President’s Message:

IT’S MAY!!!

With Memorial Day weekend coming in a few weeks, I am saddened that we cannot take our “One Mission – Four Routes” into Washington and collectively honor those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. I think I know you all will do your duty this Memorial Day to pay your respects – whether it’s in Washington, DC or in the thousands of cities and towns across America. I wish the very best for you all in this endeavor because patriotism and mission is enduring with our riders.

While you engage in ceremonies this month keep our mission close to your hearts:

“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.”

And travel safely….

Homes For Our Troops donations

Last month I mentioned that I would send out an early message to report on the Home For Our Troops fundraiser. Here it is:

The first month’s donation totals were very impressive and thank you to everyone who has participated so far. During April $3,700 was donated via direct mail to our treasurer Ken Ward. Additionally, $3,240 was donated through the Facebook campaign with an additional $665 through May 9^th. Finally, there is a GE Matching donation for $100 that will be received in August. So, the total is now $7,705. When the home we sponsor is finished, we will be invited to the opening. I hope we have a large response from our riders for this event.

 

Congratulations on a great first month of this mission. We have reached 31 percent of the $25,000 goal! Already during this new donation month, I have been told by riders who schedule monthly RFTW breakfast/lunch groups that they have been passing around a hat as a way of aiding this great mission. To learn more about Homes For Our Troops and why we chose this mission, click on the video here.

At the end of last month, you may have noticed, the Facebook fundraiser totals disappeared and another appeared anew with a lower amount of donations at the end of April. It seems Facebook only allows these fundraisers to run for a month at a time. So, our communications director Nick Hentges simply posted another fundraiser that started at zero dollars for our second month. One reaction to this was disrespectful and disappointing as he opined, without the slightest idea of what he was talking about, that something nefarious was going on. As you all know, the rftw.us website has the phone numbers and email addresses of all board members, including this writer. Please feel free to call me or others with any questions before throwing firebombs on Facebook.

On another note…

Gary “Shepherd” Burd and M-25 has a planned mission (4CPR) to pray for this nation this summer starting in Blaine, Wash., on June 27 and traveling to the four corners of the Continental U.S., ending in the center of the nation in Lebanon, Kan. on July 22. The mission will run approximately 8,700 miles and details can be found in YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqX1Bw0tP2s. Riders are invited to go all the way or pick up one or more legs. Shepherd can be reached at mailto:gburd@arn.net for further details and itinerary.

New BOD members and positions

Last night the BOD voted on new members and position changes.

Here are the results:

• Dave Klemme, President
• Jim Marshall, Chairman
• Nick Hentges, Secretary
• Jenny Ward, Treasurer
• Ron King, Risk Management
• Bill Clark, Merchandise
• Ted Kapner, Public Relations/Communications
• Joe Bookataub, Purchasing

John Staub will remain as director of operations.

One Mission – Four Routes.

Respectfully Submitted,
Les “Easy” Williams
RFTW BOD President

President’s Message:

New Info!

Here it is nearly the end of April and here in Western Colorado we haven’t seen too much rain so I guess the flowers will suffer in May. It’s been a very dry year for us and a snowy winter on the Front Range of Colorado. Thankfully it has snowed in the San Juan Mountains which will provide our farmers with ample irrigation water to grow their crops.

DDry weather has its upside in that we have been riding for over two months now. I ride with the American Legion Riders Post 73 in Montrose, Colo. We have made our theme for this year to bring continued awareness to the 22 a Day movement, helping to prevent the loss of veterans and active-duty military to suicide. Each of our rides support the 22 a Day theme with patches given to those who ride with us in support of this important mission – a mission many at RFTW share. 

Many of the ALR riders have purchased the new RFTW 22 long-sleeve shirts that fit perfectly with our mission. Ray Brammer, the RFTW merchandise director, designed the shirts and has them for sale in the RFTW store in long sleeve and short sleeve styles. Run For The Wall is developing a new patch in support of this mission which will be available in the store soon. Remember, 100 percent of the money RFTW raises goes toward bringing awareness to veteran and active-duty military issues.

I would be remiss to leave out Angie Uhler and Ed Holterman who have been advocates for this important mission to end veteran/military suicides. There are thousands of other products available on the Internet public domain supporting this cause. Thanks to all for stepping up to educate our citizens in the effort to end these deaths.

As we approach our first month of fund raising to help Homes for Our Troops (HFOT) build a home for a severely injured veteran, I want to thank those who have participated and encourage everyone to continue to help us reach our goal of $25,000. The $25,000 we raise will be matched by an additional $25,000, then that $50,000 will be matched by another foundation for a total of $100,000.

You may say this is a lofty goal and you would be correct but how many other veteran groups do you know who accomplish what Run For The Wall does?  Most of you have seen what these homes do for severely wounded veteran and family and because of that our riders and supporters have donated $5,300 or 21 percent of our goal as of April 25.

As you may know there are three pathways to donate to this worthy cause. Any one will work and riders and supporters have been using all three:

1. rftw.us Donate button
2. Checks mailed to RFTW Treasurer Ken “Catfish” Ward, 675-N Deis Drive, Unit #266, Fairfield, Ohio 45014
3. Donations made through the RFTW Facebook fundraiser

The numbers I mentioned above are from the Facebook Fundraiser and the mail-in donations sent to Treasurer Ken “Catfish” Ward with HFOT in the memo line. Remember to make a notation on your check or RFTW Donation online that you want the money to go to Homes For Our Troops. We are looking at the donations already made to ensure they are going where you want. If you donated already but did not make a note on it for HFOT, drop Ken Ward an email.

I hope to have all the pathway donations for you next month. For now, I just want to say how impressed I am with you all for your generosity and devotion to our troops who are in need. With this effort I recalled vividly the money raised to help the folks of Houston, Texas after Hurricane Harvey destroyed thousands of homes. Moreover, the memories of an RFTW-wide effort to help buy winter clothing for the children of Rainelle, West Virginia, after a disastrous 500-year flood come to mind.

Then there are the memories from all the years of route donations given to needy school children along the way – help they need to succeed. Run For The Wall riders and supporters love America and her citizens.

And who could forget the help following the tornado in the Cookeville, Tenn., area. Midway Route Tennessee assistant state coordinator Ed Butler said he was honored to represent RFTW at a special recognition of our support earlier this month.

Then there are the memories from all the years of route donations given to needy school children along the way – help they need to succeed. Run For The Wall riders and supporters love America and her citizens.

I am humbled by all you do to help where you can and the gifts you bring to Run For The Wall. My sincere gratitude goes out to you all.

Respectfully Submitted,
Les “Easy” Williams
RFTW BOD President

President’s Message:

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Route Coordinators, it saddens me to announce that we are postponing RFTW XXXII scheduled for May 2021 because of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. This action reflects the unanimous vote of the Board of Directors, with the consent of the four route coordinators. We determined it would be prudent to make this decision earlier than last year to give all the riders, vendors and citizens an opportunity to cease operations that were being prepared for RFTW 2021.

I do not intend to belabor the issues of COVID-19 and the expansive restrictions that were attached to the virus. Despite the restrictions, the Board of Directors was encouraged during the late summer and fall when cases were going down and vaccine appeared to be on the horizon.

Then, later in the fall, the limited restrictions took a turn for the worse as a new UK COVID-19 strain showed up on the East Coast and would soon be infecting the Eastern Seaboard. With the arrival of this “deadly” strain the eastern states returned to lockdowns and restrictions that prohibited the gathering of 10 – 25 people. Hardly a good atmosphere for a RFTW mission. Moreover, two additional strains located in South America appeared and were reported by the CDC to threaten the United States if they reached our shores.

 

As many of the states along our routes tightened their regulations, they added fines for anyone or any group who failed to conform. Civil fines vary, but can range as high as $2,500 for individuals to $25,000 or more for organizations who sponsor the breach of emergency regulations. Given the number of states RFTW passes through every Board member realized that those fines sent to our organization could end Run For The Wall. It would also endanger our riders and those who support us on our journey across the nation. Hence, the Board of Directors made a decision to protect all the riders, donors who have steadfastly supported Run For The Wall for many years, and the organization.

We decided we could not intentionally lead our riders into states/counties/cities where they will be intentionally violating federal, state and local regulations.

Route coordinators were asked to contact their state coordinators to brief the Board of Directors at the February meeting. During that meeting we heard the loss of lunch stops and fuel stops in several states – the complete loss of services that allow RFTW routes to successfully complete their mission. The critical mass of closures is in North Carolina, Virginia and Washington DC, although there are significant restrictions in all states. All the states we pass through have continued to maintain restrictions on the size of crowd gathering limiting those sizes to 10-50 people, depending on inside or outside venues.

Here are some of the restrictions we faced in the Arlington/DC area alone, as reported by the RFTW DC coordinator:

• LE Support (affects all routes):
• Northern Virginia State Police Motorcycle Unit: At this time, the Northern VSP Motorcycle Unit will not provide LE escort for Midway Route (@ National Museum of the Marine Corps), Central Route (@ Tom’s Brook) into Arlington or Southern Route entry through Virginia.
• Arlington Police: At this time, Arlington Police cannot provide LE escort for our 400 riders from the Holiday Inn Arlington at Ballston into Arlington National Cemetery. This is due to Executive Order 72 prohibiting outdoor gatherings of more than 10 individuals.

• Wreath Laying Ceremony, Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington National Cemetery has discontinued all public wreath laying ceremonies until further notice.
• National Park Service:
• Permit to park on the National Mall. At this time, the National Park Service (NPS) will not approve a permit for RFTW rider to park on the National Mall adjacent the Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
• RFTW Group Photo at Lincoln Memorial. At this time, NPS will not approve a permit for a group photograph on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial. At this time, RFTW will not be able to gather – in groups larger than 50 – at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
• Virginia and DC currently have restrictions on the number of people that can gather that prohibit RFTW from conducting or completing any part of the mission.

DC also has a requirement that anyone traveling into Washington, DC from a jurisdiction with more than 10 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people:

Get a test within 72 hours of traveling, and if the test is positive, don’t travel.

• If you are a close contact of a confirmed positive case, don’t travel.
• If you are a visitor to DC for more than three days, get tested within 3-5 days of arrival.
• Adherence to the mandatory mask policy, exceptions include vigorous exercise or while actively eating or drinking.

Our Risk Management director left us with this:

“Run For The Wall is not just the board or just the riders – it’s about the mission. That is what must continue. And for the Board to let the Run continue ahead this year despite the MANY restrictions still in states across our country, would most likely bring a devastating blow to this organization and its ability to continue our mission. We don’t need to tell you that we riders are very independent, resourceful and proud. Bucking the local, state or national restrictions may give us a temporary good feeling, but the repercussions that citizens may invoke upon us – not only legally but also publicly – cannot be undone.

Cancelling this year’s Run, after last year’s blow, is a heartbreaking decision for us – more than many of you will ever know. The directors of the Board started just like you – as FNGs, as riders, as leadership. We KNOW what you are feeling, because we feel it, too. But our responsibility is to YOU RIDERS and to this organization – that it will continue for years to come. We are NOT throwing in the towel. We will come back in 2022 and will show this country that we’re still here and that we have not forgotten our veterans. What riders decide to do on their own is something we cannot – and do not – want to control. As was done last year, small groups will most likely make their own trips. While RFTW, as an organization, cannot post any such trips on social media, we certainly cannot stop them from happening. The camaraderie, love and support in our family is too strong for us to be beaten by the current situation.”

It is with profound sadness that we craft this message with a special thought for the FNGs registered this year. We all remember our FNG year and what it meant to all of us, and we remain committed to making sure RFTW will be there for you in the future – know that you are very important to all of us.

I encourage all FNGs to continue reading your route coordinator’s messages and attending any FNG Zoom conferences. Your route coordinators will remain the same for RFTW 2022.

“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because it makes all the others work.” ~ Aristotle

Sometimes it takes courage not to do something

Photographer Unknown

Reach out to someone, continue the mission however you can. We ride for those who can’t.

Respectfully submitted,
Les “Easy” Williams
RFTW BOD President

President’s Message

Recently I received calls concerning the death of Don “9 Ball” Morris. Don was a long time Southern Route rider who distinguished himself by riding during the start-up years of the Southern Route. Don’s achievements began with his determination to enhance and build the Southern Route. He worked his way up from participant to route coordinator in 2006 and thereafter became a mentor for many others who call the SR home.

Don was a long-term member of the Board of Directors where he served as the merchandise director. His work ethic was once again instrumental in his success while with the BOD. Don took a struggling merchandise system and turned it into a disciplined and successful process that continues to this day. I want to thank some of Don’s very loyal friends for their assistance in helping Don’s wife, Della, during this sad time, and who have provided us with some of Don’s history. John “Slammer” Gebhards provided the pictures and Don’s history both in the Army and with RFTW. Steve “Hawgwash” Hill has been working with Della in writing Don’s obituary which is included in this message.

Moreover, I would like to thank “Cowboy” Mead and “Top” Neil for their efforts to help compile a list of Don Morris’ Run for The Wall achievements and his exemplary service to our nation during his tours in Vietnam. This writer saw and listened to many of Don’s friends who felt the grief and loss of a great friend and supporter of RFTW. This, folks, is called “family.” 

Rest in Peace, Don, and our sincere prayers for Della in her time of mourning. God Bless the United States.

OBITUARY FOR DON MORRIS – United States Army

Don “9-Ball” Morris was born 7-1-1945 and went to his Eternal Rest on 1-22-2021

Don proudly served his country as an 11B (Infantryman) in Vietnam. During his time in Service, he attended the NCO Academy at Fort Benning, Georgia and attained the rank of SSG (Meritoriously) as the class honor graduate.

He served a tour of duty in Vietnam with “D” Company, 1st of 7th, 1st Cavalry Division where he was awarded the Bronze Star w/Combat Distinguishing Device, Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/numerous campaign stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Combat Infantry Badge.

Don returned from Vietnam in July 1969. According to Della, he carried a lot of guilt for the loss of several close friends who he served with in combat including the beloved “Doc” of his unit. Don always strived to lead the life that they would be proud of. He always put others before self.

Upon leaving the service, Don took his place as an entrepreneur in the business world which would later prove beneficial to Run For The Wall.

Don loved motorcycling and became a licensed motorcycle safety instructor in Arizona.

Rising thru the ranks of RFTW, Don served as a road guard, assistant route coordinator in 2005 and route coordinator in 2006. Having a desire to continue serving the RFTW family, Don was selected to the Board of Directors in 2007 and became the Director of Merchandise. Many of the successes of merchandise today are a direct result of Don’s tireless effort to procure, catalog and obtain additional merchandise thru his years of experience in the retail market.

Don leaves behind the love of his life Della, two daughters and a huge extended Run For the Wall family.

Memorial Service for Don “9-Ball” Morris, Vietnam Vet, United States Army:

Palm Valley Funeral Home
10761 W. Grand Avenue
Sun City, AZ 85321

10:00 AM Friday, February 26, 2021

Reception following Memorial Service.
Location and map will be provided at funeral home

Respectfully submitted,
Les “Easy” Williams
RFTW BOD President

President’s Message:

On behalf of the Board of Directors and our 2021 Route Coordinators I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a joyful holiday season. Moreover, we wish you all a very Happy and better New Year- which should not be hard as 2020 disappears in our rear-view mirrors.  Already the virus vaccine looks like something we can be grateful for, especially concerning the nation’s health. I am also grateful we will get the chance to complete our thirty-second annual Run For The Wall next spring.

The December Board of Directors opened this month with a virtual briefing from our new Washington DC Coordinator, Gail Dipple. Gail has contacted the hotels we are familiar with and is working on another hotel based on the current registration numbers. Additionally, we are all working to make RFTW routes more efficient and safer arrivals into Arlington. We will once again ask folks to avoid driving into the Holiday Inn’s parking lot if you do not have a reservation with them.

On the West Coast, California state coordinator Carol Olmstead has completed her hotel contracts which will be published along with all route hotel lists on Jan. 1, 2021. The combined hotels will have plenty of rooms available to meet our needs all across the country. In California, conference rooms will be available along with a vendor area. Please keep reading your route coordinator’s monthly briefings for any further details of hotels and other RC updates.

With the start of December, I was waiting for stories and documentaries on the attack on Pearl Harbor that occurred Dec. 7, 1941. I was disappointed there was so little on television or the Internet. What was framed as “the day that will live in infamy” by President Roosevelt as he declared war on Japan seemed minimized in contrast to last year.

The History Channel did have a good historical review that outlined the “lead up” to Pearl Harbor, then the attack itself.

There is much in our history that should not be forgotten or minimized, and I believe that keeping dates – such as the day Pearl Harbor was attacked – in focus is the duty of veterans and veteran organizations who know more than most the pain and life-changing events of warfare.

Please join me in marking historical days on your 2021 calendar in remembrance of service members and their families, that they are not forgotten.  “We ride for those who can’t.”

Thank You

As I conclude the last message of 2020, I would like to thank all the riders and supporters of Run For The Wall for your loyalty, energy and the time you donate to Run For The Wall.  Your participation is critical to each year’s success. Each year we reach out to riders and supporters seeking skills that are needed to fill positions on the routes, board committees and Board of Directors. At this time, we are seeking someone willing to serve on the BOD as Risk Management Director. If you are interested, please click on the following link to read the required skills:  https://rftw.us/forums/topic/seeking-applicants-for-director-of-risk-management-registration-2021/   If you are qualified  please send a resume to Diann McKee at diann.mckee@rftw.us.

Once again have a great holiday season, a blessed Christmas, and hold your family close.

Is it May yet?

Respectfully submitted,
Les “Easy” Williams
President Run For The Wall, Inc

President’s Message:

Here it is October and the leaves are turning to fall colors here in Colorado while the mountains are showing evidence of high-altitude snow.

Our October Board of Directors meeting was held in mid-month with plenty of work for everyone. I want to thank the RCs/SCs for their work in finding new hotels, service providers and other folks instrumental in making RFTW successful. While there are a few holes left to plug in some routes you can be sure they will be filled soon. Our California coordinator, Carol Olmstead, is busy getting Ontario hotels contracted. There is some question at this time if the Gateway Hotel will have their construction complete in time for our arrival. Seems they have used the California lockdown to work on their remodeling project, but the last I heard from Carol the Gateway was not sure they will be completed in time for our arrival. We have a new Washington Coordinator, Gail Dipple, working to complete the contracts for our arrival in D.C.

As I mentioned in my last message there are still folks wondering if Covid-19 will prevent us from completing the 2021 RFTW. After talking to several folks who asked this question, I can only say that the Board of Directors and the RCs are working hard planning for next spring’s mission. Folks, we are tackling the damage done after postponing the 2020 Run For The Wall last spring while progressing into the final stages of planning for 2021. I am asking you all to join us in our vision and support for the XXXII Run For The Wall May 2021. Our registrations continue to grow and those who have signed up are eager to start the mission. If you have signed up for a specific route, please be sure to read your Route Coordinator’s monthly messages on the website rftw.us for any updates or changes.

As October slowly fades keep in mind that Veteran’s Day will soon be upon us – Wednesday, Nov. 11.

If you are lucky enough that your area has veteran’s events scheduled, take some time to attend – especially those in the schools. The kids are very excited and respectful to see you in their classrooms and auditoriums. Even if you have to “socially distance and wear a mask.” We Ride For Those Who Can’t.

Is it May yet?

Les “Easy” Williams
President Run For The Wall, Inc