Category: Midway Route SitReps

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June 2025 Central Route Newsletter

*(This newsletter is best read and designed to be read at this link.)
RFTW and Central Route, Happy Belated Father’s Day, and Welcome Home.  RFTW and Central Route, Happy Belated Father’s Day, and Welcome Home. As I look at the calendar, I can’t believe that it is already 3-weeks since I got home from the 2025  35th Annual Run for the Wall.  As I look at the calendar, I can’t believe that it is already 3-weeks since I got home from the 2025  35th Annual Run for the Wall.

(OK… Who has the “Audio Relay” setting turned ON on their GMRS radio!?! Whoever is NOT hearing or reading double, it’s YOU!) 😂😂 (OK… Who has the “Audio Relay” setting turned ON on their radio!?! Whoever is NOT hearing or reading double, it’s YOU!) 😂😂

As I reflect back over the this years’ Run, I am flooded with emotions, everything from joy and sadness (at times), and everything in-between. It was wonderful to see old and new faces, and a chance for me to get know many of you better. This Run did not happen by accident.  It happens because of the countless volunteers, state coordinators, team & crew leads, and their respective teams.  So, State Coordinators, Road Guards, Missing Man Coordinator, Staging Crew, Fuel Crew, Ambassadors, Outreach, Chaplains, Orange Hats, Medical, Last Man & Chase, Hydration, Registration, All Leadership Support (FNG Liaison, Platoon Coordinator, Raffle Rousers, Photographer, Quartermaster), and the volunteers that feed and welcome us into your local communities…. THANK YOU!

I especially would like to single out four personal Thank You’s.  Nick Hentges, the 2025 Mentor, and the 2024 RC, thank you for continuing to pester me until I said “yes”.  Kim Greeley & Jenny Ward, you morphed into my Chief(s) of Staff on about Day 1.  Thank you, thank you. And finally, my Assistant Route Coordinator, Jim McDonough, you were always, always there stepping up. I could not have done this without you.  Thank you for helping make 2025 one of the best Run’s we have had.

My goal this year was to make the Run memorable, meaningful, and yes, even fun, as we honored and rode for those that came before us, died and fought for our way of life and our country. It is my hope that it was all of that for you and more — especially for our FNGs.

I’d like to remind all of you that it does really help if you fill-out an After Action Report. There is also a link to it on the Central Route Hub. They have already started to roll-in, and I promise you that Jim and I do read them. Tell us what and who was great, and what and who was not.   I have already taken notes from several of them for my final report-out to the BoD.

For many people on the Run, myself included, there is probably a “moment” every RFTW that becomes a personal  memorable moment, you know, the kind that hits you that you will never forget.  My moment from this years’ Run was Day 3, May 16, 2025.  I had pre-arranged with Tom “Bones” Pogue to secretly slot my father, Harlan Olson a Vietnam Veteran, into the Missing Man Formation on the final leg into the Angel Fire Memorial, and he was not to find out until we were to depart from lunch.  The problem we encountered was that my dad’s bike was acting up, so he left our first stop in Albuquerque to go straight to an H-D Dealer to see if they could diagnose and fix his mis-firing bike.  I sent him a text message informing him that he had enough time to meet us at lunch.  I needed this to happen because he still did not know he was slotted for the Missing Man. He ignored it because he was riding and did not know it was me. All he felt was a vibrating phone in his pants pocket. He only pulled over to take a picture of his bike’s odometer turning 100,000 miles. That is when and why he read my text, telling him to make it to the lunch stop.  He finally did.  When he arrived, I told him to go inside grab something to eat and drink because we were not to depart for a few more minutes. When he went inside, I quickly moved his motorcycle into the Missing Man Slot.  When he came back outside, that is when he discovered where his bike was, and where he was going to ride for the final leg of the Day into the Angel Fire Vietnam Memorial. On the ground chalked out were the names of two Vietnam Veterans.

When we got to the Angel Fire Vietnam Veterans Memorial, we all gathered near the Huey Helicopter there, and we laid two memorial bricks for those two KIAs, similarly like we do every Labor Day Weekend, when we lay several hundred at the RFTW Angel Fire Reunion.

Before the bricks were laid, I read this to our riders:
“It was the third inning, and the 2nd Air Division Cobras held a 6-1 lead over the Advisory Group Support Branch in their night game at Pershing Field, the U.S. military’s softball diamond outside Saigon. In the stands, 150 partisan American fans—soldiers, sailors, embassy civilians, wives and children—booed and cheered. Suddenly, two explosions under the stands sent shrapnel slicing through the planking, shearing the leg off a G.I., hurling jagged splinters like missiles into the crowd. Amid the wreckage, two soldiers lay dying, 23 other Americans dazed and injured.

Set off by two stolen, U.S.-made fragmentation bombs buried in the soil, the sabotage was the gravest anti-American terrorist episode in South Viet Nam’s war against the Communist Viet Cong —and an unsettling commentary on the Saigon military regime’s security apparatus, since the U.S. stadium is next door to Vietnamese Joint General Staff headquarters. The incident was also the latest in a fresh wave of terror ism directed at Americans.  What I just read was an article from TIME Magazine, February 21, 1964, titled, Bombs in the Ballpark.

SP4 Arthur Wayne Glover was a signal security specialist and PFC Donald R. Taylor a communications center specialist. Both were assigned to the 3rd Radio Research Unit (RRU) at Ton Son Nhut Air Base near Saigon, RVN. On February 9, 1964, Taylor and Glover were at a gathering along with a collection of 150 soldiers, sailors, embassy civilians, spouses, and children when two consecutive explosions hit the area. The bombs, two Claymore mines which detonated under the bleachers at Pershing Field during a softball game, sent a hail of shrapnel flying in all directions, injuring 23 individuals (another source quotes 41 injured) and mortally wounding both Taylor and Glover. It was later determined that the Viet Cong had planted a total of five mines under the bleachers. Military police found three that failed to detonate. Officials estimated that had they detonated, fifty persons would have died. The mines were on a circuit with a pocket watch with an hour hand, suggesting that they were set less than 12 hours earlier. It was later determined that Vietnamese were conspicuously absent from the game that night, and that a Vietnamese kid had told one of his American friends not to play under the bleachers.

What that TIME Magazine article did not say was that my father, Harlan Olson, served with these two men in the Army’s 3rd Radio Research Unit and he was sitting right next to them 30 minutes earlier, before these bombs went off. They begged my dad to stay and finish watching the game with them. However, he left the field to go back to his barracks because he needed and wanted to go a write a letter to my mother, who was a senior in high school at the time back in Decorah, Iowa. My dad would not be here today if he had not gone and wrote that letter to my mom. I would not be here today because this happened on February 9, 1964, and I was born in August of 1968. While I never knew them, these two soldiers are a part of our family, and that is why my family remembers Arthur Wayne Glover and Doanld Taylor.  I did not know until I was an adult, that dad had survivors’ guilt for decades. The Run for the Wall motorcycle ride has allowed him heal over these last 18-years.  We will never forget them.”

So, Riders, Continue to tell your stories.  Continue to tell their stories. Continue to say their names. Continue the Mission. When you do they are never forgotten.

It truly was my honor and privilege to lead you and our Missing Man Formation across this country.

Please also keep the Paul Woerth family in your prayers.

Is it May yet?

Kirk “Pretty Boy” Olson
kirk.olson@rftw.us
RFTW Central Route Coordinator – 2025
Asst. Route Coordinator – 2024
Road Guard Captain – 2023
Asst. Road Guard Captain – 2019
RFTW Board of Directors – 2016-2019
Road Guard 2010-2018
FNG 2009

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Midway Route Day 2, Flagstaff, AZ to Albuquerque, NM

A cool nip in the air started the second day of the Midway Run For The Wall in Flagstaff, AZ.

Riders and passengers, volunteers and staff, all bundled up in sweatshirts and jackets, beanies and gloves, with hot coffee and breakfast burritos to to help ward off the crisp mid thirty degree temperature.

Once on the road and heading down the mountain, the air began to warm as the scenery shifted from tall pines to high desert scrub trees, and soon into the sands and hills associated most with the Arizona landscapes.

All of the riders traveling along the route and in their platoons having grown stronger in their abilities to ride in a tight RFTW pack. Everyone, both new and experienced, have noticeably advanced their skills in riding with each other, developing a trust in themselves as well as others around them, pushing their skills to their limits, getting out of their comfort zone ever so slightly and advancing their capabilities.

A slight change of plans in the schedule unfortunately prevented the parading through Winslow, AZ, but allowed for more practice time on the road.

Holbrook, AZ was our first fuel stop where the winds also began to pick up to a noticeable speed, however this did not deter anyone from the ride ahead. Just before leaving, a solemn reading of ——-‘s bio was read aloud, reminding ourselves why we ride.

Once back on the road, everyone could watch the sandy hills of Arizona transform into the red and white sandstone plateaus of New Mexico.

As if the landscape and blue skies weren’t picturesque enough, as we traveled into New Mexico, we were met with Sheriff Department deputies and given a full police escort, or as we call it “LEO” for “Law Enforcement Officers” to our next destination fuel stop in Jamestown, New Mexico.

Even though the day had grown later and the sun continued to shine hotter in the clear skies, the increasing winds kept the temperatures tolerable.

Keeping everyone hydrated was still the number one concern with the hydration trailer and team in full force providing water and Gatorade to everyone.

Safety briefings were held to discuss the next stop and potential dangers associated with the riding ‘circle tour’ around the school’s front roundabout as well as what to expect at Milan Elementary School overall, the kids and staff, their reactions from years past could only slightly prepare us for what was in store for us.

With full LEO escort we arrived at the school and was guided into the roundabout in front of the building were all the kids and staff were lined up on the curbs, dressed in matching red Tshirts, waving American flags, and chanting “USA. USA. USA” while we rode around the circle in single file, revving and honking, then exiting where we came in until all of the bikes had gone through. Through all of the excitement, both theirs and ours, you couldn’t help but get choked up or even teary eyed a little with pride.

Everyone began to shed layers off as we parked with the temps finally rising to the higher 70’s as we began to funnel inside. With everyone filling their gymnasium, plaques and certificates were exchanged, thank you’s and kind words as well as more cheering and chanting by all.

Afterwards we were treated to a home cooked meal with great hospitality, giving everyone a chance to relax and unwind a bit before getting back on the road.

As we continued our trek into New Mexico, still under LEO escort, we took our last fuel stop in Rio Puerco at the Route 66 Travel Center where we met up with the Albuquerque Police Department and their motorcade of officers that provided only what could be explained as a full presidential escort through the city to our final destination. Every exit and I ramp were blocked and the lanes cleared of all traffic as they encapsulated us with their motorcycles and guided us to Thunderbird Harley Davidson. Once there we were again presenting our gratitude and appreciation to all of the volunteers and organizations that have helped to make our trip that much better with food, drinks, escorts, and every other assistance imaginable. A  special tribute with Amazing Grace played by a bagpiper filled the crowd with emotions as he marched and played the gracious melody.

The day’s adventures, lessons and experiences have brought us all closer together as a family and can only leave us wondering, what will tomorrow bring.

Written by STITCH. Photos by Kim Butler

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Midway Route Day 1, Ontario, CA to Flagstaff, AZ

The question in everyone’s conversations, emails, texts; “Is it May yet?”  YES IT IS!

In fact today IS Tuesday the 13th of May, 2025, Midways first day on their quest to Washington DC.

With the sounds of motorcycles firing up in the hotel parking lot at O’dark thirty, to the voices and chanting at the morning rally point. You could feel the excitement growing as the clock ticked away ever closer to the time when the engines fired up, rumbling and reving in anticipation of the words ‘let’s roll’ from the route coordinator to come over the radio.

Once given, it was almost as if a scene from nascar as was team, each platoon, each rider started rolling towards the open road.

With the help of the California Highway Patrol as well as the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, 2025 Midway Route took to the streets and interstate, making their way Eastbound.

255 registered riders, 81 of which are FNG (Fun New Guys/Gals), and 136 volunteers to help lead, guide, and bring everyone safely across this great nation. This year’s run is especially more significant as it is the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War (1962-1975) with some very special guest in attendance as well, our Vietnam Veteran Hero’s in our 1st Platoon.

The first day is always the trickiest, learning how to ride next to someone else that you may never have ridden with before and getting used to each other’s riding habits. In time each rider will grow, but today is basically introduction day on how we ride in RFTW.

Our first location on schedule was to parade through the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Barstow, CA where members of the community and military lines the street to wave and salute the Hero’s and riders of the Midway Route.

Shortly thereafter came our first fuel stop, a great training opportunity for our FNGs as well as a refresher for everyone else. If you ever get a chance to see ‘organized chaos’ in its finest, watch how the RFTW Fuel team pushes 200 plus riders through the fuel pumps in less than 15 minutes.

And remember that learning but about riding with others in a pack, everyone also got a taste of Mother Nature in the desert with 20-30 mph cross winds while passing traffic and big rigs on the freeway.

As we headed into Arizona and up to our next fuel stop, folks from Yucca, Kingman, Las Vegas, and so many other places lined an over pass with flags, fire trucks, and even fireworks as we rode underneath, welcoming us into their community.

Lunch was donated and served in Kingman by the Kingman Elks Lodge # at the Mother Road Harley Davidson.

Unexpectedly after lunch, an accident on I40 closed down a large section preventing us from heading directly to our next destination. Rather than sitting in bumper to bumper traffic only a little outside of Kingman, the local police department suggested a route around the scene by traveling down Historic Route 66, completely bypassing the area of traffic and getting us back on the road with little interruption.

The new route led us through canyons and valleys, open fields and local communities with absolutely gorgeous scenery all along the way.

Once back on our designated route and refueled from our last pit stop of the day, up the mountains we went towards Flagstaff reaching our destination on time, even after everything that was tossed at the Midway Riders.

The Flagstaff VFW Post #1709 along with the community and Boy Scout Troop # welcomed us in with a hot meal of sloppy joes, warm hugs, and open arms.

Can’t wait to see what ventures tomorrow will bring to our Hero’s and riders.

Written by STITCH. Photos by Kim Butler

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May 2025 Central Route Newsletter

*(This newsletter is best read at this link.)
Central Route! May is finally here!! I have already heard of reports that some riders are already making their way west.  Some people like to visit family along the way and take their time.

As I mentioned last month, if you are starting in CA, Central Route is going to do things a little bit different this year. It is my aim to cut down on some of the multiple and sometimes seemingly redundant meetings we have had in the past, specifically in Ontario.  We will have ONE Central Route ALL HANDS meeting, at the Holiday Inn (2155 E Convention Center Way, Ontario, CA 91764) in the large ballroom at 1PM on Tuesday, May 13. This meeting is for FNG’s, all riders, and folks in leadership – All Hands. It is hours earlier than in the past, to give people time to rest, relax, and prepare for the next day’s departure.  I always hated us going up against the dinner hour the night before we leave, and now I get to fix that and try something new. It is my aim that this is a positive change for the better. We are cutting a separate FNG meeting, separate “leadership meeting”, and then having an all hands on top of all of that.  Team leads will still have their meetings, but that is on them to schedule around our one Central Route ALL Hands.

The Central Route Itinerary is out and published. The Ontario schedule is also published. PDF of it is here.

Let’s talk about the Kansas Turnpike Toll Road:
Thanks to the hard work of Dan Webster of CVMA 21-4 and ABATE of KS District 4 our tolls in KS are going to be covered.  IMPORTANT: All riders and support vehicles on Central Route that register after April 30th MUST notify the Registration team when you check in so they can make note of your vehicle plate number and state. Also, if you are in or on a different vehicle than indicated on your online registration let them know, otherwise you will receive a toll bill from the Kansas Turnpike Authority.  Please register with the Registration Team on May 18th at the Eagles Lodge (supper location) as soon as possible if you plan to join RFTW at Junction City.    The cut off time for Last Minute Moe’s, anyone who registered after April 30th, is around 7:30 p.m. to get your license plate entered into the system to get your toll covered. If you register the morning of May 19th your toll will NOT be covered.

If you have a DriveKS or KTAG account, you need to deactivate the tag of the vehicle you will be using for RFTW before May 19, or you will get a toll charge along with Dan’s DriveKS account being charged. Make sure to not deactivate your tag before you travel west in case you use the Kansas Turnpike on your way to join RFTW.

It’s very easy to deactivate.  Log in to your DriveKS or KTag account.  Under the tab “Vehicles & KTAGs”, click on “View All Vehicles and KTAGs”, next click on “View and Edit All Vehicles”, find the vehicle you will be using and click on “Make Inactive”.  Then after May 19th, go in and make it active again.  This can also be done using the DriveKS app from your phone and it works exactly the same way.

This is the first year RFTW is going through the cashless tolling process in Kansas.  Many other states have been doing this for many years on toll roads.  So I’m hoping this goes as smoothly as possible for this year and future years.

One quick note about the GMRS Radios. BTECH recently released in January a large, new firmware update 0.8.0, and now 0.8.3 for the GMRS-PRO radio. This update added a VOX feature. If you did or do any of these updates, check and make sure to DISABLE or double-check that the VOX FEATURE is DISABLED!  This could potentially cause too many unnecessary ”open mic” transmissions. You should not use VOX on The Run.

To Disable:
From the front panel of the radio:
MENU > Radio Settings > UNCHECK Enable Vox

(make sure there is no checkmark under this feature and setting)

Additionally, on a side note, when connecting to a Sena headset, you sometimes might hear a never-ending loud beeping.  The fix for this is to roll the volume all the way down on the jog dial of the Sena, and then back up to where you want it.

Register for the 2025 Run now

Registration is now $75 until April 30th.  Then it goes to $90. Price is slightly lower under the Day Rider Program.  Go to the registration page now.  Everyone is highly encouraged to REGISTER for RFTW in 2025 now.  This helps us make an accurate plan for May.  If you are in Leadership you need to be getting registered now, if not already.  Your registration is your indication to us that you are committing to your volunteer position.  FNGs please also register as early as you can.  We know plans can change. This immensely helps our State Coordinators plan for meals, etc. Your registration fee basically covers, the privilege to ride with the Run in the pack, which in-turn gets you breakfast, lunch, and dinner at all of our stops across the country that is provided by our donors and supporters.  We could not do it without them.

Register for RFTW 2025

I look forward to seeing everyone in-person starting next week!  Ride safe and see you soon!

Honor and Remember Them All.
Remember, RFTW Riders are Built Different.

Kirk “Pretty Boy” Olson
kirk.olson@rftw.us
RFTW Central Route Coordinator – 2025
Asst. Route Coordinator – 2024
Road Guard Captain – 2023
Asst. Road Guard Captain – 2019
RFTW Board of Directors – 2016-2019
Road Guard 2010-2018
FNG 2009

If you have not seen from previous newsletters by me or the other Route Coordinators from Southern, Midway, and Sandbox, RFTW is moving to GMRS for our on-road communications. This is not as big of a transition for us on Central Route this year in 2025, since we piloted the GMRS radios in 2024, and they worked very well.  My advice to you all is to get the radio now, and learn how to use, pair, and connect them to your helmet speakers or ear drums.  Also, help our friends on Southern, Midway, and Sandbox get theirs set-up and paired. Personally, I use a Sena 50S paired to the radio, and I paired the radio as PHONE 2, to the radio. See Sena directions, on how to do this.

**See this post on Where and What to Buy, and all things GMRS for RFTW.**

**See this Post for Videos on how to Program the radios** or here.

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Midway Route Coordinator Newsletter – May 2025

RFTW Rider Survey

Midway Family, May is here!!!!!!!

We are now just 12 Days from KSU. Your leadership teams are putting the final touches on your Midway adventure.

At the risk of repeating myself, I must remind all of us about where our focus should be. What do we truly need to pack for our 11-day adventure. Just the essentials because there is not a lot of room on the bike for anything else. And always remember, there are stores everywhere. It has always helped me to prepare a checklist of necessary items: Prescriptions, toiletries, changes of clothes, undergarments, extra glasses, long-sleeved shirts, socks, warm clothing for those cold mornings, extra gloves for those cold mornings, etc. The more you pack, the more weight you carry.

Pre-Paid Fuel

The “early purchase” Pre-Paid fuel option is now closed.  But, you can still get your pre-paid fuel sticker at registration check-in – CASH ONLY! At registration your payment will be verified or cash accepted, and you will be issued a fuel sticker. This will go on your windshield, on the clutch side just below your platoon number. For individuals with windshield banners, clutch side, beside your banner. Please remember, even with prepaid fuel you need to come to Staging each morning with a full tank of gas.

Route Itinerary

The Midway Route Itinerary has now been published and is available HERE. You can either print out a copy or download it to your phone or mobile device. This will provide you with a minute by minute, Day by day glimpse of exactly what you will be involved in. Additionally, I know many of you have friends that wish to meet you or stand on an overpass and recognize your personal adventure. The itinerary provides exact locations for you and your friends. Lastly, it also provides emergency Medical and Chase vehicle phone numbers to assist you with any issues you may face along the route.

Ontario Schedule of Events

The Ontario Pre-Run Itinerary/Schedule of Events has also been published and each of your team/Platoon leaders has been given a copy. Please ensure you are where you need to be to attend your meetings to meet your fellow riders and have the most current information. Additionally, there is also a schedule of events happening at the Elks lodge including meals.

A shuttle schedule has also been published between the host hotel and the Elks lodge if you wish to use it.

Registration

Believe it or not, there are still individuals who have not registered for the run.

Please register now. Our registration team needs to have you on their computers, so we know if you have made it to Ontario.

End of Mission at the Wall

The RFTW picture at the Lincoln Memorial will be on 24 May at 0900. You need to be there early to find a good location for the photo. Immediately afterwards we will walk to the Vietnam Memorial and have the “End of Mission” ceremony” where all four route coordinators will lay the RFTW Mission plaque at the apex of the wall. This will occur at 0930 so you need to make your way to the wall with a purpose.

Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown

Midway has been assigned 19 motorcycles with 38 seats available to ride to the “Tomb of the Unknown soldier” and observe a laying of a wreath on behalf of all the riders from RFTW. This is truly an honor. The only motorcycles allowed on Arlington National Cemetery grounds are those from RFTW. A lottery will be used to select the riders. FNG’s and Vietnam vets only!

Please contact your platoon leader for additional details

Always remember our primary reason for riding is our Mission:

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.

Donations

If you are working with any organizations that are contributing to the Midway route for 2025, please remind them that there are only 12 days left to process the donation and to be useful in support of this year’s adventure.

Pack and repack your bike. (You do not need as much as you may think). Walk, run, stretch, exercise!

Ride your bike, if possible. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!

Do NOT procrastinate. Do it today!!!

Lastly, please remember that we respect all riders and their opinions. NO ATTITUDES!

Remember that we are on a Mission that requires all of us to work together and help each other in order to be successful. Set your own wants and needs aside and reflect on the hardships and commitment of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country free.

We strive to maintain a safe, supportive and private atmosphere in which all participants can reflect and heal on their journey to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. in the hope that they can return home to a new beginning.

Freedom Isn’t Free

Say Their Name, Tell Their Story, Never Forget

 See you in Ontario. Be safe in your travels. Maybe practice Throttle control instead of using your brakes. Just saying!!!!

Ed “Wind Dog” Brundage
2025-Midway Route Coordinator
2023-2024 Advance Team Lead
2013-2022 Fuel team, Asst Fuel team Lead
2008-2012 Central Route ATW

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April 2025 Central Route Newsletter

*(This newsletter is best read at this link.)
RFTW and Central Route Riders!  It is almost here! We are 37-days until kickstands up, and the commencement of RFTW 2025 – The 35th Annual Run!  I mentioned this before, but it is time to get yourself and your motorcycle in tip top shape. I took my bike in last Saturday to get new tires, and my dealer discovered that I also needed a new front-wheel, wheel bearing.  Additionally, they also discovered that my faring was a little loose, and needed some tightening. The more you can do to prevent breakdowns on the run the better you will be.  But always know that we have our Chase Trucks for cases when people do breakdown or get flats, etc.

There have been some additional questions regarding our fuel stickers on Central Route. From my newsletter in February, the sticker is $35.00 per motorcycle or trike.  It is your ticket and passport to jump in our fuel line at any of our stops.  You will purchase the sticker with CASH when you check-in and get your registration materials in Ontario or at any of our overnight stops along the way. If you don’t have a fuel sticker, you will not be allowed to pump fuel in our fuel line(s) to get RFTW paid, sponsored and donated fuel.

Central Route is going to do things a little bit different this year. It is my aim to cut down on some of the multiple and sometimes seemingly redundant meetings we have had in the past, specifically in Ontario.  We will have one Central Route ALL HANDS meeting, at the Holiday Inn (2155 E Convention Center Way, Ontario, CA 91764) in the large ballroom at 11AM on Tuesday, May 13. This meeting is for FNG’s, all riders, and folks in leadership – All Hands. It is hours earlier than in the past, to give people time to rest, relax, and prepare for the next day’s departure.  I always hated us going up against the dinner hour the night before we leave, and now I get to fix that and try something new. It is my aim that this is a positive change for the better. We are cutting a separate FNG meeting, separate “leadership meeting”, and then having an all hands on top of all of that.  Team leads will still have their meetings, but that is on them to schedule around our one Central Route ALL Hands.

The Central Route Itinerary is out and published. See details here on how to put it on your iPhone, and print a copy for yourself. Note that the cover of our booklet is a replica of the RFTW graphic that was used on the FIRST RFTW in 1989. If you are joining us somewhere other than Ontario, my recommendation is that you join us at any of our overnight stops, as far WEST as you can, so you can experience as much of what is in-store, as possible. My FNG year in 2009, I joined in Burlington, CO that year, as that was our overnight (We now do Limon, CO). I loved it immediately, and regretted not joining further west. Regardless, do as much of it as you can, and your schedule allows.

Let’s talk a little  bit more about our Vietnam Veterans, and this years’ Run in particular. The Vietnam Veteran platoon will ride up front behind the Missing Man formation and our six-pack the entire journey to DC. To ride in this platoon, you need to have received the Vietnam campaign medal/ribbon. My father, Harlan Olson, will be the platoon leader for the Vietnam veteran platoon, Rod George will be the assistant, and Mike Hodge will be the tail gunner.  All of them have YEARS of experience with RFTW, and my dad, Harlan Olson was the Central Route Coordinator for the 30th Run in 2018.

Speaking of Vietnam, I had the opportunity to go to Saigon in early 2019 (now called Ho Chi Minh City), as my company at the time had our global sales meeting there.  My dad was stationed in Saigon in 1964 with the US Army Security Agency, 3rd Radio Research Unit.  The Army Security Agency was basically the Army’s version of the NSA. I recalled him telling stories a few times of his time there and The Caravelle Hotel, where he would hang out sometimes, and since I was there, I recreated a photo of him in 1964.  The images below will enlarge when you click on them.

On Friday, May 16, 2025 when we arrive at the Angel Fire Vietnam Memorial this year in New Mexico, on Day 3, we will lay two memorial bricks, just like we do every year over Labor Day Weekend when RFTW riders lay a few hundred bricks.  We will honor and remember Arthur Wayne Glover, from Harrisburg, PA and Donald Richard Taylor from Morristown, TN.  These men were also in the Army Security Agency in Saigon, and they were both killed on the same day during the same incident in 1964.  They were ages 24 and 21 when they were killed, and their names are on Panel 1E, Line 43 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall. This will be an ALL HANDS Event when we get to the Memorial on May 16, and will take just a few minutes. Below is a video of what a brick laying entails over Labor Day Weekend.

One quick note about the GMRS Radios. BTECH recently released in January a large, new firmware update 0.8.0, and now 0.8.3 for the GMRS-PRO radio. This update added a VOX feature. If you did or do any of these updates, check and make sure to DISABLE or double-check that the VOX FEATURE is DISABLED!  This could potentially cause too many unnecessary ”open mic” transmissions. You should not use VOX on The Run.

To Disable:
From the front panel of the radio:
MENU > Radio Settings > UNCHECK Enable Vox

(make sure there is no checkmark under this feature and setting)

Additionally, on a side note, when connecting to a Sena headset, you sometimes might hear a never-ending loud beeping.  The fix for this is to roll the volume all the way down on the jog dial of the Sena, and then back up to where you want it.

Register for the 2025 Run now

Registration is now $75 until April 30th.  Then it goes to $90. Price is slightly lower under the Day Rider Program.  Go to the registration page now.  Everyone is highly encouraged to REGISTER for RFTW in 2025 now.  This helps us make an accurate plan for May.  If you are in Leadership you need to be getting registered now, if not already.  Your registration is your indication to us that you are committing to your volunteer position.  FNGs please also register as early as you can.  We know plans can change. This immensely helps our State Coordinators plan for meals, etc. Your registration fee basically covers, the privilege to ride with the Run in the pack, which in-turn gets you breakfast, lunch, and dinner at all of our stops across the country that is provided by our donors and supporters.  We could not do it without them.

Register for RFTW 2025

Honor and Remember Them All.
Remember, RFTW Riders are Built Different.

Kirk “Pretty Boy” Olson
kirk.olson@rftw.us
RFTW Central Route Coordinator – 2025
Asst. Route Coordinator – 2024
Road Guard Captain – 2023
Asst. Road Guard Captain – 2019
RFTW Board of Directors – 2016-2019
Road Guard 2010-2018
FNG 2009

If you have not seen from previous newsletters by me or the other Route Coordinators from Southern, Midway, and Sandbox, RFTW is moving to GMRS for our on-road communications. This is not as big of a transition for us on Central Route this year in 2025, since we piloted the GMRS radios in 2024, and they worked very well.  My advice to you all is to get the radio now, and learn how to use, pair, and connect them to your helmet speakers or ear drums.  Also, help our friends on Southern, Midway, and Sandbox get theirs set-up and paired. Personally, I use a Sena 50S paired to the radio, and I paired the radio as PHONE 2, to the radio. See Sena directions, on how to do this.

**See this post on Where and What to Buy, and all things GMRS for RFTW.**

**See this Post for Videos on how to Program the radios** or here.

Posted on by

Midway Route Coordinator Newsletter – April 2025

RFTW Rider Survey

May is just around the corner. We are now just 41 Days from KSU.

We need to start considering our preparations for getting to Ontario and “On our Mission”.

What do we really need to pack for our 11-day adventure. Just the essentials because there is not a lot of room on the bike for anything else. And always remember, there are stores everywhere. It has always helped me to prepare a checklist of necessary items: Prescriptions, toiletries, changes of clothes, undergarments, extra glasses, long-sleeved shirts, socks, warm clothing for those cold mornings, extra gloves for those cold mornings, etc. If you have a rider, this also cuts your available space in half. I would start to practice packing now.

Is your bike ready? Has a qualified mechanic looked over it and told you it will make the total miles we will be traveling from your front door and back. Have you considered a couple of bottles of fuel additive in case we run into stations that do not carry 91 Octane? “Food for thought”!

Pre-Paid Fuel

The Pre-Paid fuel option is now open. I strongly recommend you use this method to pay for your fuel. It will reduce the time spent at the pumps substantially. Time that you will need off your bike. Payments may be made using Zelle (Your bank should have this capability) and sending $150.00 payment to Midway.Route@rftw.us. Remember to add “Midway Pre-paid fuel 2025″ in the memo line.

Riders fuel their motorcycles during Run For The Wall Midway Route

We will receive notification of the payment and will have a list of those who pre-paid for fuel at Registration in Ontario.  You can also send a check made out to: Run For The Wall, Inc.  Put “Midway Route prepaid fuel” in the memo line. Mail to: RFTW Treasurer, 50 Fourth Ave Unit 1445, Dayton, NV 89403.  A third option is to pay cash at check-in at Ontario. There are no credit card options. Please remember, even with prepaid fuel you need to come to Staging each morning with a full tank of gas.

Route Itineraries

Itineraries have now been published and are available on the Midway website. You can either print out a copy or use the QR code and download it to your phone or mobile device. This will provide you with a minute by minute, Day by day glimpse of exactly what you will be involved in. Additionally, I know many of you have friends that wish to meet you or stand on an overpass and recognize your personal adventure. The itinerary provides exact locations for you and your friends. Lastly, it also provides emergency Medical and Chase vehicle phone numbers to assist you with any issues you may face along the route.

Registration

There are still individuals who have not registered for the run. Please go to the website and register as soon as possible. If you are unsure if you have or have not registered yet, please send an e-mail to roger.ford1234@gmail.com and he can quickly check for you. We need accurate numbers for all our meal providers, fuel providers (They need to know how much 91 Octane to have on hand), hotels etc.

Additionally, our registration team needs to have you on their computers, so we know if you have made it to Ontario.

End of Mission at the Wall

The RFTW picture at the Lincoln Memorial will be on 24 May at 0900. You need to be there early to find a good location for the photo. Immediately afterwards we will walk to the Vietnam Memorial and have the “End of Mission” ceremony” where all four route coordinators will lay the RFTW Mission plaque at the apex of the wall. This will occur at 0930 so you need to make your way to the wall with a purpose.

Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown

Midway has been assigned 19 motorcycles with 38 seats available to ride to the “Tomb of the Unknown soldier” and observe a laying of a wreath on behalf of all the riders from RFTW. This is truly an honor. The only motorcycles allowed on Arlington National Cemetery grounds are those from RFTW. I have selected a lottery method to fill those seats. FNG’s and Vietnam vets are my target population for this lottery. If you are interested, please contact your platoon leadership and give them your name.

More to follow on additional details

Sandbox Route

For those of you planning to continue your mission on the Sandbox route, here is your meeting schedule.

SandBox Route Meeting Schedule American Legion Post 176, 6520 Amherst Ave, Springfield, VA

Friday, 23 MAY 2025

  • 1:00-6:00pm Check-in All Riders (Bar area)
  • 1:00pm QM Equipment Setup (Dentz Rm)

 Saturday, 24 MAY 2025

  • 9:00am-6:00pm Check-in All Riders (Bar area)
  • 12:00-4:30pm QM Equipment Issue (Dentz Rm)
  • 2:30-3:00pm Team Leaders Mtg (Banquet Hall)
  • 3:00-3:30pm Road Guard Meeting (Warrior Cafe)
  • 3:00-3:30pm Staging/Fuel Team Mtg (Banquet Hall)
  • 3:30-4:00pm Amb/Outreach Team Mtg (Banquet Hall)
  • 3:30-4:00pm Platoon Leadership Mtg (Warrior Cafe)
  • 4:00-5:30pm All Riders Mtg (Banquet Hall)
  • 5:30-6:00pm FNG Mtg (Banquet Hall)

 

Rolling to Remember

If you are not riding the Sandbox route, there is a great opportunity to ride around the Mall of Washinton DC with R2R (Rolling to Remember). This used to be called Rolling Thunder but has changed it’s name. There will be a group leaving from the American legion Post on the morning of the 25th to attend this rally. Please stand by for more information on this opportunity. There is some planning still being completed.

Donations

Donations are still being accepted in support of the Midway route. If you have any organizations, veteran’s groups or friends of veterans we would really appreciate their support. RFTW is a 501 (c) 3 organization.

If any of your organizations are considering a donation, please let them know that we are 42 days away from KSU.

I am truly excited about this year’s Midway route experience. Your leadership team has worked countless hours to ensure your safety and journey is as stress free as they can possibly make it.

They are truly the living definition of Servant leadership, and I personally salute each of them. If you get the opportunity a “Thank you” and a shake of the hand would be all the pay, they receive.

Pack and repack your bike. (You do not need as much as you may think). Walk, run, stretch, exercise!

Ride your bike, if possible. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!

We are getting closer fast and time fly’s, so do NOT procrastinate.

My ARC (Assistant Route Coordinator) and I look forward to meeting each of you in Ontario.

“Is it May yet”  “Never forget”  “Say their names”  “Service before self”

Ed “Wind Dog” Brundage
2025-Midway Route Coordinator
2023-2024 Advance Team Lead
2013-2022 Fuel team, Asst Fuel team Lead
2008-2012 Central Route ATW

Posted on by

2025 Central Route Itinerary is now Published @ www.rftw.us

Greetings from RFTW and the CENTRAL ROUTE! –
May is 37-days away, and KSU is in 50-days!

We are pleased to announce that the Official 2025 Central Route Itinerary is complete and posted!  This is your 10-Day Daily Schedule. Get familiar with it. Use it. Put it on your phone, or print a hard copy for yourself.

It can be viewed and downloaded here:
https://rftw.us/central-route-hub

Additionally, if you want to PRINT a hard copy BOOKLET for yourself, the best thing to do is use this PRINT version, and print using the PRINT BOOKLET Option with Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader.

TWO VERSIONS – Screen and PRINT

  1. Put on your phone version – Click here
  2. Print booklet version, using Print Booklet function of Adobe Acrobat – Click Here (Save file to your computer first.)
    **Instructions on how to PRINT BOOKLET Here. Must be able to print on two sides of paper. Click here for instructions.** The MAP pages are on the LONG EDGE in the PRINT Version, and they are rotated for easier viewing in the Phone version.

To download and put the itinerary on your Apple iPhone click on the itinerary link at the Central Hub, then follow these instructions below.

Save and View PDFs to the Books app on your iPhone or iPad

Use Apple Books to save and view PDFs.

Tap the link above and get the itinerary PDF to open it.

  1. Tap the Share button 
  2. Swipe left over the app icons and tap Books.
    The Apple Books icon
    If you can’t see Books, tap the More button. Then tap Books.
    The Apple Books icon appears when you tap the More button.

Your PDF will open and save automatically in the Books app. You can find it later in the Library tab.

If you own an Android, follow these instructions:
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/hub/how-to-read-pdfs-on-android.html

See you in May!

Honor and Remember Them All.
Remember, RFTW Riders are Built Different.

Kirk “Pretty Boy” Olson
kirk.olson@rftw.us
RFTW Central Route Coordinator – 2025
Asst. Route Coordinator – 2024
Road Guard Captain – 2023
Asst. Road Guard Captain – 2019
RFTW Board of Directors – 2016-2019
Road Guard 2010-2018
FNG 2009

If you have not seen from previous newsletters by me or the other Route Coordinators from Southern, Midway, and Sandbox, RFTW is moving to GMRS for our on-road communications. This is not as big of a transition for us on Central Route this year in 2025, since we piloted the GMRS radios in 2024, and they worked very well.  My advice to you all is to get the radio now, and learn how to use, pair, and connect them to your helmet speakers or ear drums.  Also, help our friends on Southern, Midway, and Sandbox get theirs set-up and paired. Personally, I use a Sena 50S paired to the radio, and I paired the radio as PHONE 2, to the radio. See Sena directions, on how to do this.

**See this post on Where and What to Buy, and all things GMRS for RFTW.**

**See this Post for Videos on how to Program the radios** or here.

Posted on by

Midway Route Coordinator Newsletter – March 2025

RFTW Rider Survey

March is already here and that leaves us with 72 days until KSU. Most people are busy with their daily lives. Children, Grandchildren, work, friends which is just life in general and produces our greatest personal joys. You also need to focus on your needs to make this journey enjoyable and personally rewarding. Riding a motorcycle requires some intense preparation and planning.

Have you been getting in physical shape? Riding a motorcycle for 10 straight days will require at least a stretching regime to keep your legs from cramping. Please start walking with your spouse, or some light weights or stretching or something that will reduce any discomfort from being in the “seat” for hours at a time.

Is your bike ready for your trip to Ontario, then to DC and then home? My mechanic does what he calls a “Safety Check” where he changes oil (All three holes), checks the tires to ensure enough tread is available to get you across the country and home, all bike systems, brakes, pads, cables, system connectors, axles, bearings. My instructions to him are to look at this bike with a parent’s eye like you were going to give it to your son or daughter to make this journey.

Please go over it after you get it from the shop and ensure all bolts, hex screws and all other bike parts are tightened down. Anything falling from your bike must be delt with by everyone following you. That is your personal safety tip.

The final preparations are underway to make this adventure the most rewarding, healing journey you have experienced. Following the principle of “Servant Leadership” all team leaders are busily at work dotting all the I’s and crossing all the T’s ensuring a ride that holds no hidden surprises. No one likes “Murphys Law”.

The route itinerary is almost completed and should be available by the end of the month or shortly after. This will only be available to you in a digital format, but you will be able to download it to your phone, laptop, pad or print out a hard copy. This will tell you what the route will be doing from Day to Day, stops through each day, Fueling and staging locations, host hotel information, emergency telephone numbers for chase vehicles and medical needs, hand signals used by RFTW and any daily special instructions from your road guards.

The schedules for Ontario and Springfield, VA are in there final preparations and should be published shortly. These will provide you with additional information about required events like registration, required meetings, their locations and additional event opportunities. There will be rider training offered this year in Lot D by your professional Road Guard community if you would like just a little more practice before jumping on our country’s freeway system. More to follow in next month’s newsletter about these schedules.

For our FNG’s (Friendly New Guys/Gals)

I am personally excited about all the opportunities that are available for you this year. Missing Man formation rider, Flag escort, food line priorities (Maybe), Arlington National Cemetery (Tomb of the Unknown) and many others. The Board of Directors has acquired permission for 75 bikes to go to the Tomb for the ceremony. The Route Coordinators are currently discussing the number of bikes per route that will be assigned.

To my Vietnam Brothers and Sisters

Prepare yourself for a “welcome home” celebration from many individuals and organizations across the country. This will be a journey for you that I sincerely hope will help you bring closure to any issues you still may be suffering from in our war. I stand with and beside you daily in this healing journey. We have a dedicated Chaplain Corps available for you at any time.
Lastly, Get out on that motorcycle and ride. If the weather permits, try and get some longer rides in since we will be in seats between 430 to 250 miles per day. Once is not bad, however you will be riding for 10 days straight.

Stand by for more information to follow as we get closer to KSU!

“Is it May Yet”

Ed “Wind Dog” Brundage
2025-Midway Route Coordinator
2023-2024 Advance Team Lead
2013-2022 Fuel team, Asst Fuel team Lead
2008-2012 Central Route ATW

Posted on by

February 2025 Central Route Newsletter

*(This newsletter is best read at this link.)
RFTW and Central Route Riders!  We are 87-days until kickstands up, and the commencement of RFTW 2025 – The 35th Annual Run!  Can you feel it yet? I hope so. Now is the time to really start getting yourself and your bike in tip-top shape for this years RFTW. Relatively speaking we don’t travel super long distances each day, but we do typically start early in the mornings, and by the time evening rolls around you are ready for rest.  Please do your best to make sure that you can endure. Exercise now. Walk. Do whatever is good for you, but it will help.

I have GREAT NEWS to report. This year on Central Route we will be doing Pre-Paid Fuel stickers again, as we have done the past couple of years. In 2025 the Central Route Pre-Paid Fuel Stickers will be $35.00 per motorcycle or trike. Yes, you read that right — $35.00. This will cover your fuel from Ontario, CA to Washington, DC.   Some of our fuel stops are donated by organizations and individuals, and some are not.  The fuel sticker covers you from coast-to-coast and is your “ticket” to jump in our RFTW fuel line and get fuel.  It also helps cover the cost of fuel for our Chase Truck team of drivers and our Last Man Vehicle, for those that break down and need to be picked up by that crew. You will pay this when you check-in and pick up your registration materials in Ontario, or any of our overnight stops where you register and check-in. Please have your fuel sticker monies in CASH when you CHECK-IN at registration, and you will then receive the sticker to put on your bike. There is no excuse to not get a fuel sticker in 2025, actually at this price, let’s just call it a requirement.

Speaking of Check-in, if you are joining us somewhere in the middle of the country (not Ontario) Check-in is open at the evening dinner stops, and before the morning meetings the day we depart. These are your only two times each day to check-in with our registration team — Evening at dinner, and before the morning meetings.

Route planning is underway and is actually just about complete. We will put the final touches on our route plan with our State Coordinators and Crew & Team Leads on a March 4th Conference Call.  For those that may not know, about 12 or so years ago, Mike “Dadbo” Owen put our entire route on Google Earth.  To this day, we use what he originally put together on Google Earth for our planning purposes.  Over the years he has put countless and countless hours into this work.  He took a break from it for a few years, and then Chuck “Mr. Priority” Brown, did it for a few years.  (Speaking of Chuck, I gave him that road name, and it is a HILARIOUS STORY.  Ask him or me about it sometime.)

I asked Dadbo if he could be our planner again this year, and he graciously said YES.  So, if any of you “map enthusiasts” out there would like to see what our route looks like on Google Earth, feel free to take a look at this “View Only” version online – here.  When the page loads, click on the BACK Button next to my picture that will show up in the page in the top left corner. From there you can double-click and drill down on any of the days and stops.

Register for the 2025 Run now

Registration is now $75 until April 30th.  Then it goes to $90. Price is slightly lower under the Day Rider Program.  Go to the registration page now.  Everyone is highly encouraged to REGISTER for RFTW in 2025 now.  This helps us make an accurate plan for May.  If you are in Leadership you need to be getting registered now, if not already.  Your registration is your indication to us that you are committing to your volunteer position.  FNGs please also register as early as you can.  We know plans can change. This immensely helps our State Coordinators plan for meals, etc. Your registration fee basically covers, the privilege to ride with the Run in the pack, which in-turn gets you breakfast, lunch, and dinner at all of our stops across the country that is provided by our donors and supporters.  We could not do it without them.

Register for RFTW 2025

In the coming few weeks, FNGs will be getting contacted by Scott Gatton, our Platoon Coordinator, with the help of Nick Hentges our 2025 Route Mentor (2024 RC).   We would like to pre-assign platoons, as much as possible, so platoon members can meet their platoon leaders and their platoon crew before the run. If you are coming on the run WITH a Group or friend, and want to be in the same platoon, they will need to know that information.

Some of you may or may not know this, but my father Harlan Olson, was the Central Route Coordinator for the 30th RFTW.  This was way back in 2018 before any of us knew what AI, TikTok, or COVID was. I always thought he did a great job with the video he made that year, and it pretty much holds up to today, except for the fuel part, as we have moved to fuel stickers. I now have the privilege of leading the 35th RFTW, and we are the first Father-Son RC’s in RFTW. Here is that video he made in the fall of 2017 for the 2018 RFTW, edited and produced by Chuck “Mr. Priority” Brown. BTW, he will be the platoon leader for the Central Route Vietnam Veterans platoon this year.

2018 Central Route Coordinator Video

Honor and Remember Them All.
Remember, RFTW Riders are Built Different.

Kirk “Pretty Boy” Olson
kirk.olson@rftw.us
RFTW Central Route Coordinator – 2025
Asst. Route Coordinator – 2024
Road Guard Captain – 2023
Asst. Road Guard Captain – 2019
RFTW Board of Directors – 2016-2019
Road Guard 2010-2018
FNG 2009

If you have not seen from previous newsletters by me or the other Route Coordinators from Southern, Midway, and Sandbox, RFTW is moving to GMRS for our on-road communications. This is not as big of a transition for us on Central Route this year in 2025, since we piloted the GMRS radios in 2024, and they worked very well.  My advice to you all is to get the radio now, and learn how to use, pair, and connect them to your helmet speakers or ear drums.  Also, help our friends on Southern, Midway, and Sandbox get theirs set-up and paired. Personally, I use a Sena 50S paired to the radio, and I paired the radio as PHONE 2, to the radio. See Sena directions, on how to do this.

**See this post on Where and What to Buy, and all things GMRS for RFTW.**

**See this Post for Videos on how to Program the radios** or here.

Donate to the RFTW and the Central Route

If you find it within your heart to support Run for the Wall and RFTW Central Route, please consider making a donation.  This will help make  RFTW 2025 and the 35th Annual Run a complete success. Donate Online – Here

You can also Zelle a donation directly to: central.route@rftw.us
*Most banks now support Zelle transfers.

Or mail a check to:
Run for the Wall Inc.
Central Route
50 Fourth Ave Unit 1445
Dayton, NV 89403

Run For The Wall® Inc. EIN 36-4125559
Run For The Wall® is a 501(c)(3) tax deductible organization.