Category: Midway Route Photo Gallery

My Christmas (Poem) Rhyme

By Bob Nelson

T’was the night before Christmas and all through the lands

People were busy washing their hands

We all went about with masks on our faces

Finding businesses closed in so many places

We never imagined how bad it would get

As we chanted aloud “Is it May Yet?”

Cancelling the Run, no one could believe

Our bags were packed, we were ready to leave.

No Work, No School so we stayed close to home

In the garage with our bikes, just polishing chrome

Were allowed in public, but six feet apart

Not at a Church but ok at Wal-Mart

The vaccines are here, and the end is in sight

We will never surrender, we’re up for the fight

We’re Stronger Together We will get through this

But Santa, I ask you just one Christmas Wish

Take 2020 with you into the night as you go

And bury it deep into the cold Arctic snow

I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight Merry Christmas to ALL

Now Let’s Run For The Wall

Written December 24, 2020

Well It did not take long for 50 of you to respond. We have reached our cutoff. I want to give a Huge THANK YOU to all who read the RFTW Route Coordinators’ and President’s Newsletters.

The enthusiasm for RFTW XXXII 2021, on a scale of 1-10, seems to average in the High 20’s. I do not think that there will be any lack of excitement.

For those of you who emailed me, please check what you sent. I cannot mail you something if I do not have your mailing address. Just saying

Best Wishes

Season’s Greetings to ALL of our RFTW Family,

I think it is about time that we ALL try to look ahead to a brighter future.  The end of this terrible pandemic has begun.  For those of you on the front line, you have the undying gratitude of a Grateful Nation.  They have had to deal a lot with things that were not in the job description.  No one will get through this without a scratch.  So. it is important that we stick together and help each other as best we can.  Also take care of our own personal health.

It is December and the Holiday Season is here.  I have tried to maintain a PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) throughout the year, It has not been easy.   I learned early in life that no matter how much you worry about a problem, that never made it better.  So, with that said, if you celebrated Hanukkah which ended Friday evening, I hope that you were able to spend it with Family.  Merry Christmas to those who will gather to observe Christmas Day this coming Friday.  Saturday starts the week-long celebration of Kwanzaa.  Whatever you do, Be Safe and Stay Healthy.    

This year I am especially looking forward to New Year’s Day.  2020 will be in the history books and we can start fresh with a brand-new year. I think we should call it 2021, The Year of Hope.

Since you have read all of the newsletter to this point, do not forget to read the fine print below the signature block.

Diane and I wish you all Love, Health and Happiness during the holidays and throughout the New Year.

_{To reward the loyal newsletter readers please email me your name and mailing address and answer this one question.  On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you about RFTW XXXII 2021? To the first 50 that respond, I will send you something unique and special.}

Seasons Greetings from the Battle Born State,

You will be pleased to know that your Southern Route leadership team is hard at work making every possible preparation for RFTW 2021.  With swift vaccine approval and rollout now underway, in a few months maybe we can look at the pandemic as a terrible memory. I make no joke about it; the events of 2020 have been tough on all of us and a tragedy to many. 

State and local restriction are as varied as there are jurisdictions.  Current restraints have no definite end, and our planning is based on projection of better circumstances that we all anticipate by May.  RFTW Southern Route 2021 could be much different than years past.  How different, only time will tell.  Hey, who’s not ready for a little adventure!?

We plan to have the 2021 Hotel list out around the end of the month.   Many of the hotel systems and workers may be overwhelmed by the volume of calls, so I am asking you to be patient and tolerant.  Semper Gumby!

As I think of all of the RFTW riders I have met, some of you I have gotten to know well, others I only recognize by your Road Name.  One thing I have learned is that so many of you have “hidden” talents, hobbies, work experience, knowledge, and skills.   Your willingness to share could be a great resource to the Mission.  For example, the Board of Directors in soliciting for a volunteer to fill an upcoming board vacancy.  Our Director of Risk Management, Diann “Mojo” McKee’s term is up in 2021.   The link below will take you to the announcement.  Check it out, it might be what you have been looking for.

https://rftw.us/forums/topic/seeking-applicants-for-director-of-risk-management-registration-2021/

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy.   And Stay Tuned for December 2020 Part 2, there just may be a surprise in it for you.

Hi Everyone,

I hope everyone read the RFTW President’s Newsletter, it is very inspiring.  If you have not yet, just do not forget. 

I am not sure how everyone else feels, but as for me I am beyond ready to say good riddance to 2020 (and its friend the pandemic) and Welcome to Run For The Wall 2021. 

Any day now the FDA should approve and release at least the first of two 95+% effective vaccines.  I urge ALL of you to consult with your Primary Care Provider about getting it.  You owe it to yourself, your Family, your Friends and your RFTW Brothers and Sisters to consider being vaccinated.  The sooner the “numbers” come down the sooner we can ALL get back on track. 

The Run For The Wall Board of Directors, Route Coordinators and State Coordinators are steadfastly committed to our 2021 Mission.   I know that I have said this before, but it bears repeating.   I am asking everyone to “Be Patient”, situations change almost daily.  Please do all that you can do to help the cause.   Together we WILL get through this.

Diane and I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Greetings from a cold & snowy Winter day in the Nevada High Desert,

As you can see from the picture below Winter is here.  It’s hard to believe that Tuesday it was sunny and 70 degrees and today we probably won’t see 30.  Seems amazing how things can change in just a few days.

Enough about that, it is Run For The Wall planning season.   We here on Southern Route are busy preparing for the 2021 Run.  We hope to keep changes to a minimum, but I know that the Southern Route Riders are an adaptable bunch.  As of right now, our basic route will not change, and our overnight stops will be the same as planned for 2020.   Our wonderful State Coordinators are working on hotels and organizing our vast support network, to make 2021 a success.  If you see or hear anything that may affect the Southern Route, please share it with the appropriate State Coordinator, Kris Wood or myself.   Their contact information can be found on the RFTW website, Southern Route Hub, SR Contacts  https://rftw.us/southern-route-contacts/ .

I have gotten some emails from riders wanting to volunteer their service to the 2021 Run.  I applaud the spirit.  There are very few openings, but most Team Leaders are adding riders to their Standby List. Feel free to contact them directly, we will not open the Online Volunteer Signup.  You can check the link above to see current openings and Team Lead contact information.  Note: You cannot volunteer to be an Ambassador.

Wednesday November 11^th is Veterans Day.  Take the time to give that old Veteran buddy of yours a call just to see how they are doing.  Never Forget who gave us our Freedom.

Applications are now being accepted

We are planning to change the way we assign riders to our Memorial Outreaches.  In past years we have assigned platoon(s) to each memorial.  We may still send a platoon to some but would rather send volunteers on a signup basis.  Riders will be able to sign up as soon as the outreach schedule is published

With that in mind we are looking for an Outreach Coordinator for Memorials and an Assistant.  The ideal candidates would have to meet some basic requirements and possess a “certain set of skills”. 

The Requirements are:

• Ride a 2 or 3-wheel motorcycle without a trailer, equipped with a working mounted CB radio  
• Have ridden All The Way on Southern Route at least 2 times
• Have Platoon Leadership or equivalent experience.  The Coordinator will be the lead of the outreach group

Skills needed:

• Leadership, have knowledge of the outreach routes, work with the assigned Road Guards, be on time.
• Organizational, you must keep track of the volunteers for each outreach and make sure they are aware of when and where they need to be.
• Communication, know the significance of the memorial, brief the riders and be available to brief the entire Route at the morning Riders’ Meeting.

If you feel up to the challenge, please send me a bio ( bob.nelson@rftw.us ) showcasing your Skills, RFTW history and other pertinent information you would like to have considered.

Greetings All,

Well we made it to October, in a couple of months we can say a fond farewell to 2020.  I don’t know of anyone who will be sad to see it go.  Our State Coordinators are working hard to recoup from the adverse effects we suffered through this year Currently some of our folks are dealing with yet a second major hurricane in 6 weeks.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all that are in its path.

Kerrville TX Riders Reunion, sorry if you missed it. Great weather, Great Rides, Record attendance, Dinner, Raffle and Auction were “off the hook”.  A Million Thanks to Cowboy, Sam, and her Minions for putting this together.  I would be remiss if I didn’t Thank Gunny for doing such an awesome job as auctioneer. We are already looking forward to the 2021 Reunions.  F-Stop took over 1000 pictures and several more have posted pics on Facebook.  Please check them out.

Looking forward, Southern Route 2021 is taking shape.  We have plenty of questions but only few answers at this point.  I am asking everyone to be patient.  Results may take longer to develop than usual. Please follow the Route Coordinators Newsletters and check the www.rftw.us website for the latest information.

Together, WE WILL Get Through This. #RFTW Strong

Hello RFTW Family,

Reminder 1. We are only a little more than a week away from the Kerrville, TX; ALL Riders Reunion, September 25-27, 2020. There is still time to make plan. Looks like Cowboy and Sam have put together a couple of great day rides. There will ne a riders meeting Saturday afternoon, with a Q&A session.

Reminder 2. Now more than ever many of us are shopping a lot from home. If you shop from Amazon, remember to sign up and log in through Amazon SMILE and select Run For the Wall as your designated charity. Amazon donated a percentage of your eligible purchase to RFTW. It costs you Zero, Zip, Nada.

Reminder 3. Stay Positive. No doubt these are trying times for ALL of us. We will get through 2020 together and look forward to RFTW XXXII in 2021. We will never surrender……….

Greetings ALL from a HOT and Smoky Northern Nevada,

For those who have not heard, Barnett’s Harley-Davidson dealership in Las Cruces, NM will close its doors effective at the end of this month.  We always get such a warm welcome from them and the Las Cruces community.   I have heard countless stories of how they kept many of our Southern Route (SR) riders on the road.  Rest assured that your SR Leadership is working hard to find an alternate venue. 

Between the pandemic and government restrictions causing economic hardships, tough business decisions have to be made.  Large and small businesses are forced to scale down just to remain viable.  We may face even more challenges as we prepare for RFTW XXXII. 

I have urged all of our State Coordinators to keep vigilant for business closures or local restrictions which may impact the Southern Route. 

Without our dedicated State Coordinators (SC), we would not get one mile down the road.   Every Fuel Stop, Donated Meal, Hotel List contract, collaboration with State and Local agencies are all organized by them.  Most of their work starts well in advance of the Run, and sometimes making final adjustments until we arrive.  Our SCs mostly stay behind the scenes so you may not even know their names.  Some have been with SR since its beginning.   Our SCs wear brown hats, maybe they should be gold.  When you see them, please Thank them.  I have listed their names and contact information below, it is also located on our contacts page.  As you can see some have assistants, if you feel compelled to step up for one of the assistant positions near where you live on the SR., please send me your information for consideration.  bob.nelson@rftw.us

• I hope to see as many of you, as can make it, in Kerrville for the
• TX RIDERS REUNION FOR PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE RIDERS
• September 24-27, 2020

Keep Safe and Stay Healthy.