Category: Midway Route Coordinator News

Fellow Midway Participants;

I know you have heard this repeated over the last several days, But a very Happy New Year! We are at the four month mark before our departure. The time and year has truly flown by with a lot of work still to do. Thank you to all those who have stepped up to support leadership. Our State Coordinators are doing a terrific job in planning our arrival and the days events. We are very grateful to these individuals and what they have done and will do to make our mission a success.

I know many of you took the opportunity to make hotel reservations once the list came out on January 1st and found how fast the host hotel’s filled up. Please don’t be discouraged as other hotels are available in the areas. You can even book hotels that are even far less than what we have offered. We try an accommodate the best we can.

When you visit the RFTW.us website look for runs or meetings that support the missions. They are informative, you can meet individuals and can gain a perspective of what to expect and how to manage the ride. I recently attended a gathering where FNG’s announced their return and new riders were signing up. Great opportunity to meet and greet.

One last thing, have you looked at your motorcycle insurance coverage? Most riders and drivers only insure the minimum coverage. Majority of insurance companies do not cover medical. One thing I did was to update both my auto and motorcycle coverage to included “under insured” motorist. Do not confuse this with “uninsured” coverage as they are significantly different. Check with your insurance policy and or check with your agent on this addendum. I can tell you from experience it is very beneficial.

Thank you to all leadership and support personnel for the continued success of the Midway Route.

Gratefully,

Glenn “Wombat” Waggoner, Jr.
2019 Midway Route Coordinator

To Fellow Riders and Participants;

We near one of the largest holiday’s of the season, Thanksgiving. First proclaimed a national holiday in 1789, but celebrated for over 350 years as a day to give thanks for our blessings. With Thanksgiving Day upon us, let us reminisce to both joys and sorrow of those who have come and gone in order that we can celebrate this national holiday.

Be grateful and content in everything you do…God Bless.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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

Fellow Midway Riders;

Leadership has been working very hard to get things in order. The new route cards were developed with more accuracy, stop and departure times. The State Coordinators are currently reviewing these changes and making adjustments to the timeline. Some of the states we visit will have different venues, but most are the same.

All hotels are in order and the hotel list will be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors. It should go online by early January 2019.

A reminder that the RFTW logo is a copyright and use of the logo must be approved by the Board of Directors. Submit your use ideas to the the Board of Directors, or, Route Coordinator for approval.

2019 RFTW pins will be ready soon and available on-line at the web-store.

The website has posted “10 days in May” that is added to the New Participant (FNG page). This gives a day-to-day diary of an FNG’s experience while being on the run. It should serve as a way to invite and share the experience of being on the RFTW for new riders.

Some safety issues are being looked at for the run. The use of fire extinguishers for advance teams. Oversized trailers being towed by motorcycles. This can cause a visibility and safety issues for other riders. There will be more on these two subjects as progress is made and policy is established.

All leadership for the Midway Route is working diligently to ensure our mission is a memorable experience.

Thank you for allowing me to be of service.

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

Here we are on the backside of February 2018, and we are 85 days out and counting.

The February Face-to-Face board meeting went well as the BoD and the RCs continue the planning of the 30th Annual RFTW. The State Coordinators and other Leadership continue their hard work as well.
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK!!

If you have not done so, PLEASE PRE-REGISTER, It helps us to get an accurate headcount in advance to prepare for our Run.  State Coordinators are working to set up food stops, fuel, hydration etc.
Pre-Registration Helps us in our Planning..

The weather will be changing soon as spring approaches, now is the time to get your bike, yourself, and  your equipment ready. May will be here before you know it.

Remember! This is a TEN day Mission and not a joy ride.  Practice your riding skills: side-by-side, staggered, throttle control, slow moving maneuvers, U-turns, and quick stops. The more you do this the better and safer you become.  We highly recommend Ride-Like-A-Pro, and MSF courses!!

GOD HONOR COUNTRY
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
ONE MISSION | THREE ROUTES

Mike “Bandit” Huber

Hello RFTW Family!
I would like to introduce myself.

My Name is Mike “Bandit” Huber, it is a great honor to be selected by the RFTW Board of Directors as the Midway Route Coordinator for the 30th Annual Run For The Wall. Our BoD has also selected Glenn “Wombat” Waggoner as our Assistant Route Coordinator, and Ken “SixString”Dugas as our Road Guard Captain.

I served in the US Army in Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, and the 1st Aviation Brigade, 129th Assault Helicopter Company.

My first year on RFTW was 2003, on the Southern Route, and I rode in the pack 2003, 2004, and 2005. In 2006, I was asked to join the Fuel Crew, and in 2007 I was asked to become a Road Guard. There I found my niche. From 2007 to 2015 I was a Southern Route Road Guard, and in 2016 my wife “Sassy” and I decided to do the Midway Route. It was there Sassy and I rode as Ambassadors.

In 2016 I was asked by Mark “Diesel” Breland to be his Assistant Route Coordinator for 2017. It was a Great Honor to accept the position.

I would like to say that we are a Family… ONE MISSION THREE ROUTES. Whichever route you choose to take you will not be sorry. You will be a part of the RUN FOR THE WALL FAMILY… You will experience The Heart Of America like never before. The RFTW has been a life saver for myself, and I know many others… As my friend and Brother from another mother, one of the Founders of RFTW, Vietnam Vet and retired Marine Gunnery Sgt. James Gregory puts it, “You may have done Sturgis or Daytona. But if you have not done RFTW with a bunch of Vets at 65 miles per hour, you ain’t done…NOTHING!”

The Midway Route Hotel List is posted at the Midway Route Hub.  If you find that one of the “Official” hotels on the list is booked. Please be proactive and book a nearby hotel, at the best rate you can find. It is NOT REQUIRED that you stay in a “Host” hotel, or one on the provided list. The only requirement, is that you be at the morning meeting before we leave a stop.

Also, it is NOT REQUIRED that you go ALL THE WAY and or do the entire Run from California to Washington, DC on any route. Join us at any overnight stop, and check-in point, and then ride with us for as many days or miles as you’d like.

In closing be sure and go to the Central Route Hub and see Central Route Coordinator Harlan “Whitebirch” Olson’s Video. What a Great Job of explaining how RFTW works.

Sassy and I look forward to seeing you in May… Is it May yet!

Michael “Bandit” Huber
2018 Midway Route Coordinator

Here it is December, and Christmas is around the corner.  Let’s all be sure to remember our Military and their families.  There will be so many of our Brothers & Sisters that will not be able to be Home for Christmas.

2018 will be here before we know it, and so will May!

I would like to report that the 30th Run For The Wall is continuing to shape-up. Our State Coordinators, Leadership, and BoD are working hard to make our 30th RFTW great.

I hope to have the Midway welcome video up on the RFTW site in the next few days.

It will be May sooner than we think, so please start getting your bike and yourself ready… While not technically a requirement for you to participate and ride with RFTW, you would do yourself a favor by seeking out an MSF2, Advanced riders course, or Ride-Like-A-Pro Course, etc. I would strongly recommend you take it… This is not a joy ride, it is a 10-day MISSION across the Heartland of America, If this is your first time, you will be glad you did it.  Those of us with years of RFTW’s under our belt, continue to take these courses, including our Road Guards.

If you have not Pre-Registered, please do so. This helps the BoD, and the Route Coordinators have a count on people joining their route. It also makes Check-in easier for you, no matter where you join us, whether that be Ontario, CA or somewhere in the middle of the country.

Please also read Les Williams’ President’s Message.

THANKS TO ALL, AND HAVE A MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Michael “Bandit” Huber
2018 Midway Route Coordinator
GOD, COUNTRY, HONOR
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
ONE MISSION | THREE ROUTES