Category: Midway Route Coordinator News

Greetings Midway family!
As I write this November newsletter, I am reflecting on the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday and how truly blessed I am. I am so grateful for all of God’s blessings including the privilege I have of being a part of this Run for the Wall family. I am also very thankful to live in the USA and I thank all of you veterans and current military for all you have done to protect our great country and our freedom. I wish you all a Happy Veterans Day! Thank you for your service.
2020 plans for Midway are progressing well. Details are being worked on and our route should be finalized soon. All our night stops are confirmed including our new stop in Smithville, NC. Our leadership teams are looking good and I thank all of you for volunteering to serve our RFTW mission. Minor adjustments are being made to allow a little more quality time at the Stafford Air & Space Museum and the Marine Corps Museum.
I would like to thank all of you who support our fundraising activities. I am doing my best to get our fuel prepaid for the Midway route. I am pleased to announce that we raised $2,900 towards our fuel from our Seymour Johnson Air Force Base patch! That stop was a very special first for RFTW. If you would like one, please order now as they will no longer be made or sold after November 30, 2019.
2019 Midway left a permanent mark on the Stafford Air & Space museum. Last year we raised money to have a RFTW brick paver installed at the museum. The brick paver will be installed before we arrive there again in 2020 for us all to see. Glenn “Wombat” and I would like to thank the 2019 Midway riders for their support and contributions that allowed us to leave this permanent RFTW mark at the museum.
In recognition and remembrance of this occasion, we have made a patch for everyone on the 2019 Midway route to be able to purchase as another fundraiser for our fuel. I am hoping that we can, at least, duplicate the success we had for the Air Force base patch. I have attached a picture of the patch for you to see. This patch will identify you as a rider of the RFTW route that left its permanent mark at the Air & Space museum. We will do the same thing as the AFB patch. It will cost $25.00 per patch. $5 pays for the patch and $20 goes towards our fuel cost. With your support, we could pay for possibly more than 3 fuel stops from the sale of these patches! Keep in mind, your support of the patch and most of the cost comes back to you as prepaid fuel. Please consider purchasing this patch as everyone will benefit from the fuel stops. If you have not purchased the Seymour Johnson AFB patch, feel free to order both!
If interested, mail payment ($25 per patch) made out to RFTW to:
Ken Dugas
9849 Loblolly Pines Lane
Denham Springs, LA 70726
You may also send the money electronically transferred through Zelle. (the account is linked to my number (225-405-2735) If you send money through Zelle, email your mailing address to me at ken.dugas@rftw.us

If you are a volunteer, please make sure that you are checking the leadership list on the Midway Hub on RFTW.US. We are placing orders for caps and supplies. Make sure your name is on the list. If not, please get with your team leader about having you added.
We have a fantastic team on Midway and together, we will make Midway 2020 a special year. The Midway family is all about teamwork. It is why Midway is so special. We are better together!

I have I told you lately…………….. I love my RFTW Midway Family! 😊

Honor, Hope & Healing

Ken “Six String” Dugas
RFTW 2020 Route Coordinator, Midway / ARC , Sandbox
Midway Road Guard Captain, 2016, 2017, 2018 / ARC, Midway 2019, ARC Sandbox Recon
Southern Road Guard, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Southern Route 2010, 2011
Cell: (225) 405-2735
Email: ken.dugas@rftw.us

Four Routes, One Mission!

Proud Father of a U.S. Marine and U.S. Sailor!
“In God we Trust!”

Hello Midway Family!

As always, I pray that all is well with you and your families.  I would like to give you my latest updates for our 2020 Midway route.

Our leadership team is now listed on the Midway hub .  Please review the list and let me know if there are any additions or changes that need to be made.  I am pleased that our leadership teams are almost complete. However, we would like to have a few more people for our fuel team and our road guard team.

My RC video is now posted on the Midway hub.  As many of you know, I had issues accepting the RC position because I am not a veteran.  I always felt that a veteran should be the one addressing the communities we visit.  With that said, I will do my best to represent you veterans well.  I hope you are pleased with the video and my representation of all of you and our Midway route.

We do have a few changes to the route.  Our Fayetteville night will be moved to Smithville, NC.  This will eliminate the backtracking we had to do from Fayetteville.  This change is confirmed and finalized.  Another change will be a move from Ashland, VA to Hopewell.  This change will eliminate the long ride to the hotel from Hopewell to Ashland.  There are a few details being worked on to finalize this change.

I am pleased to announce that we will be adding a visit to two VA hospitals in Tennessee as well as a wreath laying ceremony and visit to the museum in Lebanon, TN.  These additions will be visited by break out platoons. Lebanon will also be donating a fuel stop for us.

I want to thank all of you who have supported our Seymour Johnson AFB “Riding the Runway” patch fundraiser.  So far, we have raised over $2,900.00 towards our fuel stops from this patch!

The RFTW brick paver we purchased for the Stafford Air & Space Museum is completed.  It should be installed soon.

I asked the BOD for approval to add the KIA/WIA logo to the website to be included with the POW/MIA logo.  I am grateful for their approval and it has been added to the website.  Now that we have the Sandbox route, I thought this was another good step to help join the older and newer generation warriors together.

The route is getting close to finalization.  I thank our State Coordinators and all of you for your support and efforts.

Have I told you lately…………………  I Love my Midway Family!

Sincerely,

Ken Dugas
2020 Midway Route Coordinator

The Midway leadership list has been posted on the RFTW.US website.  Please review your information to make sure everything is correct.  Let me know if you find any changes that need to be made.  Please let me know if you have any additions or deletions so that I can keep this list updated and accurate.

Our teams are filling up well and must be complete by November 15^th.  Our biggest need is the fuel team.  If you know of anyone who meets the qualifications and would be interested, please have them contact Jerry Wilkins, Advance Team Leader.  His contact info is on the website.

Our State Coordinators continue to work hard getting things set up for their states.  Our Team Leaders are finalizing their teams and our Road Guard Captain is working the route.

As a team, we will accomplish many good things for 2020.

I want to thank all of you who have supported our Seymour Johnson AFB “Riding the Runway” patch fundraiser.  So far, we have raised over $2,600.00 towards our fuel stops from this patch!

I sent a thank you letter to Col. Yates along with a couple of the patches.  I am hopeful that we will be able to have the runway experience again in 2020.

I have also received other individual donations for fuel, and I want to express my appreciation and gratitude to all of you them!

We have a few more things planned that we are working on.  With that said, don’t forget that any fuel donations are a generous gift and should not be expected.  It is every rider’s responsibility to be prepared to pay for all their fuel.  It is very efficient for the route and a nice perk for the riders when we can avoid cash exchanges at the fuel stations.  Everyone’s support of our fuel fundraisers is greatly appreciated.

I will be attending the reunion in Kerrville, Tx on September 20^th and 21^st.  It is hosted by the Southern route and I look forward to seeing all of them.  Hope to see some of you there.

I would have to call our first reunion, hosted by Midway, a big success!   I am very pleased to say that we had representation for all routes with us!  That’s what it is all about.  It is about us being a Run for the Wall family.  We had a great time in the Nashville area, and I want to thank Ron “Sky” for all the work he did to put the reunion together.  Also, a big thank you and job well done to Don “Ten-A-See” for leading our rides.  Thank all of you who came to the reunion.  Those who did not make it were missed.

The Mayor was there, and we presented him a certificate of appreciation.  He gave us a proclamation declaring the weekend, “Run for the Wal Weekend”.  A representative from the Police department was there as well and we presented the department an appreciation plaque.

The feedback from the reunion was very positive and the votes were in favor of having it again next year! My favorite part was, of course, the Jack Daniel’s tour!

Something new for Ontario for 2020.  We will have a hydration truck available with water at the hotel.  We are encouraging everyone to make sure they start hydrating early.  There will be no excuse for anyone to start the run not well hydrated.  This is a big safety concern.  I will encourage everyone to take advantage of this and drink plenty of water to be well hydrated for the start of our journey.

Have I told you lately that I love you?  If not………………………………

Love my Midway family!  😊

Thank you all for volunteering to help and support this great mission.

Ken “Six String” Dugas
RFTW Route Coordinator, Midway 2020

It’s May!

The long awaited departure date is in sight, May 15, 2019, three routes one mission!

I wish to extend a special thank you and recognition to the following State Coordinators, who unselfishly and tirelessly planned their state events to ensure a welcoming and memorable experience:

Carol Olmstead, California State Coordinator
Roy Meek, Arizona State Coordinator
Tina Reeves, New Mexico State Coordinator
Daniel Stewart, Texas State Coordinator
Dennis Freie, Oklahoma State Coordinator
Ron King, Tennessee State Coordinator
Christina Roulston, Arkansas State Coordinator
Richard House, North Carolina State Coordinator
Shelia Tyus, Virginia State Coordinator
John Staub, Washington DC Coordinator

There are many individuals who assisted the State Coordinators and are too many to list. Our sincere thanks and gratefulness is extended to everyone behind the scenes who have made this mission a success. A tremendous amount of work went into each state, each event, and each day. Please extend your gratitude to these individuals when you cross paths. We could not do anything without their hard work, diligence, planning, time and insight.

We have some great leadership along the route. Please adhere to the guidance and instructions of Leadership, particularly Road Guards and Platoon Leaders.

See you in Ontario, CA!

Gratefully,

Glenn “Wombat” Waggoner Jr.
2019 Midway Route Coordinator
“Our Duty to Remember”

Fellow Participants,

We are a month and a half away from departure. I for one am in great anticipation for this year’s mission. We have great leadership assisting in various roles, State Coordinators and Assistance preparing for our arrival.

I received some good news about Hopewell VA, they do not want us to change our plans. How grateful can you be for a wonderful town and group of people despite their tragic losses. We should reflect on our blessings and to be blessed to bless others. This makes the mission all the more important.

The Ontario Itinerary is posted and yes it is correct. Only one-half hour for FNG meeting, but more will be covered in the “Mandatory” Safety Meeting that follows the FNG Meeting. I would like leadership to think of this half-hour as a meet-n-greet time. A time to shake hands and welcome the participants.

Last year’s Midway Route Coordinator, Mike “Bandit” Huber and his bride, Melanie “Sassie” Huber have donated and will be auctioning two steers for RFTW Midway fundraising.

The auction will be on Monday, May 13th at 5 p.m. at the Gateway Hotel in Ontario for two whole steers. Mike “Bandit” Huber will be the auctioneer.

Proceeds will go to Falcon, N. C., Children’s Home and Milan, New Mexico, Elementary School hosts to RFTW Midway Route. The steers will be auctioned separately and the money raised will go to the school designated for each steer. Cost of processing/shipping is above winning bid and is the responsibility of winning bidder(s). There’s even an option of leaving the steers on the ranch to live out a PC, non-life threatening existence and just donating the money.

Riders and support are all encouraged to form up some creatively-named teams and join in the bidding fun while raising money for our future leaders!

The parade for the Marine Corp Barracks parade is posted to the RFTW website.Check the website for details.

See you all very soon, in the meantime be safe and God Bless!

Glenn “Wombat” Waggoner Jr.,
2019 Midway Route Coordinator
“Our Duty to Remember”

[gview file=https://rftw.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MR-Steer-Fundraiser.pdf]

Dear Participants,

We are about 75 days away from departure and time flies faster as that day approaches.

We have made significant progress toward departure; Midway Route is secure, State Coordinators have worked hard to make this a memorable mission and final draft of our itinerary is being reviewed and will be published to the website there soon after wards.

Most have heard of the recent news about the Moose Lodge in Hopewell, VA. It was destroyed in an early morning fire in late February. This is not just a lodge, but a community center servicing Hopewell. It has a great history of over 65 years in the community. A tremendous amount of history, artifacts and memorabilia was destroyed. The lodge has been a welcomed support to Midway RFTW since inception in 2013. We have some fond memories there with the Tussing Elementary School signing patriot songs, local fire and police support with their vehicles and welcoming bagpipes, and who can forget the Dancing Grandma’s! The staff are an incredible group of people and this has likely been a shock to them all. We will not alter our plans to Hopewell at this time, but may have to look to another venue based upon State Coordinator recommendations. Regardless, we will love and pray upon them and take up a collection of some sort when that time comes. They plan on rebuilding the lodge.

I am very excited about this year’s mission. With a incredible and fine group of people supporting the Midway, how could anyone ask for anything else? I am very proud of the people who have stepped up to serve the RFTW and MIdway Route.

Thank you for allowing me to be of service.

Glenn “Wombat” Waggoner Jr.,
2019 Midway Route Coordinator
“Our Duty to Remember”

Fellow Participants;

We are near the 90 day mark before our departure for the XXXI Run for the Wall. I hope everyone participating feels the same excitement and anticipation like I do.

There has been many inquiries of those who drive “Sling Shots.” It is the decision of the Board of Directors that they will not be permitted to drive with the platoons. All “Sling Shots” regardless of opinion will be placed behind the Rear Road Guards and Last Man Vehicle. “Sling Shots” registered for the run will be afforded the respect given to other participants, except the Order of March.

The California State Coordinator, Carol Olmstead, has made a request of participants, to submit their photos of loved one’s who have served in the military. Accompanying the photo should include name, rank, year’s of service and a brief biography. These photos will be placed in the RFTW 2019 Biography Book by Carol. Forward your photos to: carol.olmstead@rftw.us

All of the State Coordinators continue to work hard and diligent for you to ensure a memorable journey. They are some outstanding individuals with a true heart for this mission.

A reminder to all FNG’s if you do not have the required documentation at the time of registration, i.e., valid driver’s license, current vehicle registration, motorcycle endorsement and current vehicle insurance you cannot participate on the run. Please ensure you have all of your documentation on hand when you arrive at the registration site. If you register on-line this information must be presented to the Registration Team at the time you join the ride. Save $20.00 by registering in advance. Onsite registration is $50.00.

I have heard and learned over the years that sitting on a motorcycle for many days and miles can cause the “old buttocks” to become sore or uncomfortable. Other than a seat cushion, wearing “wicker” type under garments will ease those “hot spots” and be more comfortable.

The day’s are numbered and the anticipation grows, please ensure your motorcycle is mechanically sound. Don’t take this for granted. Also, look into “under insured” motorcycle insurance added to your existing coverage.

Thank you for allowing me to be of service.

Glenn “Wombat” Waggoner Jr.,
2019 Midway Route Coordinator
“Our Duty to Remember”