Category: Midway Route SitReps

Aloha to my RFTW ֫Ohana.  It is my honor to have been nominated by Paul Marshall and approved by the Board of Directors (BOD) of Run for the Wall to be the Route Coordinator for the Central Route Run for the Wall XXXIV/2024.   I want to thank Paul Marshall and the BOD for their confidence in my abilities to lead the Central Route.

As a combat veteran, the mission of the RFTW is close to my heart, and a mission I know to be critical to all of our veterans and to the health of our nation.

I enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1981 at the age of 17 and served for 24 ½ years.  I Retired in March of 2006.  During my time in the Corps, I was involved in 3 Combat tours, including Contingency Operations in Beirut Lebanon, Desert Shield/Storm/Sweep and Watch, and the invasion of Iraq in 2003, where I was the Logistics Chief for 3^rd Battalion 7^th Marine Regiment.  In 3^rd Bn 7^th Marines, I was proud to add to the distinguished legacy of the Battalion, a legacy that includes the honorable service of Gunny Gregory, founder of RFTW, who served in 3^rd Bn 7^th Marines in Vietnam.  When I returned from each of these deployments I was greeted with respect and Welcomed Home.  Our Vietnam Veterans did not receive this Welcome Home or Thanks for their Service when they first returned, and it is because of their determination that this should never happen again, that I received my Welcome Home.  The Run’s Mission carries this determination forward to all veterans of all wars – a vital mission worthy of our energy and renewed efforts as we carry on into 2024.

I became involved with RFTW in 2009 at the urging of Pato-Pato and was planning on going once. I owned a Harley Davidson Sportster and decided that was not an appropriate Bike for the Run, so I flew from Honolulu to the LA area and found a Goldwing for sale.

The plan was to do the Run and leave the bike with Family in Virginia to sell for me.  By the end of Day 1 of the 2009 Run, my plans changed.  I called my wife from Williams and told her to change my flight from Virginia to a flight a week later from San Diego, because I was keeping the bike and shipping it home to Hawaii from California.  I needed it for RFTW 2010!  In 2010 I was asked to be a platoon tailgunner. In 2011 I was moved into the Assistant Platoon Leader spot and did that job for a few years. In 2016 I took over as Platoon Leader. In 2022 I was a Road Guard and then in 2023 Paul Marshall and the BOD honored me with the Assistant Route Coordinator Position. I also served as a platoon leader on the Sandbox Recon in 2019 and as a Road Guard on Sandbox in 2023.  Additionally, I was on the Board of Directors for 2 1⁄2 years as the Director of Public Relations and Communications and as the BOD Secretary.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS

Enough about me; let’s talk about 2024.  RFTW 2023 went very well, but as always, we look for ways to improve the Run and strengthen the Mission. I don’t plan on fixing things that are not broken, but I do have some ideas that may help the Run.  I need input from both our seasoned riders and our new riders to help me with that. PLEASE CLICK HERE AND FILL OUT AN AFTER-ACTION REPORT. It can be anonymous if you prefer, but if you include your name and contact info, I can reach out to talk about any issues or ideas you have.

VOLUNTEERS

We also need Volunteers to help fill empty positions.  Go online and fill out the Volunteer form Important – Even if you had a position last year, I need to know if you are interested in coming back in that capacity or maybe looking for a new Role, so please submit your form.

CLICK HERE FOR THE VOLUNTEER FORM

We will be having Zoom Meetings in the coming weeks to complete a “Debrief/After Action Report.”  Using this information as well as the After-Action Reports from Individuals, I plan on developing our overall plan with Leadership and hope to make 2024 a great year for RFTW Central Route.

REGISTRATION – September 11, 2023

I encourage everyone to Register early as soon as the Registration Opens on 9-11-2023 so we can do several things.

1. Start getting an Accurate Count of Riders.
2. Confirm that our Leadership and Volunteers are Committed to RFTW XXXIV.
3. Start planning for all of our stops next year.

As many of you have heard numerous times, we are all ambassadors for the Run, so I encourage each of you to get out in your community and spread the word about RFTW. Stress the fact that riders do not have to go All the Way. They can join for a day or 2 or longer depending on their work and life schedules. Colorado has a great network and I encourage Riders in other States to do something similar. CO had 68 Riders registered for the 2023 Run (68 of 462!)!

Planning is underway for the Angel Fire Workday/Reunion over Labor Day weekend already. If you would like to assist in the planning, please reach out to me and I will connect you with the folks already working behind the scenes.

There will be more news to come in the next few weeks as we solidify teams, firm up our plans for Angel Fire and get the planning underway. I look forward to seeing all of you in Angel Fire and/or Ontario CA.

Nick “Richboy” Hentges
RFTW Central Route Coordinator 2024

This my last Central Route (CR) newsletter.

It was an honor and privilege to have been chosen as the Route Coordinator for RFTW XXXIII, 2023, and to have led such a fine group of riders across the country to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial – “The Wall”.

My sincere thanks to all those volunteers who worked – through a year of planning, and the actual execution of the Run – to make RFTW XXXIII a success. Your commitment to RFTW and its mission; your leadership skills; your concern for the welfare of riders – all contributed to that success.

Thank you also to all new and returning riders. The skills with which you joined RFTW XXXIII contributed to your safe and successful ride. Along with your perseverance in adapting to a new and unique ridership style, you endured extreme weather and road conditions, fought fatigue, and maneuvered through challenges presented by other drivers and riders not associated with RFTW. You also forged new friendships and experienced the welcome and support of veterans from communities across this country. When all is said and done, YOU, contributed heartily to the successful completion of the RFTW mission.

To all riders who completed RFTW XXXIII; what was your motivation for joining RFTW? Some of you are veterans and feel a comradery with fellow veterans, and a link to the RFTW mission. Some are family members of veterans and want to show their support for their veteran and RFTW. And, some riders are devoted veteran supporters. Whatever your motivation for participating, what are your plans for next year and RFTW XXXIV?

Over the years, many riders have returned to the Run, either as a pack rider, or in a former (or new) leadership position. As you probably noted this year in many CR newsletters, leadership positions changes hands between Runs. As a non-FNG, you are eligible to apply for a leadership position. This includes platoon leadership, fuel and staging teams, chase vehicle team and other leadership support positions. So, if you think you might be interested, consider submitting a volunteer request form for next year. SIGN UP HERE!

As a rider, you may be interested in seeing a pictorial history of RFTW XXXIII. The CR Photographer (Alan Steiner) shot thousands of photographs throughout the Run, from Ontario to Washington, D.C. if you are interested in seeing RFTW photos, possibly including yourself, please check out the photo gallery on RFTW website. (https://rftw.us/central-route-hub/central-route-photo-gallery/). Please give our photographer and webmaster time to get the photos posted.

Another important thing to remind you about: AFTER ACTION REPORTS. Please go to the link and fill out the form. This helps us understand what, in the individual’s opinion, worked well and what did not. It also helps us identify potential problems and address them for next year. The RC for next year will receive all of these and make decisions based on input. If you don’t make us aware of issues, we cannot work to correct them. Keep in mind that we do value any and all input, all reports will be read and considered, but not all suggestions will be implemented.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT

 RFTW XXXIII is complete! In the coming months the Board of Directors will confirm a new Route Coordinator (RC) and Assistant Route Coordinator (ARC). And, the planning for the next RFTW will begin again. Naturally, I wish the new RC and ARC the best. As in the past, they will be challenged by lessons learned during the previous Run. You can help them (and the RFTW mission) by returning to RFTW XXXIV as a volunteer, and leader.

We ride for those who can’t.

Paul “Brush” Marshall
CR RC RFTW XXXIII

This is the last Central Route (CR) newsletter before kick stands up (KSU) in Ontario – in about 15 days. If you’re like me, the excitement is peaking, and your motorcycle is already packed, serviced and ready to go. In any case, you’re quickly running out of time.

More than 1181 riders and supporters have registered for RFTW XXXIII – a total of 459 CR riders and supporters alone.

All CR registrants to this point have been assigned to a platoon. All riders who register late in Ontario (or along our route) will also be assigned to a platoon, based on the needs of platoons.

Volunteers:  We’ve been pretty successful in filling our CR leadership teams. A huge thank you to all who stepped up to assume these responsible and essential positions. Like all four routes, CR is always looking for (non-FNG) riders who can fill leadership role, and are dedicated to the RFTW mission. CR still has available positions on the fuel and staging teams. In addition, while we have a couple “chase” vehicles, we still have a need for a volunteer with a truck and trailer capable of hauling up to four (4) motorcycles. So, if you’re interested in volunteering to assist with CR operations, whether it be this year or next, be sure to submit a volunteer request form. Our Medical team could also use some more trained medics. Please contact the Assistant Route Coordinator Nick Hentges if you are interested and qualified. CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER

FNG Meeting and Pre-Paid Fuel:  On Saturday, April 15^th, CR hosted an online FNG orientation meeting. In this meeting we introduced many members of CR leadership, and presented an overview of the Run. This included the Ontario check-in process, riding styles (staggered vs. side-by-side), and expectations concerning rider conduct during the Run. We also touched on RFTW online resources, and demonstrated how to search for valuable participant information. (CENTRAL ROUTE HUB). Platoon leaders will continue to hold Zoom meetings for riders assigned to their platoon right up to our arrival in Ontario.

During the meeting we also discussed fueling and staging procedures in some detail. This included a reminder about the pre-paid fuel option available to all CR riders. While all CR riders are encouraged to participate in the pre-paid fuel option, it is not required. That said, based on years of experience fueling hundreds of motorcycles, electing this option will significantly speed the process of fueling, allow riders to quickly stage, and give riders more time for rest, hydration and snacks.

The cost of the CR pre-paid fuel option is only $90 per rider. Riders interested should ask a Registration Team member during “check-in” in Ontario. Upon purchase, riders will be issued a sticker for their motorcycle windscreen. Seeing this sticker, fuel team members will know not to collect money and will send you on your way quickly. And, riders will not have to remove or adjust their riding gear (e.g., gloves, jackets, weather gear, etc.). So, remember to bring a little extra cash with you to Ontario for the pre-paid fuel option. You’ll be helping yourself, and the CR Fuel Team at the same time.

Dinner and a Movie:  Don’t forget, the “Courage” movie, which will be shown at the Elk’s Lodge on Monday evening. There is no charge for this movie – a dramatic, true story about Prisoners of War in World War II and Vietnam.  I plan to be there, to show my support for this important part of the RFTW mission – “To call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA)”. If you plan to attend, be sure to arrive early at the Elks Lodge so you can have dinner before the movie, which begins at 1900 hours. Word is, the Elks are offering a steak dinner for $20.00….

Ontario Departure:  Finally, KSU in Ontario (for Central and Southern routes) is Wednesday, 17 May 2023, at 0710 hours. The Midway Route (MR), however, will be departing Ontario the day before, at 0800 hours, Tuesday, 16 May 2023. Senior leadership from the other two routes (CR and SR) are required to attend the departure of the MR, but all riders from CR and SR are also welcome to attend their departure. Riders who elect to attend the MR departure should arrive at Lot D early on Tuesday morning so they can be staged separate from MR riders.

IT’S MAY Y’ALL

See you in Ontario, California.
Paul “Brush” Marshall
CR RC RFTW XXXIII

RFTW XXXIII Is On! At the annual Run for the Wall (RFTW) face-to-face meeting, held at the end of February, the Board of Directors (BOD) voted unanimously to authorize the launch of RFTW XXXIII. Check your calendars – May 17, 2023 is coming up fast.

Exclusive Film Preview for RFTW XXXIII
Save the Date and Time
Monday, 15 May 2023, 1900 hours

We have a unique opportunity to see the movie “Courage”, a 1-hour movie about POWs in WWII and Vietnam – a movie which directly ties into an important part of the RFTW mission – “to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA)”.

I first saw a special showing of “Courage” months ago in San Diego, and found it to be quite moving – I think you will too…

The producer of “Courage”, William Lowe, is a graduate of the University of California Film School, and is retired from the film industry after more than 30 years in the business. Mr. Lowe is truly committed to supporting veterans, and the mission of RFTW. His own father was a WWII veteran who, only months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, had been a crewmember on the USS Arizona – perhaps more on that at the showing.

As a tribute to all veterans, Mr. Lowe is inviting RFTW participants to enjoy the movie free of charge. He will also be present at the showing to answer any questions you may have. For their part, the Elks Lodge is graciously providing their theater (the Teresa Seconne Room) at no cost to RFTW. The Elks are also offering an evening meal at a modest price, which will be served prior to the showing, in the grill area adjacent to the theater. Movie viewers are asked to refrain from bringing food into the theater, but drinks are permissible).

Unfortunately, there will only be 300 seats available in the theater, so you will want to get there early. In fact, all RFTW participants are encouraged to arrive in Ontario, CA early on Monday morning to give yourself plenty of time to check in and find your hotel rooms. That will also give you plenty of time to make your way to the Elks’ theater for dinner (1700-1900 hours), and the viewing of “Courage” at 1900 hours.

Planning update:  I can’t believe it’s March already – about 75 days from kickstands up (KSU). Already, CR has 373 riders and supporters registered for RFTW XXXIII. And, planning keeps rolling along. The Central Route (CR) held planning meetings in mid-February to update route details. In attendance were all state coordinators, and many in CR leadership positions, including the Road Guard Captain and Route Planner. CR changes known at that time were incorporated into the draft itinerary, which were then shared with the Board of Directors (BOD) just before the face-to-face meeting at the end of February.

CR also conducted a survey of riders, asking them to select their riding preference. This information will help us determine the proper number of platoons with either side-by-side or staggered formations. We will also do our best to accommodate those riders who expressed a desire to ride in a specific platoon. By the time you arrive in Ontario for check-in, it is quite likely you will already be assigned to a platoon. Please CLICK HERE to fill out the survey. If you do not fill out the survey, you may be assigned to a platoon based on the needs of the Route.

As mentioned in an earlier newsletter, after you complete the check-in process, a member of the registration team will direct you to a location where you will meet up with the CR “FNG Liaison”, Dave “Papa Smurf” Klemme. A Marine veteran and long-time RFTW participant, Dave has served as a Platoon Leader, Road Guard, Route Coordinator and BOD member. He is eager to assist new riders (FNGs) as they begin to acclimate to the Run. Dave will give you a brief introduction to RFTW, and explain your next steps, including the schedule of mandatory rider meetings, and the time and location of the “Courage” film. After meeting with Dave, FNGs will begin to have a better understanding of what to expect during the Run. 

Volunteers:  While most support teams are close to completing their rosters, there are still openings in teams such as medical, fueling, staging, chase drivers and hydration. Chase vehicle and hydration team volunteers must have a truck capable of towing a trailer. Those interested in volunteering for one of these positions are encouraged to complete the volunteer form Click Here as soon as possible. Volunteer forms will immediately be forwarded to the responsible team leaders. The BOD itself has also recently announced the recruitment of RFTW Merchandise Teams. These teams require a driver with a truck capable of towing the RFTW merchandise trailer. Riders interested in a merchandise volunteer position should contact BOD member Alan Steiner directly at 425-246-0437.

The Raffle-Rouser Team is also in need of a volunteer with a truck or van capable of hauling a large quantity of donated items. The raffle-rouser team, led by Lance Jones, plays a crucial role in supporting communities across the country that support CR. As we ride across the country, the team helps raise funds for the benefit of several schools we (CR) support. One of the main benefactors is the Rainelle Elementary School in West Virginia. When we visit Rainelle, which has supported CR and RFTW since its beginning in 1989, riders will understand why it is such a special stop.

The raffle-rouser team is requesting the assistance of riders and RFTW supporters, in gathering items for auction. Already this year, Lance has succeeded in getting some community artisans to make hundreds of blankets for schools CR supports. Other items being sought include those hand made by talented community artisans, such as knives, pens, plaques, quilts, afghans and others items suitable as RFTW memorabilia. Lance also encourages riders to solicit local businesses for items such as hats, t-shirts, swag or anything else they are willing to donate. And, because raffled items often must be shipped to winners, riders are asked to be mindful of the size and weight of donated items. If you can help the raffle-rouser team, with donations or as a driver, please call Lance Jones directly at 805-284-1750.

RFTW merchandise:  After a brief pause of RFTW merchandise operations, the online store is once again open for business. This is the place where you can purchase RFTW merchandise such as T-shirts, hats, patches and pins. It’s the same place that I and other CR leadership go to order what we want and need for the Run. It is important for everyone to remember that to receive your orders before you leave home for Ontario in May, you’ll want to place your orders soon – I have already done so. CLICK HERE TO SHOP NOW!

Finally, what have you been doing to prepare your motorcycle and yourselves for RFTW XXXIII? We suggest riders take their motorcycles in to check performance and safety items. Riders are encouraged to hit the gym, go walking or anything else you can do to prepare yourself physically. Having done these things, riders can raise their confidence in their preparation, and ability to successfully complete their RFTW mission.

The entire CR leadership team looks forward to meeting you all in Ontario. Keep up the good work, and stay healthy.

Paul “Brush” Marshall
CR RC RFTW XXXIII

As of February 1, 2023, a total of 932 patriots have registered for RFTW XXXIII, this includes 357 Central Route registrants. Online registration is still available  Register Here! , but at a slightly higher price ($60).  And, if you’ve not already done so, check out the hotel/camping list on the RFTW website CR Hotels and Camping and make your reservations as soon as possible. Also, go to the forums and see if you can assist anyone with a room Share. Forum/Roommates Wanted

In mid-January, we met with all platoon leaders to review their experiences during the last RFTW mission. These – your platoon leaders – are the people who you will rely upon for guidance during RFTW XXXIII – your year. These are also the people who have committed themselves to your safety, and to their responsibilities for mentoring and caring for you as new RFTW riders.

Because of their crucial role in guiding a large group of motorcycle riders across this country, it was important to hear their observations of the last Run, and recommendations for the next mission – your mission. And, while it is impossible to overstate the importance of these discussions, some points of special concern to new riders include:

• Riding preference: Riders will be receiving an email from CR leadership asking for your riding preference – side-by-side or staggered. This will help us accommodate rider preferences, and determine platoon compositions, before you even arrive in Ontario, CA. In addition, based on your contact information, platoon leaders may be contacting you soon and inviting you to a (Zoom) meeting, to introduce you to RFTW, and what you can expect on the ride across the country.
• Rider support:  CR has an especially competent and professional chaplaincy team, led by Duane Gryder. The team will accompany riders across the country. The chaplaincy team will deliver words of encouragement at rider meetings every morning, speak at all platoon briefings, and will make themselves available to all riders, individually, at any time, night, or day.

• Future leadership candidates: RFTW and CR are always looking for new riders who would like to be considered for a leadership position. Platoon leaders will ask riders to complete a platoon roster, which asks for rider contact information, and a rider’s desire to seek a leadership position for the next Run. It is from platoon rosters, along with platoon leadership observations, that selections for leadership positions for the next year will come.

As planning continues, CR leadership will hold its formal route planning meetings on February 14, 15 and 16. These meetings, involving virtually all CR leadership, will lead to the development of the official route itinerary for RFTW XXXIII. During these meetings, working our way from Ontario, CA to Washington, D.C., we’ll discuss in detail our route through several states. To make these meetings work, state coordinators have actually been planning since the end of RFTW XXXII. They have met with station managers for fuel, community leaders for lunches and dinners, memorial directors and law enforcement organizations for escorts, among other things.

It is truly amazing how much work our state coordinators can get done between Runs. You might think that a year is a lot of time, but consider the complications they are likely to encounter working with local government/law enforcement organizations, state government/law enforcement organizations, and even federal government organizations (e.g., Veterans Hospitals). So, as I suggested in the October 2022 newsletter, in Ontario, and while on the Run, please seek out these state coordinators – the folks with brown hats – and thank them for their hard work.

Finally with respect to route planning, all route coordinators (RCs) will meet with the BOD at the end of February. In addition to RCs briefing the BOD on the status of their respective routes, this is typically the meeting at which the BOD gives the official go-ahead for the RFTW mission and all routes. We will report back to CR riders in March 2023 regarding any changes to the route, as well as the BOD’s final decision.

It’s hard to believe we are only a little over 100 days before we launch RFTW XXXIII from Ontario, CA on 17 May 2023. So, get ready – prepare your motorcycle and ride it, prepare yourself physically and mentally, and stay healthy.

Paul “Brush” Marshall
CR RC RFTW XXXIII