Category: President Messages

Happy Easter! As I sit down to write this, we’re 44 days away from KSU. It’s getting closer… Can you feel it? If you sit back and close your eyes, can you hear it? Time seems to be moving faster, plans are being finalized, and hopefully, your hotel reservations are complete. Are you ready? Have you checked all your gear, updated your GMRS radio, and tested your headset? Is your bike ready – new tires, fresh oil, and all the nuts and bolts that tend to vibrate loose? Is your body prepared? Have you been exercising to handle longer riding days, weather changes, and altitude? Are you emotionally ready? Do you have a plan if your bike breaks down? Do you have clothing suitable for the weather you might face on your route? This is a mission, and for it to succeed, we all need to be prepared to do our part. Since before we finished the Run last year, our volunteer State Coordinators (SC) and others have been diligently working on the details for each route. It takes a coordinated effort of thousands to ensure the success of each route. I tip my hat to everyone who has worked so hard to prepare for Run 2026!

There are some updates to share. As you may have heard, RFTW and Am Vets have joined forces so that anyone registered as a rider for RFTW 2026 can receive priority staging for Rolling to Remember. Here are some important points to keep in mind: Rolling to Remember (RtR) is not an RFTW-sanctioned event. Participation is entirely voluntary. A group of riders familiar with DC traffic patterns will be traveling from the Springfield American Legion Post to the designated staging area for Rolling to Remember. Anyone who has previously taken part in this year’s Run for the Wall is welcome to ride with that group and stage in with the RFTW riders. RtR is separate from RFTW and should not be seen as an RFTW-sanctioned event. RFTW riders will need to display their ribbon on their left side, as always. It might also be helpful to keep your wristband on until after RtR, just in case. Am Vets requests that we arrive together, with no stragglers, please.

Staging for the RtR event will be at the AL post parking lot, starting at 0715 with a 0745 departure. Please do NOT enter the parking lot until SB has departed. We will likely divert ALL traffic from the AL parking lot after 0600 so SB can safely hold their mandatory all riders meeting. Important note for SB riders: you MUST be in place and attend the 0600 mandatory riders meeting.

Itineraries for both pre-Run Ontario events and Springfield and D.C. are now available on the RFTW website. Just navigate to your route and make the appropriate selection.

On Monday, May 11, from 0900-1100 and again from 1500-1700, Bernadette “Flat Tire” Staples and Lance “Batman” Wheeler, both certified instructors, will host a Riders Skills practice session at Lot D. We cannot accommodate everyone, but if you are an FNG or need to practice your slow riding skills—such as those needed when pulling into or leaving gas pumps, maneuvering around the staging area, hotel, and similar situations—please sign up by emailing risk.management@rftw.us. Space is limited, so I suggest signing up early.

As we move from planning and preparation to actually executing our Mission, our Platoon Leaders and Road Guards step up to meet their responsibilities on the Run. They work with a group of riders who may have never ridden together before, let alone in formation, and help turn the group into a cohesive team. You might also see the Platoon Leaders working closely with the Road Guards to guide you across this great nation safely. Like the morning meetings held by the RCs, the Platoon Leaders will also hold morning meetings, usually with a Road Guard present. These morning meetings are MANDATORY—you must attend to ride with the pack that day! If you’re not comfortable riding in a certain formation or if you’re unsure about doing so, talk to your Platoon Leader or Assistant Platoon Leader. They are there to help and guide you. The same applies if a PL or RG offers guidance or asks questions; they do so out of concern for your safety. The PLs and RGs are experienced riders and have your best interests at heart. Your safety and the safety of those around you depend on listening to their guidance.

As the RCs are preparing to select FNGs who will enter Arlington National Cemetery for the wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, there are some key rules we must follow. All riders approved to ride into ANC MUST enter and leave together—NO EXCEPTIONS. Please do not rap your pipes; doing so is disrespectful to other visitors and to those interred there. This is a place of peace, quiet, and reflection.  Please do NOT deviate from the scheduled event. Those chosen to ride into ANC cannot take time to visit other graves, go on tours, or do anything else. We are there for one purpose only—to lay a wreath and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. If you want to visit other graves or take a tour, please return to the visitor’s center AFTER you have left with the group.  Our standing with the ANC Operations group and our future entrance into ANC hinge on our respect for their rules.

Unfortunately, the Gulf War memorial will still be under construction when we arrive. That prevents us from holding a ceremony this year, but we’re closely monitoring the construction so that next year we may be able to pay homage at that memorial. Stay tuned over the coming year as more information becomes available.

We are still seeking a unique individual to join the Board as our new treasurer.  The announcement can be viewed here.  In the meantime, we are also seeking someone to serve as an assistant to our treasurer.  If you are interested, please send an email to treasurer@rftw.us with a brief outline of your knowledge and experience with standard electronic tools, such as spreadsheets. This could lead to a position on the Board if you are interested.

The route shirts fundraiser went very well. If you weren’t following the fundraiser, each route designed a shirt that represented its route, and each shirt sold raised a donation for that route. I don’t yet have the final numbers, but initial figures show that the Central Route sold 190 shirts, the Southern Route sold 113, the Midway Route sold 95, and the Sandbox Route sold 81. A $10 donation per shirt is added to each route’s account for use on that route. Angie announced the upcoming mailing dates, so keep an eye on your mailbox.

The RFTW Podcast with Boots and Hitch continues to highlight what makes RFTW a unique organization. I encourage you to take a listen. Each episode explores a distinct aspect of RFTW, featuring interviews with individuals who have contributed to its development.  Check it out!!

As you pass through the food line at your stops, remember that an entire group of people took time out of their lives to make sure you get sustenance. Look for a donation jar nearby and drop a few dollars in to help cover the cost of whatever service they are providing. Each route goes through towns where locals are often barely getting by, yet they still donate to our mission. Even if we find ourselves in the wealthiest town in America, show appreciation by saying “Thank you”, picking up your trash, and if you can, by making a donation. Your kindness makes a difference. And keep in mind, nothing is truly free. We often receive donated gas and food, but nothing comes without a cost, and somebody paid for it. Each of us is an ambassador for RFTW.

A few final points. RFTW does not endorse any political candidate, stance, or opinion. We are a veterans’ support charity, and we ask everyone to respect that. There is no place for politics during the Run; there will be time for that later. Lastly, our world is always changing. Events can attract people whose ideas and beliefs might not match ours. Stay alert, and if you see something wrong, speak up. Don’t just ignore it; inform a leader.

With that, I leave you with a few thoughts regarding why we ride.

“If you are able, save them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.

Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always.

Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.

And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.”

—- Major Michael Davis O’Donnell KIA 1 January 1970 Dak To, Vietnam

—- Michael Davis O’Donnell is on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Panel 12W, Line 040.

Okay, so Punxsutawney Phil and the other rodents couldn’t get their winter-versus-spring predictions aligned. Darn rodents, anyway. But do not despair. May is right around the corner, and each of us needs to be ready. This is just another friendly reminder to get yourself, your gear, and your bike ready. The BTech GMRS-Pro radio has a new firmware release, 0.9.2, released January 29, 2026. Now might be a good time to check your radios, headsets, PTT buttons, and the rest of your gear.

This year, we recognize the 35th anniversary of the start of the Gulf War. I remember where I was and how old I was that January night. While reviewing our most recent rider statistics, it was interesting to see the current average age of our 1991 Gulf War veterans. After some research, I was surprised to learn that the average age of our 1991 Gulf War veterans is currently 50-55. Most Gulf War-era veterans (specifically those serving in 1990-1991) were in their 20s or 30s during the conflict, placing them in the 45–54 or older age range today. When we consider those ages, it helps explain why we are struggling to attract those veterans. People in those age groups are generally in a “family and career-focused” stage of life, with a focus on work and family activities, rather than taking almost 3 weeks to participate in an event such as RFTW. That was one of the reasons we started the Day Rider program: so that people who don’t have time to go all the way can still participate. When we speak about RFTW, we need to remember that while it is a C2C and Wall2Wall mission, we also welcome Day Riders. All the Way is great, but our Mission is to be as encompassing as possible. The Day Rider program is a great way for a parent or grandparent to introduce youngsters to our organization and what patriotism really looks like.

In the November 2023 newsletter, we presented information on Navy Capt. Royce Williams, the Korean War hero who, in 1952, led his squadron on a mission resulting in 4 confirmed kills out of seven Soviet MIGs in an engagement that remained classified for decades. The Navy originally awarded him the Silver Star in 1953; on January 20th, 2023, it upgraded his Silver Star to the Navy Cross. As early as 2014, many senior leaders believed his actions warranted the MOH. In 2022, the MOH upgrade action received approval by the House through the Defense Authorization Act. The House then forwarded the approved amendment to the Senate. The good news is that the upgrade action was finally approved!!  Capt. Williams will be receiving the Medal of Honor!

On February 21st and 22nd, we held our winter “Face-to-Face” (F2F) via Zoom. These meetings are critical to planning and executing a successful Mission, as we ensure that all RFTW leadership is up to date on plans, changes, and new items, and we also share thoughts and ideas. While the Mission of RFTW has remained consistent and solid over the years, the organizational structure has remained quite dynamic. These changes are often driven by increased demands from our riders for improved and expanded automation and information-sharing technology, as well as changing societal expectations and contributions.  When one considers the reduction in volunteers, the struggles to secure donations, and the decline in riders, balanced against the need to conduct a safe, well-organized Mission, I strongly believe our leaders and volunteers deserve a big thank-you for all they accomplish.  I can report that our planning for RFTW 2026 is coming along quite nicely. We’ve even started discussing how to capitalize on some additional opportunities for 2027.  But first, we need to get through 2026!

Another discussion focused on how we can keep our costs down while still safely conducting the Mission. One example is the Glo-Gloves our Road Guards use. Each year, we purchase and issue dozens of these gloves, not always to First-Year Road Guards. Starting in 2027, Road Guards must turn in an old pair of Glo-Gloves to receive a new pair. We don’t buy these gloves so they can be worn all year long; they are specifically for use while on the Run. If properly cared for, these gloves can last 4 years or longer.

As I mentioned last month, our Day Rider program was suggested by one of our “elder statesmen” and has been well-received. During the recent F2F, we discussed opportunities to fine-tune the program. While those changes won’t happen this year, stay tuned as we work to implement some suggestions to improve the program next year. On a very positive note, one question we’ve received several times asks whether our RCs are prorating the mandatory fuel stickers for Day Riders. The answer is a resounding YES! Each C2C RC will prorate fuel sticker costs for Day Riders. Sandbox doesn’t offer Day Rider, as they are only on a 3-day mission, much like a Day Rider on a C2C route.

You may have heard that we will not be able to participate in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Washing this year.  We were essentially bumped in favor of a group from the Secretary of Defense’s office.  We do anticipate being able to participate in Wall washing in 2027.

Carol recently reported on motorcycle shops available in the Ontario area. Here is the list we currently have:

Did you know there is an organization in England like RFTW? Ride to the Wall (RTTW) is an annual UK motorcycle charity event held on the first Saturday of October, during which riders travel to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to honor over 16,000 fallen service members. It serves as a powerful, inclusive, and emotional act of remembrance, raising funds for the site’s upkeep. While RTTW.org and RFTW.us are different organizations, our missions are closely aligned. If you are interested, please visit the Ride To The Wall website. You can even register to receive their newsletter via email.

We often receive comments about the need to attract our younger veterans, often phrased somewhat differently, but that is the essence of the question.  The RFTW Podcast with Boots and Hitch continues to reach thousands of folks, and Boots and Hitch are looking to expand that reach. I don’t want to take away their thunder, but I anticipate them taking advantage of additional opportunities to “get the word out”.  Perhaps you’ve seen the latest ads on various social media platforms.  As Hitch begins to “dip her toe into those waters”, the number of those reached is promising. Look for more and even better ads.

Speaking of new things, have you seen the new route-specific shirts in the Merchandise Shop?  Designed by folks from each route, each shirt sale generates a donation to that route.  This is a great opportunity to support your route or to purchase one of the good-looking shirts from another route.  Angie has been working hard to make this a success.  These shirts are a one-time opportunity.  They will NOT be carried in the merchandise trailers; they can only be purchased through a pre-order process.  Don’t miss out on an opportunity to support your route!

If you haven’t yet heard, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) St. Paul Regional Office would like to extend an invitation to you and your colleagues to attend an informative presentation regarding VA benefits and services, to include a special briefing on allowances available to Former Prisoners of War (FPOW). This presentation will cover a range of topics related to VA benefits.

Thursday, March 5, 2026, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm CST

Microsoft TEAMS Meeting Link

As a final thought, I’d like to share some thoughts on a very special group of people who are at the core of our Mission Statement – the Next of Kin and Gold Star Families.  All of us, especially our Outreach and Ambassador teams, encounter many people who have lost family members in service to this great nation.  A core tenet of our Mission is to honor them, help them heal, and ensure they know that their loss and the sacrifice of their family members are not forgotten but instead remembered by a grateful nation.  We believe it is important to emphasize to our leadership and teams that we use deliberate language when describing a Next of Kin family or a Gold Star family.  RFTW uses the definitions for each as outlined in long-standing public law.

It was 4 degrees this morning, and I have been anxiously awaiting a favorable weather forecast. On Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, indicating six more weeks of winter. I never did like groundhogs…

As we inch closer to KSU, I know you hear us time and again reminding everyone to get in shape for the Run and to ensure their bike is ready for this Mission. Yes, we have Chase trailers on each route, but they are only there to help you reach the next forward dealership. They are not there to get you to D.C. or to the Wall, so it is incumbent on everyone to help ensure you and your bike are ready!  Riders are responsible for their motorcycle, much like they are responsible for their lodging expenses.  While we are exceptionally fortunate to receive donations and the support of many volunteers along the way, each individual is still responsible for their own travel.

There has been some discussion about why CR and SR are meeting at Marshall on the last day. As we experienced last year, the LEO escorts did a fantastic job clearing traffic for our ride into DC. Safe to say, at least for CR and SR, it was probably the best escort we’ve ever seen. For them to stop up to 6 lanes of traffic on Interstates so we could safely move through and merge across traffic was an incredible task. Following the Run, our D.C./Arlington coordinator, along with our RCs, met to discuss ways to make this part of the journey even safer. Our LEO escorts suggested we consider merging these two routes just before entering D.C., and Marshall was the natural place to do so. From Marshall into Springfield, we can maintain our Route identities and make our arrival into that wonderful Friday traffic even safer. Hats off to the planners.  Safety is always our top consideration, and we believe this adds another element to the safe completion of our Mission.

I’m sure you have seen in past messages that we are still searching for a new Treasurer.  Our difficulty in securing someone for this position reflects the challenges our RCs are also facing in securing qualified volunteers to assist on their Routes.  The Treasurer is a Board member and an officer of the corporation and is critical to the continued success of RFTW.  While we have looked at a couple of options, we constantly work to keep costs down.  If we must hire an accountant, or have someone act as a “bookkeeper” and then have our books audited regularly, along with completing our annual taxes and IRS Form 990, the costs could be considerable.  If you are interested in discussing this position, I encourage you to email the current Treasurer at Treasurer@rftw.us or me at president@rftw.us. Our current Treasurer’s term ends at the end of August, so we would like time to ensure a new person is thoroughly familiar with how the BoD works and how our finance and accounting procedures are structured.

In last month’s newsletter, we published a reminder about our Benevolence Program.    Back in October 2008, the BoD established a process “for the administration of gifts made by RFTW to selected charities whose mission and values are consistent with those of RFTW and to individuals in need whose personal actions reflect RFTW values”. As we have done in the past, once the “bills” are paid, we look towards helping other qualified charities and individuals who share our organizational values.  Recently, RFTW raised funds to support the Veterans Center in Kerrville, TX, which, in turn, was assisting veterans and their families affected by the floods.  Additionally, each year we ask RCs to submit the name and contact information of an FNG who may be eligible for a small monetary award to help cover the cost of participating in the Run.  The eligibility requirements for a registered individual are:

• Should be an FNG. For individuals seeking monetary awards to offset the cost of participating in the annual Mission, the committee will give preference to first-time riders/participants.
• Should be a current serving or recently separated from service.
• Award money shall be used to defer costs for participation in the Run.
• The amount to be awarded will be calculated on a daily rate, based on the number of days on the Mission.
• Daily amounts will be determined each year by the Board of Directors.

Names must be submitted to the RCs, and the names are then sent to the BoD with the RCs’ concurrence before the annual February Face-to-Face.  This means the RCs will need to have names and nominations ASAP since the February Face-to-Face is less than three weeks away.  If you know of a deserving individual, please ensure they are comfortable with submitting their name and circumstances, and then move the nomination to the appropriate RC.  Nominations do not need to be extensive; name, contact information, intended route, and a brief paragraph describing the circumstances of the need. Time is rapidly running out to get a nominee into the RC!!

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who participated in our See’s Candy Fundraiser.  We were able to raise just over $100 this year.  Every little bit helps, and we sincerely appreciate your support!!

As previously announced, our registration fees increased on February 1. If you have not yet registered, please do so soon. By registering before Ontario, you contribute to the planning process our State Coordinators (SCs) and RCs go through. Our SCs are still out there working with local communities to secure food and fuel donations, and our RCs are working to align platoon numbers. As of last week, our registered riders were down 14% from last year. This will likely result in fewer platoons on each Route. Interestingly, the 65-69 age group remains our largest group of participants, and the 60-65 year age group is our largest group of FNGs. We’ve had several discussions about how to attract more younger riders. Our RFTW Podcast with Boots and Hitch reaches an ever-increasing number of interested folks, and we’ve had many RFTW riders reach out to members of CVMA, VFW, AmVets, and the American Legion. We are confident we understand why younger riders are not riding, but we need your help to continue spreading the word. Our Day Rider program, suggested by one of our elder statesmen, continues to offer a viable alternative for someone who wants to ride for only 3 days or less on the road. Registration for a Coast-to-Coast route is now $120 per person; SandBox is $60 per person, and the Day Rider rate is $100 for C2C routes. For more details on Day Rider Registration, see the recently published Registration Newsletter here.

Speaking of our podcasts, the RFTW Podcast with Boots and Hitch: if you have a podcast idea, please email pod@rftw.us.  Boots and Hitch both welcome your ideas!!

As expected, spam and phishing emails continue.  I hope no one has fallen victim to these traps. Please keep a few things in mind: A leader in RFTW will NEVER ask you to buy gift cards for them. We don’t do business that way. Every invoice is processed through our Treasurer. Bob doesn’t handle gift cards. More importantly, check the sender’s email address. We conduct business correspondence ONLY using our official RFTW email. You can help reduce this spam. If you get a suspicious email, especially if it’s not from our official addresses, you should be able to report it as spam or phishing through your email system. We encourage you to do so. Also, as I often do, my preferred email reader lets me mark emails as junk, and if I get another from the same address, it goes directly to trash. Another issue not related to email: protect your online identity by ensuring your user ID is unique and that you’re not using the same password across multiple sites. Using your firstname/lastname as a user ID might be convenient, but that’s the first step someone takes to hack your account. Even using lastname/first initial—or some variation—is not enough to keep you safe.

As a final thought, as you prepare for the upcoming Mission, please consider shopping at the RFTW Shop and take a look at what our sponsors have to offer.  Amsoil, Nelson-Rigg Gear, and Klim Riding Gear all offer substantial discounts in support of RFTW and our riders.

POW/MIA Recovery Update (as of 1 February 2026): The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) continues its dedicated efforts to recover and identify remains from all conflicts.  As of this update, there are still 1566 unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, along with six missing from the Gulf War and Libya. Our four-part Mission begins with the call for accounting – those servicemembers are our friends, their families are our families, and they deserve our support.

Let us dedicate ourselves and our efforts and remember to keep our focus on the Mission. It is why we ride!

It is not the worst thing to die in war; it is not the worst thing to be missing in war. The worst thing is to be forgotten in War.

‘No one left behind’ is more than just a standard we strive to meet. It is a way of life. It is part of our Mission. If you or someone you know finds themselves struggling with mental health, please know you can contact the VA Veteran’s Crisis Line by dialing 988, then pressing 1, or texting 838255 to speak or chat with a qualified responder.

As we enter a new year, it is our sincere hope that 2026 be our best year yet! Good things are always out there waiting for us to take advantage of the opportunity, and 2026 promises to be a year of opportunities!

As the winter months spread across our great nation, I want to take a moment to emphasize preparing both yourself and your motorcycle for the upcoming Run.  Both your body and bike need to be in top notch condition so you can safely participate in helping accomplish our Mission.

Speaking of opportunities, I want to remind everyone about our Benevolence Program.  Back in October 2008, the BoD established a process “for the administration of gifts made by RFTW to selected charities whose mission and values are consistent with those of RFTW and to individuals in need whose personal actions reflect RFTW values”. As we have done in the past, once the “bills” are paid, we look towards helping other qualified charities and individuals who share our organizational values.  Recently, RFTW raised funds to help the Veterans Center in Kerrville, TX, who in turn were assisting veterans and their families affected by the floods.  Additionally, each year, we ask RCs to submit the name and contact information of an FNG who may be eligible for a small monetary award to offset the cost participating in the Run.  The eligibility requirements for a registered individual are:

• Should be an FNG. For individuals seeking monetary awards to offset the cost of participating in the annual Mission, the committee will give preference to first-time riders/participants.
• Should be a current serviceman or recently separated from service.
• Award money shall be used to defer costs for participation on the Run.
• The amount to be awarded will be calculated on a daily rate, based on the number of days on the Mission.
• Daily amounts will be determined each year by the Board of Directors.

Names must be submitted to the RCs, and the names are then sent to the BoD with the RCs concurrence before the annual February Face-to-Face.  This means that the RCs will need to have names and nominations no later than 31 January, so they in turn can get them to the Board well prior to February’s Face-to-Face.  If you know of a deserving individual, please ensure they are okay with submitting their name and circumstances, and move the nomination to the respective RC.  Nominations do not need to be extensive; name, contact information, intended route, and a brief paragraph describing the circumstances of the need.

While things are a bit slower, an update was just released for the BTECH GMRS radio’s firmware.  Updating the firmware is a straightforward procedure using the radio and the mobile app.  No technical expertise is required.  While you are at it, it might also be a good idea to check for updates on your wireless headset if you use one.

In cooperation with See Candies, the BoD is running its annual fundraiser.  From now until 31 January, you can order candy from our website and have it delivered.  At the end of the fundraiser, See’s will send a check to RFTW for any profits earned.  While we don’t make a lot of money from this event, your support helps us fund things like the Benevolence Program and other mission-focused priorities.

I don’t know if you noticed, but Ted “Boots” Kapner and his team completed an extensive upgrade to the web server infrastructure that runs our website.  This upgrade provides us with more site speed and security and improves our available bandwidth.

The RFTW forums have been quiet; it seems folks wait until we are closer to the Run to start asking questions and sharing information.  But regardless of the time of year, there is a lot of great information in the various forum topic areas. As you begin your Run preparations, check out the forums for thoughts and ideas from your fellow riders!

As we’ve recently publicized, we are still looking for a new Treasurer.  Our financial records are essential for our charitable ratings and IRS status. Although we don’t aim to make a profit (since we are nonprofit), we are required to file taxes and an annual Form 990, so keeping accurate financial records is crucial to our continued success and survival. Bob Nelson, our current Treasurer, has worked hard to continue to improve our bookkeeping processes. If you’re interested in the position or in becoming an Assistant, please get in touch with Bob at treasurer@rftw.us.

As a final thought, as you begin preparing for the upcoming Mission, please consider shopping at the RFTW Shop, and also please take a look at what our sponsors have to offer.  Amsoil, Nelson-Rigg Gear, and Klim Riding Gear all offer substantial discounts in support of RFTW and our riders.

If you have not yet registered, please do so soon, either on our website or on your mobile device. On the 1^st of February, our registration rates go up.  Current registration costs are:

C2C

• $100 – Early Bird
• $120 – Regular Reg (starting Feb 1)
• $100 – Day riders (up to 3 days on the road riding)

W2W

• $40 – Early Bird
• $60 – Regular Reg (starting Feb 1)
• Day riders pay regular rates

POW/MIA Recovery Update (as of 30 December 2025): The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) continues its dedicated efforts to recover and identify remains from all conflicts.  As of this update, there are still 1566 unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, along with six missing from the Gulf War and Libya. Our four-part Mission begins with the call for accounting – those servicemembers are our friends, their families are our families, and they deserve our support.

Let us dedicate ourselves and our efforts and remember to keep our focus on the Mission. It is why we ride!

It is not the worst thing to die in war; it is not the worst thing to be missing in war. The worst thing is to be forgotten in War.

‘No one left behind’ is more than just a standard we strive to meet. It is a way of life. It is part of our Mission. If you or someone you know finds themselves struggling with mental health, please know you can contact the VA Veteran’s Crisis Line by dialing 988, then pressing 1, or texting 838255 to speak or chat with a qualified responder.

Say Their Names – Tell Their Stories – Never Forget.

Back to Basics. Back to the RFTW Mission.

Is it May yet?

See you in Ontario!!!!

It is so quiet as I sit here watching the snowfall. Sometimes, this is one of my favorite times of year. Nature is sleeping, recovering from a season of harvest, providing us with sustenance and beauty. As the snow falls, the silence is so profound. Not a bird or animal is moving. For a moment, everything is at peace. But darn, it is cold!!

This can be a busy time of year for many, decorating the house and yard, visiting relatives, and maybe hosting friends and family. Thinking of those who are no longer with us, remembering the times we shared. While I don’t want to add to the list, this is a great time to start preparing for the upcoming Run. KSU is in 161 days – less than 6 months. If you listen to The RFTW Podcast with Boots and Hitch, Ted offers tech tips in each episode, focusing on keeping us safe and making sure our bikes and bodies are ready for a cross-country event. Riding on the Run is similar to any trip in that each rider is responsible for their motorcycle’s mechanical condition and the health of their bodies and minds. We should be working on both our bikes and ourselves so we can perform our annual Mission safely when the time comes. Yes, we have chase trailers, but they are meant to help ensure a rider can reach the next dealer. The chase trucks are not there to transport you to DC or back home. Tires, cables, lights, oil, forks, and loose bolts or nuts should all be carefully reviewed to help ensure your bike is ready.  Waiting until you arrive in Ontario is probably not a good option.  While the dealers in the Ontario area are very helpful, there is only so much they can do in the short time we are there.

The RFTW forums have been quiet; it seems folks wait until we are closer to the Run to start asking questions and sharing information.  But regardless of the time of year, there is a lot of great information in the various forum topic areas. As you begin your Run preparations, check out the forums for thoughts and ideas from your fellow riders!

Another item added to the website is our Events calendar.  Looking for something close to you? Check it out here!

As I hope all campers have heard, camping at the Elks in Ontario is full.  Registration for Run 2026 is open.  The rates were adjusted for 2026 as follows:

C2C

1. $100 – Early Bird
2. $120 – Regular Reg (starting Feb 1)
3. $100 – Day riders (up to 3 days on the road riding)

W2W

1. $40 – Early Bird
2. $60 – Regular Reg (starting Feb 1)
3. Day riders pay regular rates

Besides saving you money, registering early is very helpful to our State Coordinators. Those dedicated volunteers who work so hard to feed and house us need as much advance notice as possible about the number of riders coming. You can register on our website just as you have in the past.  On 1 February, the registration rates increase, so registering early is one way you can help us and help yourself.

As of this newsletter, the hotel list is still scheduled to drop on 1 January.

I hope no one has fallen victim to spam that frequents our email system. Please keep a few things in mind: A leader in RFTW will NEVER ask you to buy gift cards for them. We don’t do business that way. Every invoice is processed through our Treasurer. Bob doesn’t handle gift cards. More importantly, check the sender’s email address. We ONLY conduct business using our official RFTW email. You can help reduce this spam. If you get a suspicious email, especially if it’s not from our official addresses, you should be able to report it as spam or phishing through your email system. We encourage you to do so. Also, as I often do, my preferred email reader lets me mark emails as junk, and if I get another from the same address, it goes directly to trash. Another issue not related to email: protect your online identity by ensuring your user ID is unique and that you’re not using the same password across multiple sites. Using your firstname/lastname as a user ID might be convenient, but that’s the first step someone takes to hack your account. Even using lastname/first initial—or some variation—is not enough to keep you safe.

As we’ve recently publicized, we are still looking for a new Treasurer.  Our financial records are essential for our charitable ratings and IRS status. Although we don’t aim to make a profit (since we are a nonprofit), we are required to file taxes and an annual Form 990, so keeping accurate financial records is crucial to our continued success and survival. Bob Nelson, our current Treasurer, has worked hard to continue to improve our bookkeeping processes. If you’re interested in the position or in becoming an Assistant, please get in touch with Bob at treasurer@rftw.us.

POW/MIA Recovery Update (as of 2 December 2025): The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) continues its dedicated efforts to recover and identify remains from all conflicts.  As of this update, there are still 1566 missing from the Vietnam War, along with six missing from the Gulf War and Libya. Our four-part Mission begins with the call for accounting – those servicemembers are our friends, their families are our families, and they deserve our support.

Let us dedicate ourselves and our efforts and remember to keep our focus on the Mission. It is why we ride!

Staying focused on our Mission can be challenging at times. We frequently receive suggestions to take a stand on issues that might be considered political, but our 501(c)(3) status prohibits us from endorsing any particular political position. We work hard to remain centered on the content of our Mission Statement. Although some have tried to convince us that calling for accountability for all POW/MIAs is a political statement, it is not. There are no politics involved in demanding that our government honor the sacrifice of those who are unaccounted for; it isn’t a political matter. Believe me, the Board has discussed issues that could be beneficial, but we cannot pursue them without losing sight of our Mission.

As I wrap up this newsletter, we wish everyone a peaceful and joyful holiday season. RFTW is a brotherhood, a family, and we should keep that in mind. Regardless of individual beliefs, each of you is important to all of us…We care!

It is not the worst thing to die in war; it is not the worst thing to be missing in war. The worst thing is to be forgotten in War.

‘No one left behind’ is more than just a standard we strive to meet. It is a way of life. It is part of our Mission. If you or someone you know finds themselves struggling with mental health, please know you can contact the VA Veteran’s Crisis Line by dialing 988, then pressing 1, or texting 838255 to speak or chat with a qualified responder.

The weather has noticeably shifted toward fall in south-central PA. Many bird species, including my favorite, the hummingbirds, have headed for warmer areas. The leaves have started to fall, a clear sign that cooler weather is approaching. Sadly, this year, the trees lack vibrant colors as they change, but riding through the mountains remains enjoyable. With only 209 days until KSU, we stay busy preparing for RFTW 2026. Several projects are underway that we hope will make 2026 a fantastic year! This may also be a good time to give your motorcycle a thorough check and schedule any necessary maintenance or repairs. And speaking of maintenance and repairs, if you aren’t already taking care of your body, the winter months might be a good time to start. We all know that a fit mind and body will help you on the Run.

Above all else, we need to keep our “eyes on the ball”.

As I’m sure you have heard, Michael “Wizard” Turner, a longtime Southern Route rider and board member, recently passed away. I ask you to keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

M25 and RFTW Wall partnered for a one-of-a-kind Motorcycle Giveaway to honor the 250th anniversary of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.

To celebrate this historic milestone, we are giving away a custom-painted Indian Motorcycle to a military veteran who has served our great nation with honor and courage.

This collaboration brings together two veteran-focused organizations with a shared mission:

• Mission M25: Serving as chaplains, hydration teams, and support riders during the annual Run For The Wall ride for over 20 years.
• Run For The Wall: A cross-country motorcycle ride that promotes healing, honors POW/MIA and KIA veterans, and raises awareness for those who served.

????️ This giveaway is a tribute to the brave men and women who have defended our freedoms for 250 years.

The rules for this giveaway are:

• You must be a United States Veteran, and you must have registered and completed at least one leg of Run For The Wall in the past.
• You must be located in the lower 48 states for Mission M25 to deliver it to you.
• You can register once a day up until midnight on November 10th.

The winner will be announced on Veterans Day 2025. Mission M25’s goal is to deliver the bike to the winner in person in a timely manner after the winner is announced. The M25 point of contact for questions is Dustin “Leatherneck” Taylor – write him at leatherneckdwt@gmail.com.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

As occasionally happens, there has been a realignment among the Board of Directors. Alan “Xbox” Steiner is transitioning into the Operations role, and Angie “Den Mother” Holterman is now serving on the Board as the Director of Merchandise. Keep an eye out for upcoming announcements, as Angie might be looking for a merchandise assistant soon.

Once again, fundraising activities have started. Fundraising has specific rules, so you should discuss it with your Route Coordinator (RC) before beginning or announcing any fundraising efforts. There are guidelines for both fundraising and the use of RFTW’s Intellectual Property (IP). Make sure to review these with your RC and follow the official procedures. Some options require time for review and approval, so plan ahead. For example, a fundraiser request, including a draft design, must go through the RC, then to the Director of Merchandise, and finally to the Treasurer for approval. If you’re using RFTW IP, it also needs approval from the President. We aren’t trying to restrict fundraising activities for the routes, but we must prevent unapproved use of our intellectual property. Route fundraisers that compete with RFTW merchandise sales would be like “cutting off your nose to spite your face.”

We are still looking for a new Treasurer, but no one has volunteered yet. Our financial records are essential for our charitable ratings and IRS status. Although we don’t aim to make a profit (since we are a nonprofit), we are required to file taxes and an annual Form 990, so keeping accurate financial records is crucial to our continued success and survival. Bob Nelson, our current Treasurer, has worked hard to continue to improve our bookkeeping processes. If you’re interested in the position, please get in touch with Bob at treasurer@rftw.us.

Camping in Ontario requires prior approval and reservations. To be clear, there is no camping at the Elks without prior clearance. Camping arrangements is one of the many things that Carol is working on, so please wait for further information. As expected, traveling and camping are similar to staying at a hotel; prior reservations are almost always required. More details will follow, so please be patient as this develops.

Registration for Run 2026 is open.  The rates were adjusted for 2026 as follows:

• C2C
  1. $100 – Early Bird
  2. $120 – Regular Reg (starting Feb 1)
  3. $100 – Day riders (up to 3 days on the road riding)

• W2W
  1. $40 – Early Bird
  2. $60 – Regular Reg (starting Feb 1)
  3. Day riders pay regular rates

Besides saving you money, registering early is very helpful to our State Coordinators. Those dedicated volunteers who work so hard to feed and house us need as much advance notice as possible about the number of riders coming. You can register on our website just as you have in the past.

The RFTW Podcast with Boots and Hitch continues to highlight what makes RFTW a unique organization. I encourage you to take a listen. Each episode explores a distinct aspect of RFTW, featuring interviews with various individuals who have contributed to the development of RFTW.  If you have ideas for a podcast, please email the team at pod@rftw.us.  Check it out!!

Some final thoughts:

It is not the worst thing to die in war; it is not the worst thing to be missing in war. The worst thing is to be forgotten in War.

‘No one left behind’ is more than just a standard we strive to meet. It is a way of life. It is part of our Mission. If you or someone you know finds themselves struggling with mental health, please know you can contact the VA Veteran’s Crisis Line by dialing 988, then pressing 1, or texting 838255 to speak or chat with a qualified responder.

POW/MIA Recovery Update (as of 10 October 2025): The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) continues its dedicated efforts to recover and identify remains from all conflicts.  Since the first of January 2025, DPAA has accounted for 160 of our fallen lost in conflicts. 109 from WWII, 44 from the Korean War, and 7 from the Vietnam War – that leaves 1566 still missing in Vietnam, most of whom still have families looking for answers. DPAA lists 126 missing from the Cold War and six still missing in the Gulf War and Libya. Our four-part Mission begins with the call for accounting – those families are our families, and they deserve our support.

Let us dedicate ourselves and our efforts and remember to keep our focus on the Mission. It is why we ride!

Say Their Names – Tell Their Stories – Never Forget.
Back to Basics. Back to the RFTW Mission.
Is it May yet?
See you in Ontario!!!!

And just like that, we are into late summer and closing in on fall, 252 days until KSU.  While there are still significantly high temperatures in some places in the country, here in South Central PA, the mornings are cooling off, and the daytime temperatures are quite pleasant.  Friends and families are still recovering from some of the devastating weather events of the year.  We need to keep them all in our thoughts and prayers.

Our Route Coordinators (RCs) are deeply involved in planning RFTW 2026. As you may know, this year also marks the 35th Anniversary of the start of Desert Shield/Storm. We are honoring that milestone with this year’s Run, and our merchandise director will soon announce a special anniversary pin, coin, and other items. Registration opens on Sept. 11th at 0846 Eastern time, just like in previous years. You can register on our website just as you have in the past.  We encourage you to register early and take advantage of our reduced, “early bird” rate.  Registration rates are:

Coast to Coast Routes

1. $100 early bird
2. $120 regular reg (starting Feb 1)
3. Day riders (up to 3 days on the road riding): $100

Sandbox Route

1. $40 early bird
2. $60 (regular reg) starting Feb 1
3. Day riders pay regular rates

After several discussions with our insurance broker, our Director of Risk Management advised the Board to create detailed guidelines on leadership processes, actions, and development. This includes expected behavior standards for our leaders, as well as advice on mentoring future leaders, among other topics. The leadership guide is now available for our RCs and ARCs to help us all work consistently toward creating a safe, positive environment for everyone.

We also officially documented our riding interval. For years, we’ve discussed our expected interval as “up to two seconds,” “one to two seconds,” etc., but now, through our SOPs, the Board has specified that our interval should be two seconds. Even when riding in a staggered formation, you will be expected to maintain a two-second interval from the bike in front of you. Additionally, the SOPs include a maximum highway pack speed. For well over two years, the SOPs have stated that the pack will not exceed the posted speed limit or 70 mph, whichever is less. We have challenged our RCs to ensure they give adequate time for all riders to join the pack, and to ensure that this maximum speed is not exceeded.

We also eliminated all references to having or needing CB radios. GMRS radios are now the standard for communication among leaders. However, remember that while you can listen in on the directions on GMRS, silence is golden. There’s no need to do radio checks each time you prepare to leave a stop location or to make humorous comments on the channel. These unnecessary communications are disruptive to departure coordination and clog the channel, preventing critical messages from getting through. When someone is using the channel unnecessarily, another person might be trying to communicate a safety issue. With GMRS’s increased transmission capability, there’s no need to relay RC instructions from platoon to platoon. Hand signals remain the primary way to communicate within the platoons, ensuring all riders receive critical info and instructions. Bottom line: Stay off the radio.

We also designated the FNG Coordinator as a mandatory position, including detailed duties, responsibilities, and qualifications for that role. A key requirement is that the individual in this position cannot be assigned other duties, such as being a Platoon Leader or Tail Gunner. Their sole focus must be on ensuring our FNGs are well taken care of, understanding our Mission, and knowing who they can contact for support and information. The FNG AARs from Run 2025 highlighted both the positive and less effective actions related to this role. We aim to build on the positive.

As you know, if your bike breaks down and needs serious repairs, chances are your Run is over. Our philosophy of never leaving a rider behind means we won’t leave you stranded without support. Still, if you or your bike is incapacitated, our Chase Teams will ensure you are transported to the next (forward) motorcycle dealer of that brand, if available, or to a safe spot, with access to the assistance you require. We can’t transport disabled bikes or injured riders all the way because the trailer space will be needed to support future breakdowns. Remember that riders are responsible for ensuring their bikes are properly secured on the chase trailer. Although the chase trucks carry basic tie-down equipment, you should carry any specialty straps that might be necessary for your bike.

Please remember that RFTW is a non-political organization, and as such, political discussions are not allowed and will not be tolerated. These discussions can easily turn into arguments that hinder the Mission and create a hostile environment not conducive to RFTW’s healing efforts. Please keep your political opinions to yourself while we are on the Mission and avoid wearing inflammatory and divisive slogans. We are focused on the Mission, not politics.

While the Angel Fire Reunion is past, Phillip “Juice” Tutton, the honcho for this year’s Texas Riders’ Reunion, is still taking registrations.  Remember that the registration fee is $40 until 15 September 2025.  After that date, the cost will be $50.  If you wish to pay cash, send in your registration, and you’ll be able to settle up when you register at the YO.  Registration for the Texas Rider’s Reunion is through a PDF form that is available HERE.  There’s no website for this gathering, so registering this way is best and works well.

The RFTW Podcast with Boots and Hitch continues to highlight what makes RFTW a unique organization. I encourage you to take a listen. Each episode explores a distinct aspect of RFTW, featuring interviews with various individuals who have contributed to the development of RFTW.  Check it out!!

Some final thoughts:

It is not the worst thing to die in war; it is not the worst thing to be missing in war. The worst thing is to be forgotten in War.

‘No one left behind’ is more than just a standard we strive to meet. It is a way of life. It is part of our Mission. If you or someone you know finds themselves struggling with mental health, please know you can contact the VA Veteran’s Crisis Line by dialing 988, then pressing 1, or texting 838255 to speak or chat with a qualified responder.

POW/MIA Recovery Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) continues its dedicated efforts to recover and identify remains from all conflicts.  Since the beginning of this Fiscal Year in September, they have accounted for 58 individuals lost in conflicts since World War II, with 43 identified from that war.  In addition, there were 13 accounted for from the Korean War and two from the Vietnam War – that leaves 1573 still missing in Vietnam, most of whom still have families looking for answers. Our four-part Mission begins with the call for accounting – those families are our families, and they deserve our support.

Let us dedicate ourselves and our efforts and remember to keep our focus on the Mission. It is why we ride!

Say Their Names – Tell Their Stories – Never Forget.

Back to Basics. Back to the RFTW Mission.

Is it May yet?

See you in Ontario!!!!

As I sit down to write this, we are 292 days away from KSU.

RFTW remains an ongoing planning process, and the Board must continually look strategically across the organization while our RCs and ARCs focus on operational planning for the upcoming Mission. Our focus remains on our Mission, as outlined in our Mission Statement.

RFTW Mission Statement

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.

Our Mission does not end with Mission Accomplished at both DC and Marseilles.  Our veterans, families, and friends may need our love and support throughout the year.  Before we go too far into this newsletter, if you haven’t yet had a chance to donate to our Texas Flood Victim fund, please click here for more information on what this is and how you can help.  This effort will remain open through 31 July.  We will then stop our fundraiser so we can transfer the funds to those in need.  Our thoughts and prayers continue for those not only in Texas, but also those still affected on the East Coast (think Asheville, NC) and the California wildfires.

We recently returned from our annual Face-to-Face meetings. There was a lot on the agenda, and I’ll cover the main points.

• RFTW has traditionally been a 10-day Coast to Coast (C2C) and a 3-day Wall to Wall (W2W) mission; all C2C routes are returning to 10-day schedules. With careful planning, this should not affect Midway’s ability to support its charities. Our original plan was to try an 11-day mission to see if and how it might impact our support and infrastructure. Only one route expressed interest in an 11-day run, while the other two strongly opposed changing to the 11-day format. Having routes depart on different days caused difficulties for those supporting us in Ontario, and it also divided our efforts to build strong relationships and camaraderie among the routes. It also puts pressure on our supporters, especially the LEO efforts, to ensure safe and smooth departures. It strains the organizations that provide essential support and services for our departures.
• We also updated our general qualifications for leadership roles and RC qualifications, emphasizing the role of the Platoon Coordinator to improve the RC’s span of control and responsibility.
• Next, we imposed restrictions on support vehicles traveling with our teams due to critical safety concerns. Support vehicles for teams can no longer travel within 1/4 mile of a team. We received too many reports of support vehicles “riding in formation” with a team. We intentionally limit the proximity of support vehicles to the pack to ensure team safety.
• Finally, we also replaced all references to CB radios and completed the switch to GMRS radios.

Your AARs provided us with numerous discussion topics, particularly regarding leadership. As a result, we are creating a Leadership Guide that will set the minimum expectations and qualifications for our leaders. We expect to have the guide ready soon. Similarly, we are working on an FNG Coordinator guide. We listened to our FNGs, and we need to ensure we create a welcoming environment across all routes, so they have a positive experience.

We received an astonishing 29% response to our survey.  We extend our thanks to all the 2025 participants for taking the time to answer our questions. The following is an overview of the responses:

There is work yet to be done based on the survey results.  We will be releasing more information as this work progresses.

One of the most challenging topics was our registration fees. We are facing another likely 25-40% increase in insurance this year, and we simply cannot absorb these increases and other costs. We established the registration fee schedule for RFTW 2026 as:

Coast to coast routes

• $100 early bird
• $120 regular reg (starting Feb 1)
• Day riders (up to 3 days on the road riding): $100

Sandbox Route

• $40 early bird
• $60 (regular reg) starting Feb 1
• Day riders pay regular rates

Another challenge is replacing our Treasurer; no one has stepped up to volunteer. As a result, we will probably have to hire a bookkeeping firm. Our financials are vital to our IRS status and our charitable ratings. While we aren’t aiming to make a profit (since we are a nonprofit organization). However, we are required to file taxes and an annual Form 990, so maintaining financial integrity is essential.

We also had a detailed discussion about Sandbox leaving on Monday instead of Sunday. While the Sunday departure presents its own set of challenges, a Monday departure is even more difficult. The safety issues involved in traveling through Columbus, OH, and Indianapolis, IN, with limited law enforcement support, coupled with the heavy truck traffic in Indianapolis, led the Board to decide to stick with the Sunday departure.  We don’t believe we can safely execute the Sandbox mission through these two locations on a normal weekday.

The RFTW Podcast with Boots and Hitch continues to highlight what makes RFTW a unique organization. I encourage you to take a listen. Each episode explores a distinct aspect of RFTW, featuring interviews with various individuals who have contributed to the development of RFTW.  Check it out!!

With that, I leave you with a few thoughts regarding why we ride.

“If you are able, save them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.

Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always.

Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.

And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.”

—- Major Michael Davis O’Donnell 1 January 1970 Dak To, Vietnam

—-Michael Davis O’Donnell is on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Panel 12W, Line 040.

It is not the worst thing to die in war; it is not the worst thing to be missing in war. The worst thing is to be forgotten in War.

‘No one left behind’ is more than just a standard we strive to meet. It is a way of life. It is part of our Mission. If you or someone you know finds themselves struggling with mental health, please know you can contact the VA Veteran’s Crisis Line by dialing 988, then pressing 1, or texting 838255 to speak or chat with a qualified responder.

POW/MIA Recovery Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) continues its dedicated efforts to recover and identify remains from all conflicts.  Since the beginning of this Fiscal Year in September, they have accounted for 58 individuals lost in conflicts since World War II, with 43 identified from that war.  In addition, there were 13 accounted for from the Korean War and two from the Vietnam War – that leaves 1573 still missing in Vietnam, most of whom still have families looking for answers. Our four-part Mission begins with the call for accounting – those families are our families, and they deserve our support.

Let us dedicate ourselves and our efforts and remember to keep our focus on the Mission. It is why we ride!

Say Their Names – Tell Their Stories – Never Forget.

Back to Basics. Back to the RFTW Mission.

Is it May yet?

See you in Ontario!!!!