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Central Route Coordinator Newsletter March 2024 First Edition

Aloha Run for the Wall O’Hana

I cannot believe we are in March already! Time is starting to move faster for the team putting together the Run!

The Board of Directors (as well as Route Coordinators and Assistants) held our “Face to Face” Spring meeting (Via Zoom) this past weekend and worked out a lot of details for the Upcoming Run as well as overall RFTW policy and initiatives.  We have finalized MOST of our preparations and only have a few minor details to work out.
Our State Coordinators are doing a fantastic job as always!
I am going to address quite a few things this newsletter (some repeats) and ask for your patience and that you read the WHOLE THING so you are getting the most up to date answers to the many questions you may have.

Pre-Paid Fuel
We are doing this again this year and it will be Pro-rated depending on your start and stop point. This will be based on the approximate ACTUAL COST of the non-donated fuel stops. So, this means I will not have a cost for you until the end of April. We will only be accepting Cash for the sticker beginning in Ontario.

FNG ride into Arlington
As you may have heard, we will have a very limited number of motorcycles allowed to ride as a group into Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday the 25th of May. We are still working on a fair and equitable way to determine WHO will be riding the (Roughly 20) motorcycles from Central Route allowed to go. It will likely be based on several factors (listed below).

  1. Distance traveled on the Run this year
  2. Date Registered (earlier the better)
  3. Ability to carry a passenger on the bike with you. (double the number of people that can attend)
  4. Luck

Ride into Riverside National Cemetery
(Copied from the President’s Message).   As you may have seen in a FB post, Carol is working on the possibility of riders going to the March AFB museum following the ride the Riverside National Cemetery. This is a Tuesday event, with KSU tentatively scheduled for 0815 from the Elks Club. The Elks will be serving breakfast so our riders can stage, eat, and leave from the same location. Right now, the cost of entrance to the museum is $10, but Blaze is trying to get that lifted. If you are interested in going to the museum, please email Carol at carollolmstead@ymail.com so she can provide a head count. Rumor has it that the museum is planning to rope off a parking area for us.

You must be registered and CHECKED IN to go on this ride, so get to Ontario and get Checked In on Monday the 13th.

Registration
DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR THE RUN! We need you to register as early as possible so we can plan for Meals, Hotel needs, Fuel stops, staging, etc..  Are you not sure if you are coming? If you are committed and are coming, get registered. Help our teams get the information they need to plan for a successful Run.

REGISTER HERE.

 

Fundraiser
We will be doing a 50/50 draw in advance of May. Proceeds will go to The National Veterans Wellness and Healing Center in Angel Fire NM.

https://veteranswellnessandhealing.org/

Donations made through the RFTW website and Earmarked for Central Route 50/50 will receive the following entries based on donation amount. You can also Zelle the donation to Central.Route@Rftw.us  and note that it is for the 50/50. If you don’t designate the donation as Central Route 50/50, you will NOT BE ENTERED.

$25 gets one entry
$50 gets 3 Entries
100 gets 7 Entries
The Largest Donor overall will get 2 extra entries into the drawing.
PHOTO OF HOW TO DESIGNATE THE FUNDS on the Donation Page Below.

Cut off for this fundraiser will be April 25th. A drawing will be held in Ontario CA. If you are not present we will either send the Money to you via Zelle or a check. We will notify the winner and ask for their preference at that point.

 

Communications
The initial testing of the GMRS radios is coming along well. A few (minor) glitches have been identified and we are figuring out workarounds. Thank you to Harlan and Kirk Olson and a few others in Colorado (including riders from other Routes) for taking the time to figure out this new system that is a much less expensive, easier to procure and BETTER way to communicate going down the road. If you are in leadership (Pack leadership especially) I encourage you to look into the system we will be testing and participate in the test this year. Advance teams will not necessarily be involved in the testing this year, as they tend to be out ahead of the pack anyway. More information can be found in the newsletter from early January. Link is below.

January Newsletter #1

Below is the link for the Survey form for Pack leadership that plans on assisting in the test.
Survey

Important Links
For any questions you may have, check out our FAQs first.  Then your next level of inquiry can be
directed to your platoon leadership or team leaders of the team you have a question about. We’ve got a strong cadre of leadership in the Pack Platoons and they are a great source of information, as is our FNG Liaison, Bernadette “Flat Tire” Staples, for our first-timers. All contact information is available in the Central Route Hub on the RFTW website.  Additionally, familiarize yourself with our Rider Code of Conduct.

 

Upcoming Meetings


FNG ZOOM
We are having an FNG zoom meeting on Monday the 11th of March (time below).
1:00 PM Hawaii Time
4:00 PM CA time
5;00 PM Mountain time
6;00 PM Central time
7;00 PM Eastern time

The zoom invitation will be sent out on Saturday the 9th of March to all REGISTERED FNGs as of that day and Route Leadership, so if you have not registered yet you need to. Please note that in order to keep the meeting manageable, we will be following similar Protocol to what was used for the BOD Town Hall meetings.

All attendees are asked to remain Muted, unless asked by the Moderator (Me) or the ARC, to speak.
Questions should be addressed via the chat function and will be answered in the order they are received.
When the invitation is sent out it will have a brief agenda in the email as well so you will know what we plan to cover and have questions ready.

 

CENTRAL ROUTE TOWN HALL
We will be having a Central Route specific Town Hall meeting on the 26th of March at the below listed times.
1:00 PM Hawaii Time
4:00 PM CA time
5;00 PM Mountain time
6;00 PM Central time
7;00 PM Eastern time

The zoom invitation will be sent out on Saturday the 23rd of March to all REGISTERED personnel as of that day, so if you have not registered yet you need to. Please note that in order to keep the meeting manageable, we will be following similar Protocol to what was used for the BOD Town Hall meetings.
All attendees are asked to remain Muted, unless asked by the Moderator (Me) or the ARC, to speak.
Questions should be addressed via the chat function and will be answered in the order they are received.
When the invitation is sent out it will have a brief agenda in the email as well so you will know what we plan to cover and have questions ready.

CENTRAL ROUTE Communications Zoom
We will be having a zoom meeting on the 29th of March at the below listed times to discuss the GMRS Radio System Central Route will be trying out this year. The invite will go out in a separate newsletter as we get closer to the date..
1:00 PM Hawaii Time
4:00 PM CA time
5;00 PM Mountain time
6;00 PM Central time
7;00 PM Eastern time

Please note that in order to keep the meeting manageable, we will be following similar Protocol to what was used for the BOD Town Hall meetings.

All attendees are asked to remain Muted, unless asked by the Moderator (Me) or the ARC, to speak.
Questions should be addressed via the chat function and will be answered in the order they are received.
When the invitation is sent out it will have a brief agenda in the email as well so you will know what we plan to cover and have questions ready.

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Central Route Coordinator News February 2024 First Edition

Aloha RFTW  ‘Ohana,

IS IT MAY YET?

We all see this comment each year from June through May. Well, it isn’t May yet, but it is rapidly approaching. Our State Coordinators are busy finalizing our Route and Plans for our stops. Do not forget to shake their hands and thank them when you see them. We cannot do this without them.

Most of our Leadership/Volunteer spots are filled, but we are still looking for a Friends of Bill Coordinator (IYKYK) and a Videographer.
Our Director of Merchandise is still searching for Team Members. If you would like to volunteer for this important Position, please contact Merchandise@rftw.us for more information.

 

Fundraising
Our 50/50 Raffle to Benefit the National Veterans Wellness and Healing Center is doing OK, but not nearly as well as I had Hoped. Please see more information in my last Newsletter and Consider entering the 50/50 drawing and supporting a great Charity at the same time.

January Newsletter #2

Upcoming Meetings
We are Planning Several Zoom Meetings in the next 2 Months.
Leadership Meeting in Mid-February, For team leaders and Platoon Leadership.
FNG Meeting toward the end of February. Keep an Eye on your email that you used when registering for an Invitation to that.
Town Hall meeting for Central Route in Early March and a GMRS radio Zoom meeting about a week after that. Info on the March Meetings will go into the March newsletter.

Pre-Paid Fuel
We will have prepaid fuel. The cost will be determined once we have a comprehensive list of donated stops and are closer to our departure so we can check current fuel cost. Pre-Paid fuel will be prorated from Location joined to final Location. Stay Tuned. Prepaid fuel stickers will be available to purchase in Ontario Starting and each day at the evening stop and the Morning meeting. Our leadership Support team will be collecting for those and marking them with your destination. We will not be selling these in advance and will be accepting cash only. (No $1 dollar bills).

Other fun facts
As of today, Central Route has 329 people signed up with 95 being FNGs! Welcome FNGs!!

Communications
The initial testing of the GMRS radios is coming along well. A few (minor) glitches have been identified and we are figuring out workarounds. Thank you to Harlan and Kirk Olson and a few others in Colorado (including riders from other Routes) for taking the time to figure out this new system that is a much less expensive, easier to procure and BETTER way to communicate going down the road. If you are in leadership (Pack leadership especially) I encourage you to look into the system we will be testing and participate in the test this year. Advance teams will not necessarily be involved in the testing this year, as they tend to be out ahead of the pack anyway. More information can be found in the newsletter from early January. Link is below.

January Newsletter #1

Below is the link for the Survey form for Pack leadership that plans on assisting in the test.

Survey

Important Links

For any questions you may have, check out our FAQs first.  Then your next level of inquiry can be directed to your platoon leadership or team leaders of the team you have a question about. We’ve got a strong cadre of leadership in the Pack Platoons and they are a great source of information, as is our FNG Liaison, Bernadette “Flat Tire” Staples, for our first-timers. All contact information is available in the Central Route Hub on the RFTW website.  Additionally, familiarize yourself with our Rider Code of Conduct.

 

In closing, Please register as soon as Possible (Especially if you are in a leadership role).

REGISTER HERE!!!!!!

This is important for us to know about how many people and vehicles we will have on the Route for our planning purposes (Think Fuel, Staging, Meals etc.). If you are in leadership, it is especially important to register NOW, so I know we can count on your attendance and participation.

Be safe and start getting your bike and Body ready for the MISSION and see you soon.

MUCH ALOHA TO MY ‘OHANA
Nick “Richboy” Hentges
RFTW Central Route Coordinator 2024

Check out the Central Route Facebook Group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1422773938330162

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Central Route Coordinator January Newsletter Second Edition

Aloha RFWT ‘Ohana

Just a few things to update you on below.

Communications
We are working on a tutorial for the GMRS radios that we will be trying out this year. If you are planning to assist with the trial, Please go to the link below and fill out the survey so we can get an idea of who will be participating and include you in Monthly updates and a Zoom meeting in April to discuss the system.

Survey

Pre-Paid Fuel
We will have pre-Paid Fuel again this year. It will be prorated for where you join and where you will end your run. All riders with Pre-Paid Fuel MUST Fill up each night before going to staging in the Morning (Team Leaders will be checking). Those who choose not to use the Pre-Paid option will need cash (NO $1 Dollar bills; $5’s and $10’s ONLY Rounded UP.).  This system vastly sped up our fueling times last year giving everyone more time to drink, use the restroom and stretch at each fuel stop. Pre-Paid Fuel sales will start in Ontario at the All Hands Meeting on Tuesday (Time to Be Determined). Prepaid Fuel will be available each Morning BEFORE the Mandatory Morning meeting.

Fundraiser
We will be doing a 50/50 draw in advance of May. Proceeds will go to The National Veterans Wellness and Healing Center in Angel Fire NM.

https://veteranswellnessandhealing.org/

Donations made through the RFTW website and Earmarked for Central Route 50/50 will receive the following entries based on donation amount. You can also Zelle the donation to Central.Route@Rftw.us  and note that it is for the 50/50. If you don’t designate the donation as Central Route 50/50, you will NOT BE ENTERED.

$25 gets one entry

$50 gets 3 Entries

100 gets 7 Entries

The Largest Donor overall will get 2 extra entries into the drawing.
PHOTO OF HOW TO DESIGNATE THE FUNDS on the Donation Page Below.

Cut off for this fundraiser will be April 25th. A drawing will be held in Ontario CA. If you are not present we will either send the Money to you via Zelle or a check. We will notify the winner and ask for their preference at that point.

FNG Liaison
As you may know we have an FNG Liaison. Her name is Bernadette “Flat Tire” Staples. Her email is Bernadette.Staples@rftw.us Please reach out to her if you have any questions. She has also started a RFTW Central Route Facebook Group which is a good place to go get information and connect with other Central Route Riders. Please limit posts in this group to pertinent information specific to Central Route.

The Group can be found here.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1422773938330162

 

Registration
Please get registered ASAP. The price goes up Next WEEK!

There is a Board of Directors Town Hall Zoom THIS week (Thursday) to talk about registration. Please mark your calendars and try to attend. Link to the newsletter is below with all of the pertinent information.
NEWSLETTER

 

Merchandise

Our Director of Merchandise is still searching for Team Members. If you would like to volunteer for this important Position, please contact Merchandise@rftw.us for more information.

 

Stay Safe and start getting yourself and your Bike ready for the Run.

MUCH ALOHA TO MY ‘OHANA
Nick “Richboy” Hentges
RFTW Central Route Coordinator 2024

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CENTRAL ROUTE NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2024

Aloha and “hauʻoli makahiki hou” to my RFTW O’Hana

Well it is finally 2024, the year of the 34th annual Run for the Wall mission. Planning is coming along very well for Central Route. We had a Planning meeting Thursday and are well on our way to coordinate all of our stops along the way. Our State Coordinators and other leadership has been hard at work getting things coordinated for a smooth safe and meaningful RFTW.  Minus a few glitches here and there the hotel list release went well. If there are any issues, please contact the State Coordinator in that respective State to sort it out.

We will have an FNG Liaison this year.  Her name is Bernadette “Flat Tire” Staples” If you have questions about how we operate, please contact her directly at Bernadette.staples@rftw.us. Sometime in February or March we will have an FNG Zoom Meeting so make sure you check your emails for the newsletter with the information on that.

RFTW Central Route in May 2024 will be piloting a new communications system for on-road communications while underway during our 10-Day Mission from Ontario, CA to Washington, DC. We will be using GMRS Radios and a High Power repeater. This technology has much further range than CB, and with clearer reception and transmission.  CB Radios are old, antiquated, and is a dying technology.  With that being said, we would like to encourage as many people to participate in the pilot program as possible this coming May.  We are highly encouraging all Platoon Leaders, APL’s, Tail Gunners, Road Guards, Chaplains, and Medics to participate in this year’s pilot and test. Pack riders and FNGs are also certainly allowed to listen. 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 the #1 HIGHEST recommendation.)

The BEST solution we have found in trying out several options is the BTECH GMRS Pro Bluetooth Radio with a Wireless PTT Button.
This solution WILL connect to a Bluetooth Helmet set-up like a Sena, for example.
Link to BTECH GMRS Pro at Amazon – https://amzn.to/3S8dX03
Video on this Btech GMRS Pro Radio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkk5hY3hM2k
Link to Wireless PTT at Amazon –         https://amzn.to/3S6P84z
Video on this radio: https://youtu.be/Mkk5hY3hM2k?t=179
Optional BTECH GMRS Pro K1 Adapter Cable. Allows Seamless integration with K1 Accessories, like a speaker mic or connecting to a wired harness: https://amzn.to/48NFOZ7
The radio can also be purchased here: https://baofengtech.com/product/gmrs-pro/

Option 2:
Any GMRS Radio like these:
TID Radio H8 GMRS Radio: **Recommended
https://amzn.to/3vsL1XR or here
https://amzn.to/3tJSpxw  **Recommended (Value Pack)
Video on the TID Radio H8: https://youtu.be/8HXSlHT84yQ?si=7v9_WVTpZ0A9muRo
Baofeng UV-5RTPhttps://amzn.to/3tHoUMI
*These radios  are not Bluetooth from the manufacturer, so would best be used with a wired set-up, or external Bluetooth module.
External Bluetooth Module: https://amzn.to/3H6LGkg

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.
https://www.ruggedradios.com/collections/motorcycle-two-way-radio-helmet-communication-kits

Option 3:

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 good computer skills to program the radio.

We will still be using CB in 2024, and will likely move to the new system in 2025 and beyond, assuming the pilot test goes well.

Listening to a GMRS radio does not require a license from the FCC.
Transmitting on a GMRS frequency does 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

The Central Route RC, ARC, Comms Officer and some of our Road Guards already have their GMRS licenses.

Please contact for more information:
Kirk Olson –      Kirk.Olson@rftw.us     — Phone: 303-588-6125
Harlan Olson – Harlan.Olson@rftw.us – Phone: 303-717-4514

Keep in mind the radio used must be be repeater capable and able to use CTSS encryption, which almost all GMRS radios are.

Keep your eye out for a follow on newsletter later this month about fundraising and prepaid fuel. We will be doing a 50/50 fundraiser before the RUN and will be doing prepaid fuel again this year. Details to follow on both of these topics.

If you are not receiving the newsletters in your mailbox, please sign up. Much information that is important and pertinent will be passed in the next couple of months and that information will be in the newsletters! Much easier to just open your e-mail and read about it than it is to go on FB or call and email people to get answers to things that have already been covered in a newsletter. The sign up is at the bottom of the rftw.us website and is simple to do.

 

In closing, Please remember to register before the cost goes up on 1 February.

REGISTER HERE!!!!!!

This is important for us to know about how many people and vehicles we will have on the Route for our planning purposes (Think Fuel, Staging, Meals etc.). If you are in leadership, it is especially important to register NOW, so I know we can count on your attendance and participation.

Be safe start getting your bike and Body ready for the MISSION and see you soon.

MUCH ALOHA TO MY ‘OHANA
Nick “Richboy” Hentges
RFTW Central Route Coordinator 2024

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Central Route Newsletter December 2023 WHY WE RIDE

Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka to my Run for the Wall O’Hana

After nearly 51 years, Captain Ronald Wayne Forrester has been found. Remains found a the crash site of his aircraft have been positively identified as his. His Daughter, Karoni “Hoops” Forrester (Pictured with her Father in the Above photo) is the head of the Outreach team for Southern Route and has been fighting for decades to bring her daddy home and get closure for her family.  THIS IS WHY WE RIDE! Link to his bio is below. Please keep demanding an accounting of our missing Service Members. What we do makes a difference!

Captain Forrester Status

Synopsis

I am also linking a President’s newsletter from January of 2023. Please take a moment to read/re-read this message. It is very well written and is a good reminder of why we ride.

President’s Message 9 Jan 2023

In other news, Planning for RFTW XXXIV is coming along well. State Coordinators are working their magic. The hotel list will be coming out on January 1st. Please be patient and courteous to the hotel folks when you call to reserve your room. We are all Ambassadors for the Run and politeness goes a long way in maintaining our relationships with those that support us along the Routes.

If you haven’t done so yet, please consider donating to the Run before the end of the year so you can claim it on your taxes. RFTW is a 501C(3) nonprofit. You can go to the link below and donate online or you can Zelle directly to Central route at central.route@rftw.us 

Donate Here

If you donate through the website, please make sure you designate where you want the donation to go (Central Route, Southern Route, General, etc.).

 

DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR THE RUN! We need you to register as early as possible so we can plan for Meals, Hotel needs, Fuel stops, staging, etc..  Are you not sure if you are coming? If you are committed and are coming, get registered. Help our teams get the information they need to plan for a successful Run. Also the price goes up on 1 February!

REGISTER HERE.

 

 

The Central Route is in need of a Merchandise team leader. See the newsletter from our Director of merchandise in the link below. We have a Driver and Vehicle but need a Sales team leader. Requirements are in the newsletter linked below.

Newsletter

We are planning to do a “Town Hall” Zoom for the Central Route in Early January. Keep an eye on your email for a newsletter with more information.

Please have a safe and enjoyable Holiday season and remember those who are not able to be with their loved ones during this time of year.

Today, take a moment to remember those approximately 2400 Americans lost and 1200 that were wounded on this day in 1941 during the attack on Pearl Harbor that thrust us into WWII.

Remember the Mission and continue to plan for the upcoming RUN. See you all soon!

MUCH ALOHA TO MY ‘OHANA
Nick “Richboy” Hentges
RFTW Central Route Coordinator 2024

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Central Route Newsletter November 13th, 2023

Aloha Run for the Wall O’hana,

Sadly, as many of you know, RFTW and Central Route lost one of our own this month in a Motorcycle accident.  Audrey Mangan was killed in a Motorcycle accident last week. A Memorial Service is scheduled for the 16th of December . Information for the Memorial Service is below.

From Audrey’s Mom, Jean Harrison.
“If it is on your heart to make a donation to some organization in Audrey’s name please do so to “Run For The Wall
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DONATION IS IN AUDREY’S Memory and should go to the Central Route Fund.
Also: to repost the service information. Jean requested to remember those not on social media and share service information with them, please.
Audrey’s service:
Dec 16, 2023. 10am
Presbyterian Church
702 Euclid Avenue Beaumont, CA.”
We are all at loss for words, but several have expressed their feelings and Love for Audrey on Audrey’s Facebook page and elsewhere. If you are on Facebook you can see some of the very poignant tributes to Audrey here.
Audrey was a true Patriot and an overall GOOD Person. She will be missed by all that knew her.

I will follow up in my next regular newsletter with any additions to the plans for the Memorial Service. Please keep Audrey’s Family in your thoughts and Prayers.

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Central Route Newsletter October 2023

Aloha RFTW O’Hana,

Registration is off to a great Start. We have 269 people signed up already in just under one month. 99 of them are on the Central Route. I encourage everyone to get on line and get registered NOW. We need the projected numbers for planning purposes. Our State Coordinators are already working on Hotel accommodations, fuel and meal stops. Knowing how many bikes and people we are expecting is a huge help in the planning process.

 

REGISTER HERE!!

Things are going pretty smoothly with our planning. We do still need some volunteers.

We are looking for a 50/50 Rouser, a Videographer, and Merchandise team Leader and Driver. If you are interested in the Merchandise team positions, Please reach out directly to Alan “XBox” Steiner at merchandise@rftw.us for more information. If you are interested in the 50/50 or Videographer positions, please email Kirk “Prettyboy” Olson at kirk.olson@rftw.us

We have an event coming up in Southern California at the end of October and we are looking for RFTW Riders to come and support it. This is the Community Kickoff Event for Homes for our Troops (HFOT). RFTW Donated money to HFOT to assist in building adapted homes for wounded Veterans. This month the Community Kickoff Ceremony for HM3 Nathaniel “Randell” Leoncio is Scheduled for 2:00 PM October 28th in San Marcos, CA.

Information about Doc Leoncio can be found here.

MORE INFO

News Article 

Bronze Star

We have created a sign up form on google docs to sign up for the event so we can plan for the numbers that will  be attending. We are looking for Motorcycles to Escort Doc Leoncio to the Church where the ceremony is going to be held. Staging (Currently) is slated to be at Lot “C” at California State University-San Marcos. Address is  333 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd, San Marcos, CA 92078. Staging will be at 1:30 PM at lot C. There will be a rider’s brief and a chance to meet the Recipient Doc Leoncio and then we will escort him to the Church for the Ceremony. We are also looking for any volunteers to assist the PGR with a flag line at the church.

 

SIGN UP SHEET LINK

More information to come. If you sign up on the google doc, please make sure we have a good email address and cell phone number, so we can send updates and changes as needed.

Remember the Mission and continue to plan for the upcoming RUN. See you all soon!

MUCH ALOHA TO MY ‘OHANA
Nick “Richboy” Hentges
RFTW Central Route Coordinator 2024

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CENTRAL ROUTE COORDINATOR NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2023 REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Aloha RFTW O’Hana,
IS IT MAY YET? I have heard this cry since 2009 and it always makes me happy. Happy to see the excitement and anticipation for the next Run for the Wall. I am sorry to say that it isn’t May yet, but at the pace we are going it will be soon! Planning is (as always) underway. Our State Coordinators are doing their MAGIC and things are coming together.

Registration begins in just a couple of days. I encourage everyone to get online as soon as Registration begins on 9-11-2023 and get yourself registered and committed to RFTW XXXIV (2024).

 

REGISTER HERE/Opens at 0846 Eastern time 9-11-2023

 

By pre-registering as soon as possible, you make it a lot more manageable for our Team that does all of the planning for a successful and fulfilling Run. The numbers of Bikes and People generated from the Pre-Registration Process helps to determine where we can park at various stops, how many meals our generous supporters need to plan for and so any other things that go on behind the scenes (hotel requirements, meals, donated t-shirts, pre-paid fuel planning, merchandise items, etc.). We NEED these numbers in order to have a successful RUN.
These numbers also drive procurement of items for the various Route Merchandise Trailers as well as help us to plan for Platoon assignments and so many other aspects of our planning.

Angel Fire

I just returned home to Hawai’i from a wonderful weekend serving the Veterans Community and reuniting with RFTW O’hana at our annual Workday and Reunion in Angel Fire, NM. We had a great time seeing each other on Friday Night at the reception followed by the ceremony on Saturday where we placed 5 Medal of Honor Bricks and Approximately 500 regular bricks at the Memorial. We had riders and family from all four Routes in attendance. Many thanks go out to the teams behind the scenes that made this all work.

Kenny “Scooter” Keelin spent 3-4 WEEKS prepping the grounds and coordinating the supplies and equipment needed to make this Workday a success. He was assisted by Kathryn “Literal-E” Ewing and Bob “Just Bob” Thornton in these efforts. Kathryn gathered all of the sides and condiments for our reception dinner held on Friday and coordinated with the Laguna Vista to provide us with a place to have the dinner as well as grills to cook the Meat. Kirk Olson Prepped and cooked 96 pounds of Tri-Tip for our dining pleasure (so much nicer than “finger foods and find your own dinner”). His parents Harlan and Janelle helped with the prep and drove the meat down from Colorado in a huge cooler. So many people worked tirelessly to make this event a success that I am sure I will miss someone. Thanks go out to Jenny “Lady Jen” Ward and her Husband Ken “Catfish” Ward, as well as (Road names from here on), Rev Kev, Paparazzi, Squirrel, Dirt, the Road Guard tent team (Too many to name), Clutch and Lady G, Fly Girl, The KS crew led by Dennis Kaylor, and so many others. I am sure I have missed a couple of people and I apologize in advance. So many people stepped up and assisted to make the Workday and Reunion a fun and worthwhile event.

Oh, did i mention Stormwatch (Kim Greeley), my wife who has supported me in this endeavor since 2009 even though she is scared to death of motorcycles. She has ridden ATW 8 times on the bike, gone ATW 3 other times in a cage and participated one time on the Bike. Kim was a behind the scenes whirlwind at the reunion as she has been for me every time I have been on the Run.

Click Here for the most recent Southern Route Newsletter for information about the upcoming All Riders Reunion in Kerrville. 

Jim “Hoofer” McCrain Dropped in on the Reunion Dinner and was kind enough to take a bunch of Photos of the festivities. Link below to the photo album.

 

 

Hoofer’s Photos of the Angel Fire Event

Remember the Mission and continue to plan for the upcoming RUN. See you all soon!

MUCH ALOHA TO MY ‘OHANA
Nick “Richboy” Hentges
RFTW Central Route Coordinator 2024

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Central Route Special Newsletter WHY WE RIDE

This is a copy of a Facebook post of one of our riders. I have known Karoni (Hoops) for over a decade (We were FNGs together on different Routes). I am honored to call her a Friend. Read below and think about the fact that Karoni and many others are still searching for closure and they are beginning to get that due to the efforts of Groups like us!

Our Mission Statement reads; “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.”

 
We have some big news in the Forrester family. Over the past few months, the US government has conducted two excavations of Daddy’s crash site. The site is still open and there are additional Joint Field Activities (JFAs) being scheduled to complete the excavation. During the two excavations this year, osseous material (potential bone fragments) and two teeth were recovered as well as life support equipment (LSE) indicating at least one crew member was in the aircraft when it when down. It was confirmed to be the right crash site when, in June, the team found the dog tag belonging to the pilot, Capt. Jim Chipman, along with a fragment of a credit card with Dad’s name on it. While the credit card remains a mystery (he didn’t need gas money!), the dog tag confirmed for us that Capt. Jim Chipman went down in his A-6A on 12/27/72. Today we learned the lab in Hawaii has positively identified both teeth as Capt. Chipman’s.
We still have a long journey ahead as DNA sequencing is being done in the lab on the osseous material recovered and there is more to excavate. We do not know if Dad’s remains are among the bone fragments recovered. The DNA process is tedious and takes 12 – 18 months at times. Each small fragment recovered must be tested.
The GREAT news is that Capt. Jim Chipman, USMC, is coming home after 50 years. Our hearts are with the Chipman family during this bittersweet time for celebration. It’s been a long road for our families to get this far and we couldn’t have done it without the love and support we’ve received from you all over so many years. Thank you! More to come…

Photo of Capt. Ronald W. Forrester

Karoni and Her Father

MUCH ALOHA TO MY ‘OHANA
Nick “Richboy” Hentges
RFTW Central Route Coordinator 2024

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CENTRAL ROUTE COORDINATOR NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2023 ANGEL FIRE WORKDAY/REUNION

Aloha RTFW ‘Ohana,

Greetings from a Sunny and pleasant Honolulu. We are getting close to our Workday and Reunion in Angel Fire. So far, we have 82 people planning to attend and Lay Bricks at the Memorial and enjoy some camaraderie. If you have not signed up, please go to the link below as soon as possible. We have to receive payment no later than the 18th of August so we can finalize our counts with the caterer for Dinner Saturday as well as gather ingredients for our BBQ reception at the Laguna Vista on Friday.

LINK TO SIGN UP SHEET

Reunion: Friday, September 1st to Sunday, September 3rd with DINNER on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023
Dinner Address: 74 N Tomboy Dr, Eagle Nest, NM
Thursday and Friday 31 August & 1 September
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 1 September, 6 PM
Reception at Laguna Vista Saloon

Saturday 2 September
All times are approximate and subject to change.

7:00 AM Pre-Program Activity & Set Up (Breakfast Sandwiches/Coffee Provided)

8:30 AM Opening Ceremony with Mounted Honor Guard, Followed by laying of Westphal Foundation Bricks.
9:00 AM Medal of Honor Brick Laying.
2:30 PM (Approx.) End of Workday – After last brick is laid the workday will conclude.
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 3 September
8:00 AM Church Services at Angel Fire Memorial Chapel (Kevin Riley)

NOTE: This is not an official Run for the Wall event. This is a gathering of individuals to support the Brick Laying and to get together. Riders and supporters from all Routes are Welcome.

 

OTHER NEWS

In other news, we have begun meeting with different Leadership to start planning for 2024. We have a few changes that you may have noticed on the website (Link to Central Route Hub). We have reduced the number of platoons to 6 2-wheel platoons, 1 Trailer platoon and 2 Trike platoons. This reduction is due to the lower number of riders we have experienced the last couple of years.

We will be meeting with our State Coordinators in a couple of weeks and discussing each state from border to border and identifying areas of concern from 2023 and areas to improve in 2024.

We are also making this the year to get “BACK TO THE BASICS” and refocus on our MISSION. I welcome any ideas from Riders on how we can re-focus on the Mission. One way I plan on doing this is to expand on what we started last year, which is to get out and find more Veterans Organizations to raise money for (DONATE HERE) as well as the Schools we historically contribute to. I have also asked our Ambassador and Outreach Teams to start identifying more Veterans Homes and Memorials, etc. to Visit along our Route. We plan on including more platoon riders on these Ambassador and Outreach missions. As we get closer to Kick Stands Up (KSU), we will have more information on these added visits and information on how to get involved with them.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are still in need of Volunteers for a few Positions. Currently we are looking for a Raffle Rouser, 50/50 Rouser and Sit-Rep Writer. If you are interested in any of these positions, please fill out a Volunteer form (Located in the Central Route Hub on the Website) and step up!

I Hope to see Many of you in Angel Fire in a few short weeks!

MUCH ALOHA TO MY ‘OHANA
Nick “Richboy” Hentges
RFTW Central Route Coordinator 2024