President Messages Archives - Page 2 of 12

Posted on February 5, 2024 by John "Turkey" Staub — Leave a comment

President’s Message – February 2024

Well, it is February 4^th as I sit down to write this; 100 days from KSU. Punxsutawney Phil came out two days ago and predicted an early Spring. It has not been a particularly tough winter here, a couple of weeks of below freezing temperatures, but then right back up into the middle 40’s. I just got my bike out of the shop with new tires and a going over in preparation for May. The bike is ready, and I continue my exercise routine to try and coax this tired old body into another year. I will be ready come time to head towards Ontario. Are you too prepping for May? It is not too late to start!! Maybe get your checklist out and start going over your preparations. May will be here before we know it!!

On the good news front, I am sure you have read of our very own James “Gunny” Gregory’s induction into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame this coming year. During the 3^rd week of February, there will be a massive press release to over 300 radio, TV and motorcycle industry magazines announcing the 7 August induction. General admission tickets are $55 and will go on sale 1 March. More to follow as it develops. If you are thinking of attending, as with the Run, you might want to make your hotel reservations early. Sturgis gets pretty busy that time of year.

One of the challenges of the BoD is ensuring a consistent funding stream to pay all the expenses that come with this type of organization. Registration fees help as do donations, but honestly, we cover most of our expenses through merchandise sales. This year, we need your help. If you are riding ATW and are interested in how you can help, our Director of Merchandise is looking for two couples that will be going ATW and are willing to work selling RFTW merchandise for both Central and Midway. We are not looking for someone to tow the trailers; just to sell our merchandise at the various stops. If you might be interested in assisting in this capacity, please send an email to merchandise@rftw.us. Alan will be able to fill you in on the details. There may even be an incentive or two available.

On 3 February, I was able to virtually attend the Celebration of Life for RFTW long-time rider Karoni Forrester’s father, USMC Capt. Ronald Wayne Forrester. Capt. Forrester was shot down on December 27, 1972, and through the efforts of so many, his remains were finally repatriated. RFTW was well represented at the Celebration and there were over 130 folks online. Welcome Home Capt. Forrester!! Thank you to all who attended, whether in person or virtually. We Ride For Those Who Can’t!

We are finalizing plans for both Ontario and DC, and we are pleased to announce that while we will not be able to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, we will be able to place a wreath at an alternative location inside Arlington National Cemetery. The intrepid Gail continued to work through the bureaucracy that is Washington, D.C., and this year we will be able to take a total of 75 motorcycles (FNGs) in for this wreath laying. We will place a wreath at Section 60, nearest to the area of internment for those lost since the start of the Gulf Wars. Your RCs have the details and will be distributing the necessary-colored bands while on the Run. Note that the limit is seventy-five (75) motorcycles, which means we can bring in a total of 150 people. As in the past, no trikes or trailers are allowed. The RCs have all the details so they can complete their itineraries, but the following times may help you a bit in your planning: Saturday 0700 staging for ANC with a 0805 departure. At 1100 begin assembling at Lincoln Memorial for the 1130 photo. Depart Lincoln Memorial for the 1215 Misson Complete ceremony at the Wall. Sandbox registration will be at the host hotel on Saturday 0900-1015 and again from 1300-1600. We strongly encourage those of you registering in Ontario and riding two routes to register for both at the same time. Our registration teams will remind you to register for both routes to reduce the flow of registrants in D.C. Sandbox route meetings will be starting at 1500 -1800. More to follow in the sequence for those meetings.

The Park Service notified Gail that they will no longer allow bullhorns, loudspeakers, singing or chanting at the Lincoln Memorial. While they appreciate our enthusiasm and patriotism, the volume and ensuing echoes from so many voices may be contributing to the destabilization of the Memorial. We need to police ourselves and respect the wishes of the Park Service; remember we are allowed to gather for the photo as invited guests. Additionally, as in the past couple of years, there will be no parking on the grass around the National Mall area. Violators may have their bikes towed and impounded.

If you are still on the fence and have not yet registered, we ask that you do so as soon as possible. Our State Coordinators are working hard to finalize plans and rely on a pre-Run head count to ensure we can care for everyone’s needs. Our Day Rider registration process kicked in on 1 February, so please visit https://rftw.us/rftw-registration for all of the details.

In past years, we provided a standardized message for you to use when contacting news media, civic organizations, etc., announcing our arrival. Below is that message. I encourage you to copy and paste it into an email and get it out. Let’s work together to notify the nation that we are coming to your community and that We Ride For Those Who Can’t.

CUT LINE

Run For The Wall (RFTW), a veteran support organization, will be coming through ENTER LOCATION HERE on ENTER DATE/TIME HERE on our way to ENTER EITHER WASHINGTON D.C. OR MARSEILLES, IL. This is the 34^th year RFTW has conducted its mission of promoting healing among all veterans and their families and friends, calling 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 around the world. This mission is supported by thousands of citizens from communities like yours who come out to greet us, who provide donated gas and oftentimes food, and, most importantly, to demonstrate their patriotism and support.

As we work our way across America, whether from California to D.C or D.C. to Marseilles, IL., we visit towns and communities, veteran organizations like the VFW and American Legion, VA Centers and hospitals, schools, Gold Star families, and civic organizations to help spread the word. We need your help to promote the healing of those who have answered our nation’s call; to help remind our legislators that we need the accountability that was promised; and most importantly, we need to NEVER FORGET those who sacrificed all for us.

We cannot continue this mission without your support and assistance in getting the word out! Our motto is “We Ride For Those Who Can’t”. That all-encompassing motto includes Veterans and Patriots from all walks of life – with your help, we can reach more people who may need a personal connection or who wish to show their support.

We would love to have you come out to meet or join us on ENTER DATE AND TIME HERE. We would love to see you as we work our way across this great country of ours. For more information on Run For The Wall, please visit our website at https://rftw.us. If you would like to donate, please visit https://rftw.us/donate. RFTW is a registered 501(c)(3) with a Platinum rating by GuideStar.

We look forward to seeing you!

CUT LINE

No one left behind is more than a standard we all live up to. It is a way of life. It is part of our Mission. If you or someone you know find themselves struggling with their mental health, please know you can contact the VA Veteran’s Crisis Line by dialing 988 then press 1 or text 838255 and speak or chat with a qualified responder.

Let us 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?

John “Turkey” Staub
President, RFTW, Inc.
2011- CR FNG
2012 – CR Participant
2013 – CR Staging Team
2014 – 2015 – CR Staging Team Ass’t. Lead
2016-2017 – CR Staging Team Lead
2022 – CR Platoon Coordinator
2023 – CR and Sandbox Road Guard
2020 – Present – RFTW BoD member

Posted on January 2, 2024 by John "Turkey" Staub — Leave a comment

President’s Message – January 2024

Happy New Year to one and all!!

Hopefully you had a peaceful holiday season along with the opportunity to relax a bit and recharge your system. Now might be a good time to begin your Run preparation by looking over your individual plans including necessary medications, motorcycle maintenance, your physical condition, your gear. There are myriad details to cover pre-Run; the start of the new year might be a great time to get after it all.

Speaking of new things, if you are thinking of Valentines Day and perhaps buying something sweet for that special someone, how about visiting the Run For the Wall candy shop at https://www.yumraising.com/secure/runftw_run_for_the_wall22/JohSta9280/. Not only can you buy a sweet for your sweet, but you are also providing support to RFTW!!

Our hotel lists hit early on the morning of January 1^st and there seemed to be few glitches. We saw a Facebook post from one person regarding a problem with one of the links but were unable to reproduce the problem. I often wish we could have better answers when something like that happens, but unfortunately, issues are often related to which browser you are using, what your security or privacy settings are, and even sometimes what policies your Internet provider establishes. If you experienced an issue, please go to our website, and fill out a contact form so we can investigate the issue. When doing so, please provide as many details as possible to include which browser you are using. Screenshots may also be helpful. We also know of one link to a hotel in CA that isn’t correct, and Ted and Carol are all over that one. A third-party provides those links, so we must rely on them and their timing for a fix.

Central Route Hotels

Midway Route Hotels

Southern Route Hotels

Sandbox Route Hotels

As we prepare for each new Run, we often see “repeat” questions on a wide range of topics. The safest and surest way to provide accurate answers to questions is to direct those asking to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page. While visiting that page, they will almost always find answers to additional questions, saving time and effort. This page is the result of years of compiling questions and answers and can often provide clear answers that have stood the test of time.

Speaking of preparations, if you haven’t yet registered, I encourage you to do so before 1 February when the registration fee goes up from the “Early Bird” rates. Currently, our registration numbers are still slightly behind last year’s. We kept registration fees at the 2023 level and there is still time to take advantage of the early registration discount. Since the accuracy of our registration numbers drive the State Coordinators’ planning along with the hundreds of other volunteers that support us, it’s very important to register as early as possible. If you haven’t already done so, please CLICK HERE to register today! If, for whatever reason, you are electing NOT to ride this year, we would love to hear from you, especially if the reason is related to our organizing and executing the Run. There is a contact form on the website. We are genuinely interested in hearing from you!

I would like to take another moment to remind everyone that route planning is a function of the RCs and the BoD. Any changes or additions to the primary mission must be routed to the RCs and to the BoD for review and approval. Recently, we again had folks with the best of intentions planning changes to a route organization structure with no RC coordination. Our RCs and others are busy coordinating their route plans. It is unfair to them to inject and announce uncoordinated, unapproved changes.

On Saturday, January 13^th, you can attend a ceremony at the Washington National Cathedral at 4 p.m. if you are in the Washington, D.C. area, for the special A Celebration of Character & Courage ceremony honoring the service, courage and legacy of Vietnam veterans, Gold Star Families, and commitment renewal to account for the remaining missing. You can view the flyer for more information, and register to attend in person. In addition, you can also attend virtually via the host’s live-stream page.

Central Route graciously agreed to support the Tour of Wings – POW/MIA Wings on RFTW 2024. Homeland Magazine’s most recent issue contains an article on the Tour (https://issuu.com/adminhlm/docs/homeland_magazine_january_2024/20). The entire magazine can be viewed at Homeland Magazine-https://issuu.com/adminhlm/docs/homeland_magazine_january_2024?fr=sMDA4ZTYzMjkzNzk RFTW Homeland Magazine (Pages 20-21) – (RFTW Ad – Page 23). Homeland Magazine is also supporting RFTW by placing an ad for RFTW on page 23. Carol is working on plans to display the Wings while we are in Ontario, and they will be accompanying the Central Route across America. Gail is working on a display in DC. More to follow.

Let us 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?

Posted on December 14, 2023 by John "Turkey" Staub — Leave a comment

President’s Message – December 2023

Winter has arrived in south central Pennsylvania. While we have not had any appreciable snow, the temperatures and the winds remind us that mother nature is in charge. As the earth takes this time to relax and prepare for the next season, we too should try and make time for relaxation. I try and remind myself that every winter day that passes brings us one day closer to spring!

The last couple of months have been especially difficult for many of our Run family, and I ask that we continue to reach out and offer our friendship and understanding. Our Mission must endure, and we should be especially sensitive to the need for healing.

Recently, Cornell “Thumper” Penn resigned as the RC for Sandbox route for personal reasons. In true RFTW spirit, Heidi “Blue” Hansing agreed to step up as the RC. On Tuesday, 12 Dec. in a special BoD meeting, the Board approved Blue’s ascension to RC. I ask that you give Blue and her team all the support possible as she and her team continue the critical elements of route planning. Heidi will be submitting her nomination for ARC shortly, so more to come.

We continue to reach out to other veteran-centric organizations to spread the word about the Run. We are working diligently to attract riders of all wars and conflicts so that our MISSION and goals continue to resonate across our landscape. As our rider demographics adjust to the ages of our older warriors, we need to ensure our younger warriors know and understand that we look forward to them joining us and carrying on the Mission. On that same note, on December 18^th, Ted “Boots” Kapner and I will be interviewed on a podcast scheduled for release on 22 Dec. The For Vets Sake podcast is a monthly presentation as they work to educate Veterans on benefits, services, tributes and discuss all things veteran. You can typically find them on Apple and Spotify, and with this episode, there should be video available on their YouTube channel.

We need your help to expand our outreach to veteran organizations, to military organizations, to those who care and support our Mission. We have presentation templates so that the message we carry to outside organizations is consistent and meet the intent of RFTW. Remember, the Mission isn’t simply about going All the Way; it is about making a statement through participation!! Whether you ride one leg, three days, or ATW, we need our voices and the voices of those who cannot ride, to be raised and heard at the highest level. We Ride for Those Who Can’t!!!

Speaking of 2024, if you haven’t yet registered, I encourage you to do so before 1 February when the registration fee goes up from the “Early Bird” rates. Currently, our registration numbers are behind last year’s. We kept registration fees at the 2023 level and there is still time to take advantage of the early registration discount. Since the accuracy of our registration numbers drive the State Coordinators’ planning, if you haven’t yet registered, please CLICK HERE to register today! If, for whatever reason, you are electing NOT to ride this year, we would love to hear from you, especially if the reason is related to our organizing and executing the Run. There is a contact form on the website. We are genuinely interested in hearing from you!

Please keep in mind that your RC and ARC are your primary points of contact for questions regarding route activities. While we all have our Mission and rider’s best interests at heart, they are the primary movers and shakers for their respective routes.

Let us 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.

If I do not get the opportunity to speak with you, it is my sincere wish that each and everyone have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful Holiday Season. For whatever you celebrate, may you find comfort, joy, and peace within.

Is it May yet?

Posted on November 15, 2023 by John "Turkey" Staub — Leave a comment

President’s Town Hall Update

As we enter this holiday season, I again ask that you keep our friends, families and veterans in your thoughts and prayers. These are difficult times for many of us, and we need to be there for one another.

The BoD is pleased to announce that Run for the Wall received the GuideStar.org Platinum rating of transparency, the highest rating awarded to a charitable organization!!

During a recent exchange both on social media (A letter from the Chairman – Communication is the Key! – Run For The Wall® (rftw.us)) and during our recent Zoom Town Hall meeting (RFTW BoD Town Hall Zoom – Video Recording Now Available – Run For The Wall®), there were suggestions that the BoD publish an annual report and other financial information. So that we are clear, the BoD has, each year, submitted the required IRS Form 990, and those forms have been publicly available on the IRS site (Charities and Nonprofits | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)) for years (in case you need it, our EIN is 36-4125559). However, in the interest of being as transparent as possible, we have been working with both GuideStar.org and CharityNavigator.org to update our profiles. In September, Charity Navigator changed how it rates charitable organizations, and is now using data and information exclusively from GuideStar.org along with information on the IRS Form 990. This profile data change happened without notice to us. Fortunately, we were already working on our Charity Navigator profile and were able to adjust our efforts. As of this update, the data exchange between GuideStar and Charity Navigator has not yet happened. However, GuideStar published our new profile (Run for the Wall® – GuideStar Profile).

I encourage you to visit GuideStar.org and review our profile. The ability to drill down into detailed information is quite impressive, and there are IRS Form 990’s dating back to 2001.

Rest assured, with the end of our fiscal year, we are working on our latest IRS Form 990. The new 990 will contain updated information that we believe will significantly improve our Charity Navigator profile. While we do not know how long it will take Charity Navigator to perform either update (GuideStar data pull and the new 990), all indications are that it will be at least 3 months following completion of the new 990. In the meantime, please visit GuideStar.org, and review our profile (Run for the Wall® – GuideStar Profile). We encourage each of you to share this profile with all potential contributors. We posted the GuideStar seal and a link to our GuideStar profile on our donation page at https://rftw.us/donate.

While you are at it, it may be beneficial to review the profile of other charities with which you are familiar, both on GuideStar and Charity Navigator.

Did you know that Run for the Wall has an active Benevolence program? Each year, organizations that meet our criteria and select individuals are eligible to apply. For further information and online applications and submittal instructions, please visit https://rftw.us/benevolence-fund/. 31 December is the deadline for applications. Awards are reviewed and considered during the Face-to-face meeting typically held in February each year.

Let us 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?

Posted on November 3, 2023 by John "Turkey" Staub — Leave a comment

President’s Message – November 2023

Good day from chilly south-central PA. November is now upon us with many making plans for the upcoming holiday season. Another year has gone by producing no resolution to the POW/MIA and KIA/WIA issues that so many of our families face daily. As we gather around our tables with families and friends this holiday season, let us take a moment and remember those who are not with us, those who struggle daily with memories of sacrifices made in answering the call to duty. We Ride For Those Who Can’t is more than our motto; it describes what we do and why we do it.

A special thanks goes out to Denise “Zoom” Murray. She very graciously allowed us to use her Zoom account for our first-ever RFTW BoD Town Hall Zoom meeting on 2 November. We had a high capacity (500 seat) meeting planned, but a temporary glitch caused it to stop accepting logons at 100. Denise was able to quickly fix the issue and we had a total of 117 participants. Mike “Bonehead” Kyser was also there lending support and ensuring we were able to capture and document all the questions posted in the chat. The BoD fielded lots of good questions, eliminated some false, lingering rumors, and the consensus of our feedback is that the call was successful. We learned through this initial experience and plan to have more in the future. Thanks to all who called in and a special thanks to those who asked questions. For those who were unable to log on, our sincere apologies. As sometimes happens in an inaugural event, there was an unanticipated glitch, but we are confident we can prevent that from happening again. We hope to soon have the audio recording posted on our website, so those who were unable to attend and listen to the complete meeting recording.

Some good news from the Arlington/D.C. front. Despite what might have been unwelcome news, our Washington DC Coordinator, Gail Dippel was able to secure our host hotel for 2024 in Arlington where we have been for years. We are confident that this location will work for RFTW 2024 but do anticipate having to move in 2025. More to follow as the situation evolves.

One of the benefits of partnering with similar organizations is we often have access to tools and media devices that might be useful to those we meet. One of those partner organizations, https://www.vietnamwar50th.com, has made a Teachers Toolkit available. This resource is free to all and may assist teachers and other educators in developing academic studies related to answering the call to duty. If you have contact with or know an educator or educational institution, you might take a moment and offer this link: https://vietnamwar50th.com/history_and_legacy/teachers_toolkit/ (Teachers_Toolkit_2023_v3.pdf (vietnamwar50th.com). The file is quite large, so it may take a bit to download. The website describes this as “…a downloadable Toolkit that (sic) provides a comprehensive packet of materials and resources that educators can use inside and outside the classroom to support efforts to thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families. These resources include website links, recommended activities, books, and films, and many other materials that accommodate all ages from elementary schools and after-school programs to college-level students.” So many of our riders and volunteers contact a variety of educational institutions, this might be just the resource some are looking for.

I recently received an email telling me about an organization out of the UK that is remarkably like ours (https://www.rttw.org/). Their website describes their mission as “…a unique motorcycling event which gives motorcyclists an opportunity to gather together at a place of remembrance, to pay their respects to our serving and fallen service men and women and in doing so, raise funds solely for the purpose of perpetuating their memory and recognizing the sacrifice made.” A video of their 2023 mission can be seen at: https://www.facebook.com/walter.d.matthews/videos/1721516728322129?idorvanity=112498421427. The similarities between our organizations and ours are striking.

Some of our riders may remember meeting navy Capt. Royce Williams, the Korean War hero that, in 1952, shot down four out of seven Soviet MIGs in an engagement that remained classified for decades. The Navy originally awarded him the Silver Star in 1953; then on January 20^th, 2023, the Navy upgraded his Silver Star to the Navy Cross. As early as 2014, many senior leaders thought his actions were deserving of 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. Sad to say, the action to upgrade the Navy Cross to an MOH is still sitting with the Senate, with no action yet taken.

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

Back to Basics. Back to the RFTW Mission.

Is it May yet?

Posted on October 23, 2023October 23, 2023 by John "Turkey" Staub — 2 Comments

First Ever RFTW Zoom Town Hall

The BoD is pleased to announce an upcoming event we hope will lead to improved communications with our riders. On 2 November at 1900 Central Time, we will be hosting an open Town Hall via Zoom. As we do in our Board meetings, the event will be moderated by our Chairman, Billie Dunlap, with riders able to submit questions directly to the Board members. Our plan is for a brief introduction of our Board members, a focused discussion on some issues that impact what we do daily, and then opening it up to questions via Chat.

Please set aside this date and time. The link and additional information will follow soonest.

Is it May yet?

Posted on October 7, 2023 by John "Turkey" Staub — Leave a comment

President’s Message – October 2023

With October’s cooling temperatures, at least in the Northeast, comes the changing of the leaves, the departure of the hummingbirds, and the need to get the house and cars ready for the coming winter. While for some this time of year may bring a slight slowdown in certain areas, our dedicated volunteers are hard at work making sure RFTW 2024 will be a resounding success.

I often think of what goes into preparing for each Mission; of how the desire to serve those who served, those who are still serving, those who are no longer with us, drives and motivates us. Each and every volunteer gives of their time and treasure to ensure that we continue to “Ride for those who can’t”. I wish I could offer more than the tip of my hat, but please know that your efforts are greatly appreciated by all.

As many know by now, we will be launching from Ontario again this year, and again, we expect many of our meetings and gatherings will again be at the Elks club. We listened to your AARs and will be making some adjustments to the meeting rooms and services provided at the Elks, but they are warmly opening their facilities to us and again welcoming us with open arms. As Carol continues to finalize our plans, there will be more to follow on this topic.

Several folks have suggested we return to Rancho Cucamonga. I remember staying and launching out of Rancho, and it was a great place for our departure. Unfortunately, circumstances beyond our control dictated we find a new launch site, and Ontario and the Ontario Visitors Center (OVC) stepped up and are also welcoming us with open arms. The OVC recognizes the value and importance of our Mission and does so many things to aid and support us. The OVC is a great organization and an invaluable asset in our efforts!!

As much as I wish we could return to Arlington National Cemetery, that simply isn’t in the works again this year. However, it looks like Carol has secured our ride to Riverside National Cemetery!! Preliminary plans have us staging and departing from the Elks club on Tuesday. This is good news as the Elks are planning on having coffee and breakfast ready prior to our departure. As in the past, participants MUST be registered prior to riding in this event. The RCs were notified on route responsibilities for supporting this effort and are adjusting plans to fit this into the schedule.

As sometimes happens, good news is tempered with some not so good news. As I’m sure everyone is aware, costs are rising across the country, so please be prepared for increased hotel rates, etc., as you work on your plans. The BoD is working on several initiatives to try and alleviate the price increases, but I doubt we will have them in place for RFTW 2024. While most hotels have nationally recognized names and associations with national chains, they are privately owned, with rates set by the franchise owners. That said, we are working with some of the corporations to try and establish a national rate for our riders.

As we’ve discussed earlier in the year, there have been several changes to the Bylaws and SOPs regarding fundraising activities, use of intellectual property, the Rider Code of Conduct, along with other areas. Your RC and ARC are your primary points of contact for these and similar issues. Please ensure you are communicating with them on any plans that affect their route activities.

As an ending note, I encourage you to support the Mission, support your Route Coordinator, take the time to engage others and talk about our Mission and if you can, volunteer to be a resource for your route as well as a rider. Attend any local RFTW rider support groups and encourage our FNG’s. We need your continued support!!

Let’s remember to keep our focus on the Mission. It is why we ride!

Is it May yet?

Posted on September 11, 2023 by John "Turkey" Staub — Leave a comment

President’s Message – September 2023

And just like that, here it is September already. Registration is NOW OPEN! Contrary to some rumors, registration fees are the same as last year. The BoD is doing everything we can to control costs. If you think about it, on a 10-day route, with registration at $45, that is $4.50 per day. We encourage early registration so that our State Coordinators have accurate numbers to work with when contracting for hotels, planning meals, etc.

Speaking of our State Coordinators, sometimes I don’t think they are given enough credit. I know that during my time as the DC/Arlington coordinator, my work was a continuous cycle year after year. Speaking with some of our other SCs, their work is the same. During my time on the CR staging team, I once counted that we stopped 49 times on our Mission across the country. That we were able to purchase gas, eat a meal, get off our bikes and stretch, have a place to sleep, was all because of our SCs. They do a magnificent job, and we owe them a huge thanks! The SC job is not easy, but all do it so well.

The wife and I were fortunate to be able to travel to New Mexico for the Angel Fire workday/reunion over the Labor Day weekend. Since we moved east back in 2014, it has been that long since we’ve been able to attend. It was so nice to see folks from all the routes in attendance. Since the Angel Fire gathering is mainly about assisting in maintaining the Vietnam Veterans memorial and laying memorial bricks, it was heartwarming to see RFTW riders and leadership taking personal time to perform this vital mission. We laid 526 memorial bricks this year. The participation of several younger children was especially memorable, as their parents and families teach them to honor our past; to remember those who served, many of whom paid the ultimate price. This type of activity is core to the RFTW mission and goals. The team that put the workday/reunion together did a magnificent job. My hat is off to one and all.

Speaking of reunions, the All Riders Reunion in Kerrville, TX is rapidly approaching. This reunion has been going on for several years and is always well attended. I encourage you to attend if you have the time. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. They do know how to put on a reunion in Texas!! Click here for more information.

Remember 2023 is the year of Back to Basics. If you are contemplating something, perhaps a fundraiser or using RFTW intellectual property in any form, please run it past your RC to ensure it meets the procedures and policies of RFTW. RFTW is about the Mission; everything else is secondary and the BoD is determined to get us Back to Basics. Yet we seem to be constantly finding misuse of our intellectual property in ways and manners inconsistent with our Mission. We intend to protect our Mission, our name, and the presentation of RFTW, but to do so, we need your help. Approvals for requests for use of our exact replica intellectual property range from the State Coordinator for items like flyers, posters, etc., advertising events that support RFTW; RCs may approve use of exact replica RFTW intellectual property on certain items. Items such as hats, shirts, etc., must be reviewed and approved by the President. Your RC has information on how to submit items for approval.

At the start of the year of Back to Basics, we incorporated mandatory procedures in the SOPs regarding the order of march for the Missing Man Formation (MMF). The MMF symbolizes the very core of our Mission, and the BoD believed it was important to ensure we present this formation consistently across all four routes. Again, your RC has the details.

Cages that are used to support leadership teams will no longer be able to travel with the pack or with the team they support. This was a subject of considerable discussion during the July Face-to-Face meetings, and all agreed that the mix of motorcycles and cars was becoming a problem. If you are leading a team and you need support from a cage, you will need to ensure they do NOT ride near or among your team.

We are still receiving AARs from the last Run. Thank you for taking the time to submit your thoughts and ideas. There have been a couple of questions regarding how AARs are handled. First, ALL AARs are read by the entire BoD, and are also presented to the RCs for their review and consideration. Some who submit AARs are contacted, but most are not. That doesn’t mean your voice isn’t heard. It is.

But how about you? How are your preparations going? Are you exercising, hydrating? Is your motorcycle ready? How are your tires looking? Are you staying ready for May?

Let’s remember to keep our focus on the Mission. It is why we ride!

Is it May yet?

Posted on August 4, 2023 by John "Turkey" Staub — Leave a comment

President’s Message – August 2023

Before I get too far into this month’s message, I would like to take a moment to recognize the upcoming departure from the BoD of Jenny Ward. Yes, as hard as it is to believe, Jenny, while continuing to serve on the Central Route, is leaving the BoD. Jenny’s near decade of either direct or indirect service to the BoD and to all routes as our resident CPA and then Treasurer has been an immense help. She has an accountant’s mind and eye and has set up our accounting procedures that will enable us to move into the future with confidence. If you have a moment, perhaps shoot her an email at jenny.ward@rftw.us and thank her for her exceptionally dedicated service to our mission. Jenny, I know we will see you on the Run, but please take comfort in knowing you served RFTW and our veterans with the deliberate dedication they so richly deserve!

We covered a lot of territory in our Face-to-Face in Dallas. One of the prominent things we decided is that RFTW 2024 will focus on Back to Basics. Everyone in attendance agreed that current events and external requirements have drawn our focus away from the basic tasks associated with accomplishing our Mission. Your RCs will be emphasizing that very focus as we begin planning RFTW 2024. Please take a moment to read, or reread, our Mission statement and reflect the meaning behind the words. It is a powerful statement, and your leadership believes we need to refocus our efforts towards accomplishing what we say we are going to do. You will be hearing more from your RCs on this topic.

As difficult as change is, we have irrefutable data that tells us we need to institute some changes to the way the Mission is accomplished. Midway asked for approval to do an 11-day Run again in 2024. Don presented a compelling presentation during a special Board meeting outlining how the 11-days impacts the veterans, communities, families, and friends along the Midway route. While 2023 was an “experimental” Run, the Board felt there was sufficient compelling evidence, to include comments in AARs from Midway riders, to do it again. There will be changes to our departure ceremony for Midway; however we will not “require” anyone but Midway riders to attend, and it will not detract from the Wednesday departure ceremony. More to follow as planning continues.

As we work toward getting Back to Basics, you will hear of additional redirection of efforts. We are not taking on any additional missions this year; if someone wants to alter the fundamental accomplishment of a Route by adding or embellishing the Run, they will first have to receive the RCs approval, who then in turn will bring it to the BoD for review and discussion. Again, we were all in agreement that there were too many “side” missions and changes without RC approval that significantly detracted from accomplishing the primary mission. So, if you wish to add to or embellish the Mission on a particular route, you’ll need to run it through the RC first, and well before the Run begins. Last minute add-ons just before KSU will not be approved. Over the past couple of years, we have seen many of our participants bringing unfavorable attitudes with them. Whether it is an attitude of entitlement or an attitude of “the rules are good for everyone else, but they don’t apply to me in this situation,” or “I can insert a mission into my route without preplanning with my RC,” this needs to stop. There will be no new missions, no new positions, no new operations without prior RC and BoD coordination.

As we look at the demographics of RFTW, it has become glaringly apparent that we need to take a hard look at expectations. There are a couple of studies going on that may alter the face of RFTW. I ask that you keep in mind that we are not looking at the Run blindly; we are consulting with riders, RCs, other leaders as well as folks outside of our organization. Change is difficult in any organization, but if we expect our Run and our Mission to survive, we need to approach adapting our operations to this ever-changing world we live in.

Finally, we are looking at and planning for RFTW 2025. As most of you know, we owe our very existence to a dedicated, determined group of Vietnam Vets who, some 34 years ago, decided to march on Washington DC to participate in a peaceful protest over the treatment of our POWs and MIAs, along with multiple other issues. Recognizing that 2025 will be the 50^th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, and the 35^th anniversary of RFTW, Run 2025 will be the “Year of the Vietnam Vet”. We will not be dismissing the contributions of our other vets, but instead focusing on those that started what we are today. Again, more to follow. We are hoping that many of our Vietnam Vets will come back in 2025, even if only as Day Riders, so that we can recognize and thank them. RFTW is today what it is due to the care and concern of the “89ers”.

Back to Basics. Back to the RFTW Mission.

Is it May yet?

Posted on July 10, 2023July 10, 2023 by John "Turkey" Staub — Leave a comment

President’s Message – July 2023

It seems like yesterday that I was writing about how winter had settled in in south PA. Now with summer upon us, there are so many outdoor activities to choose from; car shows, fly fishing, festivals supporting our volunteer fire departments, and soon it will be time for the apple harvest festivals. Hunters are already lining up for their annual deer and elk tags. Like so much of the country, we are seeing unsettled weather with daily air quality alerts from the wildfires burning in Canada. We remain busy though, getting plans moving along for next year and beyond. I hope summer brings peace and happiness to you and yours. July is the month dedicated to celebrating our nation’s independence and freedom. July 4th, like so many other dates, has a very special meaning for our nation. I hope you were able to spend some time celebrating our nation’s independence. The clock continues to countdown; as I write this, we are 310 days out from KSU for Run 2024.

Congratulations to our 2024 RCs, ARCs and RGCs!! We know you will do your best throughout the year as you plan for RFTW 2024.

All our leaders, including members of the BoD, are non-compensated volunteers. That sounds simple, but reality shows us it is quite complex. I guess I am trying to share with you that RFTW, and accomplishing all that goes into an RFTW mission, is quite complex. That said, the BoD and your volunteer leadership is dedicated to the Mission; we hope you continue to remain so. We are always looking for better ways of doing business; if you have suggestions, please submit them to one of the board members.

Thank you to all who have and are submitting AARs. They make a difference. Each AAR is reviewed by both the BoD and the route leadership. In reading many of the AAR’s, especially those from FNGs, I’m glad we received so many responses. While we received a lot of good feedback from many riders, reading the FNG AARs was enlightening. One thing many FNGs expressed was an appreciation to experience and learn the mission and focus on riding the RFTW way. FNGs need to experience the camaraderie, the healing, the meeting and making of new friends that go along with riding in the pack. They need to develop an understanding of “We Ride For Those Who Can’t”. FNGs, like all riders, need to experience the care and concern our PLs demonstrate, they need to feel the warm embrace of RFTW. They need to learn the RFTW way. And we need to continue to ensure that each FNG experiences the Run as they are supposed to do. That is one of the reasons FNGs are not allowed to participate on special teams. They need time to learn the RFTW mission and truly experience the healing we bring.

As we review RFTW 2023 and prepare for 2024, we are also looking at RFTW 2025. We plan on making 2025 a special year; it’s too early to release any details but suffice it to say part of our 2024 Back to Basics planning is in preparation for RFTW 2025. Stand by for more info.

One aspect we can all assist with is helping our chase trucks. They perform a great job of helping our riders in the event of a breakdown. One thing I learned recently is that different brands, and even models, of motorcycles should be strapped to a trailer differently. If you were to strap a Honda Goldwing in the same way you might strap a Harley, you could cause significant damage to the Goldwing. It is important for each rider to know and understand how to strap down their bike or trike. If your bike requires a special strap, please don’t expect our chase trucks to carry that strap. For example, many models of pre-2018 Goldwing’s require the use of a loop-strap that wraps around the triple-tree. These loop straps are then connected to the rachet straps. If you use rachet straps across the handlebars of a Wing, you could break the handlebars. And it is nearly impossible correctly wrap a rachet strap around the triple tree. Same issue with the using rachet straps on the crash guards on a Wing. The crash guards are attached to the Wing using standard bolts instead of hardened bolts. While this hasn’t been an issue on the Run, there are many reports from Honda owners of the bolts breaking when using rachet straps on the crash guards. Bottom line: it is the bike owner’s responsibility to know how to properly strap their bike to the trailer, and if special straps are required, you should have them with you. Help our chase truck drivers help you!!

Kriss Ross is looking for some assistance. She was part of the 13 flags carried across the US mission and is missing a piece of luggage and a flag. In her emails, she stated that she has been in contact with several RFTW riders that say they know the whereabouts of her missing items but have not offered any specific information. If you happen to have information on the whereabouts of her missing items, please contact her via email at mookiki2@gmail.com.

The announcements for both the Kerrville reunion and the Angel Fire reunion and work weekend are out. I hope you can participate in one or the other, or perhaps both.

Let’s remember to keep our focus on the Mission. It is why we ride!

Is it May yet?

CUT LINE

CUT LINE

Happy New Year to one and all!!

Get Monthly RFTW News via Email