”— We ride to bring awareness of the POW/MIA issues and the thousands of our brethren who have yet to be brought back home and to shine a light on the government’s lack of attention to this solemn commitment to leave no one behind.

I hope you have read in the RFTW forums and various RC newsletters that all routes are switching to GMRS for route communications. Kirk Olson, the CR RC, posted helpful videos on the forums to aid those needing assistance making the switch. I ride a 2015 Honda Goldwing and recently installed a Sena Freewire to connect with my Sena 50s, my phone, my GMRS, and the media system on the Wing.  It took a bit of patience along with some trial and error, but making that switch now and being able to test it all helps ensure I will be ready for Run 2025. Be prepared for some anomalies; for example, if I am talking on my phone, I cannot hear or transmit on the GMRS.  But then again, I don’t answer my phone while on the Run, so it is no big deal. I don’t typically carry my GMRS except while on the Run, so that nuance really has no impact.  However, installing and setting up the system now gives me plenty of time to work through the changes, so using it will become second nature.  BTW, there are links in the forums for discounts on the Baofeng GMRS radio and wireless Push-to-Talk switch.  This is not an RFTW endorsement for a particular manufacturer but a helpful link when searching for GMRS devices we tested and know work. Your mileage may vary.

Speaking of the forums, there are a few threads on regional or area informal meetings for RFTW-minded folks. This is a great way to maintain those friendships we establish as we continue to perform our Mission and yet another way to demonstrate our dedication to our veteran community publicly. I try to attend the monthly meetings in the Northeast (well, DC, VA, MD, and central PA) and encourage you to do the same.

Boots and Hitch continue to produce high-quality podcasts to reach out to folks and help explain the history and intricacies of RFTW. If you haven’t yet tuned in, I invite you to do so. The latest session, which focused on the first-ever father-son RCs, can be viewed here.

I want to mention again that Midway RC Eric Fort has set up a fundraising event called A Step to Remember. You can support Eric’s efforts through this Facebook event. I invite you to look at this event and consider contributing to this superhuman effort. This is truly personal for Eric, and his contribution to RFTW in remembrance makes this very special. Just a reminder, any fundraising events must be approved by the RC.  The RCs are responsible for reviewing and approving official RFTW fundraisers.  You need RC approval before launching the event if you use any RFTW intellectual property (logo, name, motto, etc.).

The practice session in Lot D last year was such a success that Batman and Flat Tire (Lance and Bernadette) are working on plans to do it again last year.  The feedback we received through your AARs was very positive.  More to follow as we get closer to May.

Speaking of Run 2025, you can now register here.  Our new 2025 merchandise is in the store, so while you are registering, consider purchasing some new swag.  Remember, if you are not going on the Run and want to register to show support for the Run, we ask that you go to our donation page and donate the amount of your registration fee instead of registering.  This helps keep our registration records clean so that our dedicated volunteers can better plan for the needs of our riders.

Much like the switch to the GMRS radio system, podcasts, electronic registration, and many other things, RFTW, like our society, must be postured to respond and react to societal changes.  There are significant differences between veterans across the various wars, cultures, and conflicts, and the Board of Directors is continuously working towards securing the future of the Run. We continue to read and analyze your AARs, emails, registration statistics, etc., to help ensure we focus on meeting all our riders’ needs.  Remaining stagnant is not an option; we will continue to work towards keeping the Run alive.

I leave you with this: 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 is left behind is more than a standard we all live up to. 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.

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?

TurkeyJohn “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

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Sandbox Route November Newsletter

Welcome To The Sandbox Family – Are You Ready

Fall is a great time of year. For some of us, the riding season is bringing on the challenge of staying dry (testing our rain gear) and warm (testing our heated gear).  For others, (like those folks in Arizona) the riding season is just beginning. You can never do too much preparation for the run, and getting in as much riding as you can (especially long-distance riding) is one of the best ways to prepare. Regardless of where you live, if you are planning to ride ALL THE WAY on one of the 3 cross country routes and then WALL TO WALL on Sandbox, you will ride at least 6000 miles round trip Another great way to prepare is to take a Motorcycle Rider Course. There are many types of classes taught at various levels. If it’s been a while since you took a class, you might want to look into honing your skills before joining the RFTW in May.

Add Something Extra to your RFTW Experience – GET INVOLVED

The Sandbox Team is really coming together. The State Coordinators are hard at work coordinating with the great people that support and feed us at our stops, as well as the Gas Stations and Hotels that accommodate us. The teams are almost full, but we could still use some help on Staging, Fuel, and Ambassador teams. If you are interested in being a part of any of these great teams, go the RFTW site and fill out  a volunteer application and / or find the Team Leader contact info on the Sandbox Contact tab and let them know you are interested.

The Forum

There are various costs associated with the RFTW. Besides the cost of making sure your bike is ready for the trip (good battery, fresh fluids, plenty of tire tread, everything tightened, working lights, etc.) there is the registration fee, prepaid gas fee, topping off each evening or morning, and a place to sleep. Hotel rooms are probably the largest expense on the run.  One of the best ways to help keep your cost down is to have a roommate. The new Forum has a ton of topics from GMRS radios, to various meet ups, to items for sale. It is also an excellent place to post that you are looking for a roommate to share hotel costs. And, if you are planning on sharing a hotel room, the trick is to get rooms with two beds. The hotel list for all routes is released on January 1. Each hotel has a limited number of rooms with two beds in the RFTW blocks. If you plan on sharing hotel rooms, you might want to consider booking early on New Years Day.

Why We Ride

There are so many wonderful things about RFTW. The amazing people you meet who quickly accept you and become family you look forward to seeing year after year. The incredible ride across our great nation and the dedicated patriotic supporters that feed us and wave to us from overpasses every year.  And of course, the Mission. I can find no way to put into words how powerfully our Mission affects me. I am humbled to be part of such a great cause and to honor and remember those that have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country free. Above all else, while you are on the run, please keep our Mission in mind.

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.

Say Their Name                       Tell Their Story                        Never Forget

Platoon Assignment

The registration information has been released to the routes. The Sandbox Platoon Coordinator, Sam “Polar Bear” Warner, is starting to place riders in platoons based on the info you provided on your registration form. Type of bike you are riding, preference of riding (side by side or staggered), riding with friends, etc.  As he gets the platoon information out to the Platoon Leaders, they will be contacting the riders assigned to their platoon so everyone knows ahead of the run what platoon they will be in. If you are in a platoon that doesn’t work for you, or would rather be in a different platoon with friends, just let your Platoon Leader know so we can make adjustments.

RED SHIRT MONDAY?

I believe most everyone is aware of Red Shirt Friday. RED stands for “Remember Everyone Deployed” and by wearing RED on Fridays, we show our support for our active-duty Military deployed all over the world. Since the Sandbox Route doesn’t take part over a Friday, I would like to make Memorial Day a special Red Shirt Day. I am asking everyone riding on Sandbox to wear red on Memorial Day as we ride into St. Clairsville, Ohio to join in their Memorial Day Ceremony.

 

If you don’t already have a red shirt, you can go to the RFTW merchandise shop and purchase one (or two).

Is it May Yet?

 

 

Bill “COB” BrehlerRoute Coordinator

RFTW Sandbox 2025

 

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Southern Route November Newsletter

RFTW Southern Route

An early Happy Thanksgiving to all! I hope everyone can enjoy spending time with family and friends. Let’s remember all of our troops deployed around the world and keep them in our prayers.

One correction from last month’s newsletter is that you must have been issued a Vietnam Service Medal (ribbon) to ride in the Vietnam Veterans Platoon. I apologize for the confusion. This special Vietnam Veterans Platoon is being put together in honor of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war.  We will also celebrate the 35th anniversary of Run For The Wall.

The planning and Preparation for the RFTW 2025 Mission continue, and we are still looking for volunteers, especially for the Medical positions. If interested, you can fill out a volunteer form  HERE. We need people with experience as RNs, LVNs, EMTs, etc. You can ride a bike or be in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Also, our Road Guard Captain, Don “Doc” Wood, is looking for a few Road Guard Candidates. You must ride a two-wheel motorcycle and have ridden All The Way at least once. Don’s contact information can be found on the Southern Route Contacts List.

Register for the 2025 Run now

The Southern Route now has over 100 registered riders and participants. If you have not registered yet, please do so as soon as possible. Early registration helps us plan for our stops and hotel accommodations. Early registration ends on January 31, 2025, and registration costs increase on February 1, 2025. You can Register HERE.  If you are in leadership, please register now.  If you are an FNG, please register as early as you can.  We know plans can change.

RFTW Forum

Please know there is a great resource tool for all of us in the RFTW Forum.  It’s a great place to learn from others and ask questions.  There are very good videos from Kirk “Pretty Boy” Olsen showing you how to program the new GMRS radios used on all the runs this year.  Leadership positions need to have the radios, but it’s an option for all others.  Sometimes, it’s nice to hear what’s being discussed so you know what’s going on when we’re starting out and picking up speed.  If you’re not in a leadership position, the request is that you’re in listening mode only, but these new radios are not that expensive and pair to Bluetooth headsets easily.  There are many other reasons to be on the forum.  If you need to share hotel rooms to save a few dollars, there’s a section for that.  Local monthly meetings are discussed, Runs to the run, and good discussions sharing ideas.

In closing, I encourage you to read about The Last Battle of the Vietnam War, the Mayaguez Incident. It’s an interesting read. Here’s a link to a good article about it: The Mayaguez Incident.

“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.”  This is why we ride.

“SAY THEIR NAMES, TELL THEIR STORIES,NEVER FORGET’

TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THEIR SACRIFICE

 

Lennie “Big Red” Hodson

Southern Route Coordinator 2025

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Run For The Wall® Podcast Season 1 Episode 4 Father and Son On The Run

Run For The Wall Podcast

Season 1 Episode 4 Father and Son On The Run

Welcome to Episode 4 of the Run for the Wall podcast. In this episode we are joined by Harlan “Whitebirch” Olson and  Kirk “Pretty Boy” Olson – the Route Coordinator for the 2025 Central Route.

Press play and let’s go ALL THE WAY!

Listen to the RFTW Podcast on Spotify

Watch The RFTW Podcast on YouTube

Don’t forget to share your experiences, questions and suggestions with us at pod@rftw.us

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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.

Run for the Wall stickerDue 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.

Register for RFTW 2025

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.

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.

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,

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

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.**

Additional GMRS Info

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 a 501(c)(3) tax deductible organization.

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UPDATE: Merchandise Sales Help & Driver Needed for 2025 RFTW

All,

I wanted to provide an update on my post on October 10th regarding drivers and sales help needed. All driver positions are now filled! Thank you to those of you that have stepped up to fill these critical positions.

Central Route – Julie “Jewels” Jackson
Midway Route – Brad “Bone” McGuire
Southern & Sandbox Route – Greg Noller

With the drivers all in place, I still need a few people to help in sales for each route. As a reminder, these positions will require each individual to register for the specific route they will be participating in and by doing so, will be eligible for all the same benefits as the riders including meals while on the Run. Team members ride out ahead of the pack to allow time to park and set up before the pack arrives at each stop. This gives supporters, participants and day riders a chance to buy merchandise prior to the pack arrival.

Merchandise sales will be open at each designated stop for up to 30 minutes prior to pack departure to give pack riders an opportunity to buy merchandise as well. Typically, stops that the merchandise team will be at include all lunch and dinner locations as well as designated memorials and VA hospitals.

Upon arrival in DC, your help is needed to unload merchandise from the two trailers not participating in Sandbox and stock the trailer assigned for Sandbox. Once completed, enjoy the celebrations when the pack arrives!

Sales Help for All Routes

  1. You are customer focused and will represent the face of the RFTW and the merchandise team.
  2. You will need to be able to operate the point-of-sale system and manage cash and credit card transactions. Training is provided.
  3. You will need to be capable of reconciling all transactions for each day and provide the Treasurer, or appointed person, with the cash received each day. Reporting format will be determined by the Treasurer.
  4. You will be required to be in Ontario, CA the Friday before the Run for training and to help set up and sell merchandise at the Elks and  host hotel.
  5. You will need to provide your own transportation unless other arrangements are made with the merchandise truck driver for your route to ride along. I can help with this if needed.

Please reach out to me if you or someone you know is interested or has any questions. I look forward to hearing from you!

Alan “Xbox” Steiner
Director of Merchandise, RFTW
2024 SB Road Guard
2023-2024 CR Photographer
2022 CR Plt 2 Tailgunner
2012 CR FNG