Category: Central Route Coordinator News

Hello again, Central Route Riders.

By now you’ve all read the message from the RFTW BOD President, Les Williams, officially postponing RFTW 2021. I know you are all very disappointed by the decision. I can assure you that the entire BOD was saddened by the necessity of their decision, as were all of the rest of us who support and participate in RFTW. Having participated in the meeting on February 20th, Paul and I can tell you the decision of the BOD was extremely difficult. I can also tell you that our state coordinators’ work in providing a timely update of their planning efforts was a crucial piece of the meeting, and of the BOD decision.

One by one, each of the Route Coordinators presented the current status of their route planning. It was difficult to sit through the meeting, hearing all the challenges that still remained for the run. The information received from the routes led to a consensus among meeting attendees that RFTW 2021 could not proceed safely, or without disruption from a variety of COVID restrictions. In addition, a key portion of planning information, which contributed to the BOD decision, came out of Washington, DC and Arlington, VA. Simply put, it was just not going to be possible for RFTW to complete its mission in DC.

To Central Route State Coordinators, I want to say thank you – thank you for your hard work in planning for RFTW 2021, for your perseverance in spite of the COVID threat, and for your continued dedication and commitment to RFTW and its mission. Without your efforts RFTW simply could not happen. I encourage you all to remain optimistic about the prospects for next year, and to stay in close and frequent contact with your planning partners. Paul and I look forward to working with you again in the very near future as we plan for RFTW 2022. Please feel free to call me or Paul if we can be of assistance.

Ride safely and stay well. God Bless the United States of America.

Tom (Boomps) Miller
Run for the Wall Central Route Coordinator

Merry Christmas and a belated happy Thanksgiving!  Please accept my apologies, for not communicating last month, and thanks to Rich Boy for pointing out that I slept through the month of November! I don’t know about you, but this has been a very long year.

The biggest news I have since October is that, due to personal reasons, Bruce Bartolomeo had to step down from his position as ARC for our 2021 RFTW. Fortunately, Paul “Brush” Marshall stepped up and hit the ground running. He has been in contact with all of our state coordinators and team leaders to introduce himself, and to offer any assistance that they might need from him. Many of you know Paul from his position as Platoon Leader. His FNG year was 2002, and he has been all the way 11 times. He is also a retired police captain, thus bringing with him a lot of valuable leadership experience.

The state coordinators are almost all finished with their respective hotel lists, which should be published at the end of the year. One of the questions I get frequently from RFTW riders is, “Are we really going this year?” All I can answer is that we have 416 riders registered for Central Route, and we are 150 days from “Kickstands Up,” and the state coordinators are working their tails off to pave our way through their states. No one can predict what 2021 will bring, but with the promise of widespread vaccines in the upcoming months, I’m optimistic that we will be heading east in May.

It is my hope that you all stay safe and healthy, and enjoy your holidays as much as possible under the circumstances where you live.

Ride safely and stay well. God Bless the United States of America.

Tom (Boomps) Miller
Run for the Wall Central Route Coordinator

Greetings from Nuevo,

I hope this finds you safe and well. Most of our quarantines are coming to a close. Mine was pretty exceptional. Jan and I were lucky enough to be invited to serve as Camp Hosts at Carpinteria State Beach the months of April and May, just after our state parks closed. No worries about social distancing with the park closed! The “down” side of living at an empty beach is the absence of wifi, which explains why I haven’t been in contact for a couple months.

Speaking of contact, a few of you have reached out to me about jobs for next year. While it is too soon to know what the specific needs are for next year, you can always visit our website and fill out the volunteer form. Alternatively, you can reach out to individual team leaders, who’s contact information is also on the website.

Even though RFTW did not happen this year, we are still committed to helping those schools that depend on our support each year. Jenny Ward has done an excellent job with the schools fundraiser she started after our COVID cancellation, raising over $10,000. She is also putting together a ride to Raynell, West Virginia, to present the elementary school principal with our check.  Stay tuned for more information.

Another ride coming up will be this weekend, June 12, to Carson City, Nevada. The Combat Hero Bike Build unveilingpresentation will be Saturday, June 13, at 4pm at Battle Born Harley Davidson in Carson City. John Barker leads these efforts, and invites you all to participate. He says three other vets who have received bikes in the past will join them. Many of those attending are planning their stay at the Best Western in Sparks, Nevada, as John arranged for a special rate.

There are other RFTW reunions planned for the summer. Check out the website for details.

Ride safely and stay well. God Bless the United States of America.

Tom (Boomps) Miller

Run for the Wall

Central Route Coordinator

Another greeting from The San Bernardino National Forest!

It’s March! I hope that the weather where you live is starting to warm up enough to enjoy some routine motorcycle riding. Most of us do not need an excuse to get on a motorcycle, but if you do, consider looking locally for a group such as PGR or American Legion Riders, so that you can get used to riding with others in formation. May will be here before we know it.

Over the last few weeks, we have held meetings with our state coordinators and other leadership to finalize changes in meal and gas stops. It is always amazing to me when I realize just how many hours state coordinators log to make sure that our trip across country runs as smoothly as possible.  The itinerary was posted, removed for revisions, and will be reposted soon. Carol Olmstead, our Ontario Coordinator, has also been busy readying for our arrival, organizing a Meet and Greet for Sunday May 10, and a Spaghetti Dinner for May 12 after the Safety Meeting.

This year, thirty participants from RFTW will have the privilege of washing the Korean War Memorial. I had the honor of participating a few years ago, and that act of service produced an emotional experience for me… I felt connected to those who made that ultimate sacrifice so many years ago. If you have never had the opportunity to participate, I urge you to consider it. I will assign volunteers on a first come-first served basis. If you’d like to volunteer, email me at tom.miller@rftw.us  ASAP.

Calling all Campers! Dave “Bounce” Talley offered to serve as our Camping Coordinator! If any camper has any questions, Dave can be reached by calling (716) 347-8520, or writing grabagear@yahoo.com. Thanks, Dave!

Last item: As of this writing, our Central Route has 381 registered riders. Please make sure both you and your motorcycle are in top condition by the time May arrives.

Ride safely,

Tom (Boomps) Miller
Run for the Wall
Central Route Coordinator