Welcome to the Midway Route 10th Anniversary Run For The Wall XXXIV, 2024.
I am proud to announce the Board of Directors approved Midway Route for another eleven-day run for 2024. I want to express my personal appreciation for the consideration and support that the Board provided to Midway with this decision. The Midway leadership and the State Coordinators have all been informed of the decision and have already started work to create another successful Midway Run. We will again visit Fort Sill, have an expanded Outreach Day in Cookeville, and visit the Army Museum. (Standby for details as they are developed)
I would encourage anyone wanting to participate or attend an upcoming all hands reunion to do so. You can find information and registration on Central or Southern Route’s August Newsletters located on the RFTW website. Angel Fire is 1 Sep-3 Sep and Kerrville is 27 Sep-1 Oct. Both are on the near horizon act soon to ensure your place.
Planning for 2024 has begun in earnest now that we have our Route Approval from the Board. The Hotel Coordinator is contacting our host hotels (Standby Changes are coming based on AARs.) State Coordinators are now talking with both, the communities and organizations that support us. The Road Guard Captain is reviewing last year’s itinerary and making changes based off AAR input.
Advance Team Leader: Ed Brundage
Staging Team Leader: Gina Cutrer
We are reorganizing to try and facilitate some of the Bathroom issues at short fuel stops. All these relooks are based on your input through the AAR Process. I want to continue to encourage each of you to fill out an After-Action Report (AAR) to help your leadership continue to make improvements to the Midway Route. The AAR Link is: https://rftw.us/submit-an-after-action-report/. All input is important to me; the GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY. I assure you, the leadership considers all suggestions and will make improvements where possible.
Always remember the Mission. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of keeping that as our focus!!
The Run For The Wall mission is “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 – to support this mission!
With Mission in mind the Board in the Face to Face developed a theme for 2024” BACK TO BASICS”. The idea is to ensure we don’t lose focus on the fact that RFTW is primarily a motorcycle event in support of the Mission. Leadership within the Routes should be participating as motorcycle riders to set that tone by example!
Opportunities for service within RFTW and the Midway Route are still available through the volunteer form on the website link: (https://rftw.us/volunteer-sign-up/). If you would like to be in a leadership position or serve as a team member please submit your Volunteer Form today. This will help us develop the teams early to facilitate the Midway 2024 planning cycle.
IS IT MAY YET!!!
SERVANT LEADERSHIP & SAFETY
Don “10-A-SEE” King
RFTW Midway Route Coordinator,
2024, 10th Anniversary
Welcome to the Midway Route 10th Anniversary Run For The Wall XXXIV, 2024. I am humbled and honored to have been selected to serve as the Midway Route Coordinator for 2024. I want all to know the servant leadership of Midway is alive and well. As a previous Route Coordinator said, Servitude over Attitude Promotes Healing! I told him the other day I was going to plagiarize him and use that phrase as our theme for Midway 2024. I think it says everything that Midway is about and has developed within the Leadership Corp. I would like to announce the approval by the RFTW Board of Directors of Eric Fort as the Assistant Route Coordinator and Leo Rachmel as the Road Guard Captain. We are all available to each of you at anytime during the planning and execution of the 2024 Midway Route. Our contact information and other leadership positions will be announce in the near future on the website.
I want to encourage each of you to fill out an After Action Report (AAR) to help your leadership continue to make improvements to the Midway Route. The Link is: After Action Reports . All input is important to me; the GOOD , the BAD, and the UGLY. Be sure to comment on the Fort Sill visit, as well as, your thoughts about the outreach day in Cookeville. I assure you, the leadership will consider all suggestions and make improvements where possible. I am excited about the Midway 2023 expansion and the opportunities for improvement in 2024. The events and schools added in 2023 will hopefully become a staple for Midway as we move toward future milestones. The communities of Lawton/Fort Sill and Cookeville really outdid themselves. The outreaches provided an opportunity for all riders to participate. Every community with an outreach provided us with a lunch, as well as, outstanding community participation.
The Run For The Wall mission is “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 – to support this mission!
The RFTW Mission is most important and should be the focal point for all leadership decisions and provide the bedrock for our planning. With that in mind, opportunities for servitude within RFTW and the Midway Route is available through the volunteer form on the website. If you would like to be in a leadership position or serve on a team please apply now. This will help us develop the teams early to facilitate the Midway 2024 planning cycle. I guess you have figured out by now Planning for 2024 has already begun.
It is May! 12 days from this morning, we will be restless with anticipation of beginning our trek as we cross our Nation. As of this morning there are 1,181 participants registered for Run For The Wall! Outstanding!
HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE!!
We are 1 Mission, 4 Routes! Our Run For The Wall mission for all 4 Routes is “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.”
In the April Newsletter, we discussed fuel payments. We are now offering new pre-paid options:
1) $10.00 per day at the first fuel stop.
2) Pre-paid fuel – At “check-in” registration you will have the option of pre-paid fuel for a one-time cost of $100.00. You will receive a wristband and sticker. This process will expedite the fueling process. Riders will not need to search for the “$10.00.”
All “extra” monies collected will support fuel and our charities and the schools we support along the Midway Route during the Run.
It was fantastic to “see” everyone at the FNG orientation meeting. We introduced members of the Midway Leadership, various factors and conditions of the Run, Staging and Fueling procedures, & Gina “Le’ Spice” Cutrer, Staging Team Lead, revealed her new staging team flags, and we discussed the expectations of the riders while on the Run.
Midway Route Leadership continues to work on the finer details. Cookeville Outreach registration/participation is continuing to grow daily. And the Ft. Sill visit is going to be phenomenal.
This will be my last newsletter prior to Ontario KSU. I pray for safe travels for everyone on your journey to join the Run. See you soon.
Honor
Hope
Healing
Jerry “Corp” Wilkins
2023 RFTW Midway Route Coordinator
I have been unable to sleep much tonight. I am often asked, “Why do you do this motorcycle thing”. We all know the Mission statement, however, when we are on the Run, we see every day why we ride; the Mission is part of our heart and soul. I received an email last night from Rich “Cadillac” Crombie. With Rich’s permission I have copied and pasted his email below:
My name is Rich “Cadillac” Crombie and I am registered for this year’s RFTW event and I will be doing the Midway route with my fellow shipmate Bill “COB” Brehler who was an FNG last year. I am an FNG this year.
I hope I am not too late, this whole process is still new to me, but COB mentioned that I need to contact you to arrange for me to do a Missing Man leg along the route. He did it last year on my behalf for my son David “Nick” Crombie.
My son was killed in action while serving in Iraq (Ramadi to be exact). He was a PFC medic serving in the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry, U.S. Army and was killed on June 7th, 2006 while on a night patrol and I will be riding in honor of him this year. I’d be so grateful if I could participate in the Missing Man formation in honor of my son Nick if there are any spots still available.
The Run For The Wall mission is “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 – to support this mission!
In reference to Fuel Stops, due to the hard work and donations from many of our Midway Family, each rider will need to plan for a $10.00 per day payment at one fuel stop. The $10.00 will help pay for fuel and our charities and the schools we support along the Midway Route during the Run. I would encourage you to participate in the 50/50 raffles and other promotions (the promotions team has worked hard to have special and different items daily) so the Midway Route can further it’s support for the Veterans Organizations, charities, churches and communities that support the Midway Route as we travel across our Nation.
Day 4, Friday, May 19, 2023, Amarillo, TX to Shawnee, OK: Words are not sufficient to describe how amazing this day will be. This will be our visit to Ft. Sill, OK where we will meet with approximately 20 Gold Star Families. Fort Sill and Lawton supports the largest geographic concentration of Gold Star Families in the US, approximately 105 families. It will be our honor to pay tribute to the Native American community at the Chief’s Knoll where three tribal leaders are buried. The tribal Counsel including Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache local tribal leaders and members will participate with us throughout our Lunch and will Bless our bikes during our departure from Fort Sill. We hope to have a Medal of Honor Recipient, State and Local leaders, and the Commanding General as our guest for Lunch also. Midway Advance and Fuel Teams will visit and luncheon at the Lawton Veterans Center, lay wreaths at the National Cemetery in Elgin, OK and Oklahoma Veterans Memorial in Shawnee, OK. Thanks to Mark “Mazz” Masman, OK State Coordinator, and Mike “Heavy” King, Asst. OK State Coordinator.
Day 7, Monday, May 22. 2023: There have been many different name variations for this day. I prefer, Continuing the Mission. There are three voluntary Outreach Missions. Outreach #1 to Murfreesboro, TN; Outreach #2 to Lebanon, TN; and, Outreach #3 to Sunbright,TN. We will stage in the host hotel parking lot, riders briefing at 9:00am, we will depart NLT 9:30am and be back at host hotel NLT 3:00pm. We will parade as a group at 4:45 pm to dinner at the Leslie Town Center that evening escorted by the Local Leos. Those pulling trailers will be able to unhook for the day. Cookeville has rolled out the red carpet for us so let’s give them all our support with 100% participation the entire day. A sign up sheet has been added to the Midway Hub for you to choose which Outreach you wish to participate in if any. There is also a question on the form to measure rider interest and size requirements for the Cookeville long sleeve white ONE OF A KIND Honor T-shirt. Click here to go directly to the form, or click the link under my picture on the Midway Route Hub webpage.
Midway Route leadership and state coordinators are meeting monthly. From platoon leaders, to the gas stops, to the law enforcement escorts, every detail of our journey is being scrutinized, analyzed, reviewed and reviewed again. 2023 Midway Route is going to be a ride you will not forget. This ride will change your life!
In less than 50 days we will be gathering in Ontario, be prepared for the ride of your life!
Welcome Home
Is it May yet?
Jerry “Corp” Wilkins
“Service Before Self”
RFTW 2023 Midway Route Coordinator
Email- jerry.wilkins@rftw.us
Four Routes, One Mission!
Greetings from hot, cold, rainy, sunshiny, Southern California! Piper has been releasing it fury as it heads across our Nation. Stay Safe!
The Run For The Wall mission is “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 – to support this mission!
May is rapidly approaching, 79 days from this morning we will be departing Ontario, CA on our way to Flagstaff, AZ, our first night’s stop, as we continue with our Mission, Never Forget Their Sacrifice.
At this time there are 978 riders registered to participate. 236 of those registered are on the Midway Route. We are the smallest registered of the four routes, however, we are mighty, we are Family. Welcome to the Midway Family.
Congratulations and thank you are in order. Randall “Mullet” Olguin has volunteered as 2023 Midway Route Quartermaster. Dale and Ruth McCullough have taken on the very important task as 2023 Midway Route Merchandise Team Lead. Thank you, Randall, Dale and Ruth, for your support.
IMPORTANT HOTEL UPDATE
We just learned that the host hotel, Sure Stay Plus by Best Western in Albuquerque, NM is CLOSING FOR BUSINESS March 31st, 2023. I have verified alternate hotels listed on RFTW website, i.e., Days Inn by Wyndham and Econo Lodge, and both have vacancies. We have designated the Days Inn by Wyndham as the new Host hotel. If you had reservations at the Best Western, you need to re-book your stay in Albuquerque ASAP!
Below are links to additional hotels on the “East” side of town within a reasonable distance of the staging area.
Congratulations to Super Bowl winners Michael Holas and Steven Cathey, 3rd and 4th quarter winners respectfully. Thank you, Gina Cutrer, for your diligent work in raising fuel donations. I am confident Midway riders greatly appreciate your efforts.
Midway Route Leadership is meeting monthly to ensure our trek across our Nation is tuned to perfection. Every turn is being analyzed, morning staging areas, daily fuel stops, meals, LEO support, etc. Your platoon leaders are working to ensure you will receive the latest information each morning.
Midway Route could still use volunteers in Platoons Leadership, Staging and Promotions. If you are looking to give back to the Run and you are not an FNG, here is a great way: go to the RFTW website, Midway Route Hub, click on “Volunteer Sign-Up”.
It is not too early to make sure your bikes are serviced and in good condition for a cross country trip. It is a good idea to get some saddle time in and get yourself in riding shape as well! Start exercising each day, make sure your medications are in order prior to departing home. Prepare yourself for the Run. Run For The Wall is not your typical ride, it can be physically and emotionally challenging.
Is it May yet?
Hope that all MIA and POW’s find closure
Honor all KIA
Healing for our Veterans and the 22 per day
Mission First.
Jerry “Corp” Wilkins
“Service Before Self”
RFTW 2023 Midway Route Coordinator
Email- jerry.wilkins@rftw.us One Mission ~ Four Routes
My name is Jerry Wilkins, and I have been honored by the Run For The Wall (RFTW) Board of Directors by being appointed as the 2023 Midway Route Coordinator. This will be my first newsletter, with many more to follow.
I ride this year in memory of my Father, my Hero, Robert B. Wilkins, WW II Army Veteran.
In early 2004 Glen “Wombat” Waggoner, 2019 Midway Route Coordinator, told me about Run For the Wall. I participated in 2004. Upon my return I told my wife, Patti, I had participated in an event greater than anything else I have ever been involved in. I am not a Veteran. I knew in my heart and soul; this is a manner in which I could say thank you to those who have given so much to our Freedoms. Due to work restrictions, I was not able to go All The Way until 2011. Since that time, I have volunteered 2010 – 2013 as Central Route Fuel Team, Tailgunner and Fuel Team Lead, 2014 – 2019 Midway Route as Fuel Team Tailgunner and Fuel Team Lead, Asst. Advance Team Lead, Advance Team Lead, 2020 – and 2022 Midway Assistant Route Coordinator.
The Midway Route is not just a route but is a FAMILY. We have developed a family culture over the years and I intend to carry on that tradition. We don’t just say the words; it is part of our culture. We have a “servant leadership” that is there to help you get safely across the country. Everyone, whether in a leadership position or not, is here to answer your questions. The route is about you and the Mission and not about leadership. Everyone’s safety is of utmost importance.
Earlier this month, Midway Route long time supporters Bill and Cathy Clark, Merchandise Lead and Quartermaster informed RFTW they would not be able to participate in 2023. I would like to personally thank Bill and Cathy for many years of Service to Run For The Wall. For those of you interested in taking over this awesome task and giving back to the Run, feel free to contact me directly at jerry.wilkins@rftw.us
Midway Route needs you to consider volunteering to help with both Staging and Promotions teams. The Staging process will be changed for 2023. Staging has come into the modern era with changes to the platoon placement markings making the job physically easier and less stressful. We will improve hydration opportunities and provide medical support. Staging is such an important aspect of daily organization on the route and we need your help. Please contact Gina Cutrer by email at gina.cutrer@rftw.us or call her directly at 225-202-5328. If you would like to volunteer for any position on Midway Route, please fill out the Volunteer Request Form (CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER). Between now and May 2023 there will be openings on different teams. By volunteering now, you will be on the ready list to be asked to join a team.
It is my Honor and Privilege to announce Don “Ten-A-See” King as Assistant Route Coordinator, Leo “Rucksack” Rachmel as Road Guard Captain and Ryan ‘Pipes” Long as Assistant Road Guard Captain. I know each of them personally and we all ride for the Mission.
Hope that all MIA and POW’s find closure
Honor all KIA
Healing for our Veterans and the 22 per day
Mission First.
Jerry “Corp” Wilkins
“Service Before Self”
RFTW 2023 Midway Route Coordinator
Email- jerry.wilkins@rftw.us
Four Routes, One Mission!
As your Midway Route Coordinator I am proud to announce Don “Ten-A-See” King as the new Assistant Route Coordinator for Midway Route 2023.
I am also pleased to announce that Leo “Rucksack” Rachmel will be the Road Guard Captain for Midway Route 2023.
We are all working hard to make RFTW XXXIII the best it can be in 2023! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday season. Is it May YET?!?!?!!!!!
Your Midway Route Coordinator,
Jerry “Corp” Wilkins
P.S. If you haven’t registered for the 2023 Run for the Wall yet, what are you waiting for? Register today. Rates go up on Feb 1st!
The Board of Directors wishes to share that Jim “Bruzer” Bruzewski has, for personal reasons, stepped down as the RC for the Midway Route for 2023. Bruzer has long dedicated his free time to advance the mission of RFTW, and as we move forward with our 2023 planning, his zest and energy will be missed. Jerry Wilkins agreed, and the BoD has approved, his appointment as Midway RC. Jerry will nominate his ARC and the BoD will act on that nomination as soon as possible.
With that said, I do want to celebrate the birthdays of all branches of service and hope that all of you have a meaningful VETERANS DAY. We need to continually honor our veterans every day of the year and this gives us a special day to honor them. All have given so much to assure that you and I have the freedoms that we do. It takes a lot of sacrifice and dedication and many have suffered individually as a result of that service and dedication. A great deal of you return home and you do not feel the same as when you left, and many of you are not the same person while still on active duty. These symptoms had different names over several centuries and in 1980 the behavioral health community developed diagnostic criteria and officially recognized POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD). The United States military and the Department of Veteran Affairs have developed programs to more effectively help active-duty personnel and veterans. Even with the availability of these programs, there are thousands of individuals still suffering. I am speaking in terms of military personnel here, however, PTSD can affect anyone. In several newsletters, my intention is to create more awareness about this problem. Part of the Run for the Wall mission is to “promote healing among all veterans, their families and friends”. The information presented below is from the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress which is part of the Department of Veterans Affairs:
“(The National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress) We are the world’s leading research and educational center of excellence on PTSD and traumatic stress.
PTSD is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening or traumatic event. If symptoms last more than a few months, it may be PTSD. The good news is that there are effective treatments.
It’s normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping after a traumatic event (also called “trauma”). At first, it may be hard to do daily activities you are used to doing, like go to work, go to school, or spend time with people you care about. But most people start to feel better after a few weeks or months. For some people, PTSD symptoms may start later, or they may come and go over time. If it’s been longer than a few months and thoughts and feelings from the trauma are upsetting you or causing problems in your life, you may have PTSD.
Anyone can develop PTSD at any age. Some factors can increase the chance that someone will have PTSD, many of which are not under that person’s control. For example, having a very intense or long-lasting traumatic event or getting injured during the event can make it more likely that a person will develop PTSD. PTSD is also more common after certain types of trauma, like combat and sexual assault.
Personal factors—like previous traumatic exposure, age, and gender—can affect whether or not a person will develop PTSD. What happens after the traumatic event is also important. Stress can make PTSD more likely, while social support can make it less likely.”
I want to thank Mike “Papa Mike” Cash and his foundation, OPERATION FAMILY, for providing us with this information and guidance on this very important issue.
Next month we will publish more on this subject.
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On another note, Midway Route needs you to consider volunteering to help with both staging and promotions teams. The Staging process will be changed for 2023. Staging has come into the modern era with changes to the platoon placement markings making the job physically easier and less stressful. We will improve hydration opportunities and provide medical support. Staging is such an important aspect of daily organization on the route and we need your help. Please contact Gina Cutrer by email at gina.cutrer@rftw.us or call her directly at 225-202-5328. If you would like to volunteer for any position on Midway Route, please fill out the Volunteer Request Form (CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER). Between now and May 2023 there will be openings on different teams. By volunteering now, you will be on the ready list to be asked to join a team.
I am pleased to announce the Midway Route will have two fundraiser activities for this coming year that were successes last year. Our Promotions Team Leaders for 2023 are Gina “LeSpice” Cutrer and Randy “Mullet” Olgion. The first is the HOTEL DRAWING. This was an awesome fundraiser in 2022 and we are doing it again. The prize is $1000 which is approximately the amount it will take to pay for most of your hotel expenses or anything you need. The money raised from this drawing will go to support our adopted schools and our fuel stops.
The cost per ticket is $10.00 or you can purchase seven tickets for $50.00! If you purchase $100.00 worth, you will get 20 tickets and $150 gets you 30 tickets. ANYONE CAN PARTICIPATE. You do not have to be a registered rider for Run for the Wall. You can be a non-participant. You can sit at home or be on the beach in Cabo.
DRAWING IS JANUARY 1, 2023
If you would like to purchase HOTEL DRAWING tickets, please make a check out to RFTW Midway Route and send it to:
Gina Cutrer 33538 Nancy Drive Walker, LA 70785
You may also use Venmo:
@Gina-Cutrer-1
Our next fundraiser is the SUPER BOWL DRAWING. It is early, however, we are beginning to make an effort to raise the money to support the fuel cost for every rider on the Midway Route this year by conducting various fundraising activities. So, we are offering a Super Bowl Football Board opportunity to support the Midway Route fuel costs. Winners will be receiving a gift card to use during the 2023 RFTW ride.
Buy a Super Bowl 2023 square for $25.00 or $100.00 buys you 5 squares or buy as many entries as you like! The winning square at the end of each Quarter will receive a $100.00 Walmart Gift Card. End of game score is the fourth quarter, no overtime.
The Board will be filled out from the top to bottom and left to right based on the time and date of the receipt of your entry and payment. The numbers will be drawn from the hat after a board is complete, so there will be no particular order. All entries must be received by 31 January 2023.
Once the Board is filled and numbers assigned, the Board will be emailed prior to game start and posted to RFTW Facebook.
Those receiving gift cards will be contacted the day after the game to ensure we have the correct contact information for mailing the gift card to you.
Thank you all for your continued generosity in this fundraising effort and GOOD LUCK. We appreciate and need your support for the Midway Route. If you want to help but do not want to participate in these drawings then please send a check to Run for the Wall-Midway Route to Gina Cutrer at her address listed above. Please do note “Midway Route” on your check.
Please register for the RFTW if you have not done so (CLICK HERE TO REGISTER). Registration information helps the Midway Route in planning all the details necessary for a successful ride. If you register early, you save money. Registration is set up on a graduated system where the later you register, the more it costs. A good incentive plan for registering early.
NOTICE: Previous year’s route itineraries are provided as archival reference/examples only. Specific details including exact route, stops, hotels, etc are dynamic and change from year to year. Current year route itineraries are typically released in March. Only the current year Route Itinerary should be used to plan your trip.
REGISTRATION LOGIN: Due to security and privacy concerns there is NO ACCOUNT created when you register for Run for the Wall. Account logins are for merchandise purchase ONLY. Registration is a completely separate system and we do not offer any level of user access to this system. If you have a question regarding your registration or you need to make a change, please email [email protected].
NOTICE: Previous year’s route itineraries are provided as archival reference/examples only. Specific details including exact route, stops, hotels, etc are dynamic and change from year to year. Current year route itineraries are typically released in March. Only the current year Route Itinerary should be used to plan your trip.
NOTICE: Previous year’s route itineraries are provided as archival reference/examples only. Specific details including exact route, stops, hotels, etc are dynamic and change from year to year. Current year route itineraries are typically released in March. Only the current year Route Itinerary should be used to plan your trip.
NOTICE: Previous year’s route itineraries are provided as archival reference/examples only. Specific details including exact route, stops, hotels, etc are dynamic and change from year to year. Current year route itineraries are typically released in March. Only the current year Route Itinerary should be used to plan your trip.
