Category: Southern Route Coordinator News

January  2022 Part 1

 

Greetings Patriots,

Well, we made it into 2022.  Most of us are intact, some are not so fortunate.  It seems like almost every day I am adding another RFTW Rider or Family member to my prayer list.  Many of our Brothers and Sisters are on the mend, so hopefully they will be in top shape by May.   Speaking of May, it will be here before we know it.  Everyone is working overtime to prepare for RFTW XXXII 2022.  Route details are being planned.

Our Wonderful Supporters are making preparations for our arrivals.   I am asked frequently, “How many Riders are you bringing?”  At this point that is a very hard question to answer.  So, I am asking you, Please, if you have not already registered, Do It Today.  It will surely help the planning effort.

Team Leaders are busy building their teams.  Some teams are in need of a little help to fill out their rosters.   Please take a look at our Southern Route Contacts page.   If you see an open position that interests you, check out the Southern Route Volunteers page to see the requirements.  If you would like to volunteer or get more information, fill out and submit the Volunteer Form.   Even if the rosters are full, Team Leaders are always adding Riders to their standby list.

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Positive…………Stay tuned for further notices.

December 2021 Part 2

 

 

Greetings from Snowy Nevada,

I hope everyone had an opportunity to spend time with Family over Christmas.  And that Santa brought you great presents. 

The Hotel List will be posted on the Southern Route Hub on January 1, 2022.  Our State Coordinators do their very best to secure a variety of best available rates.    We do not have contracts with every hotel on the list.  Those whose rate is shown in italics are non-contract with currently available the online rate.   Just click on the hotel name and it should take you directly to that hotel’s reservation site.

If you are not a member of some hotel chain rewards programs, you should consider joining.  It costs nothing, and you could benefit from earning or using associated points.  Examples are Choice, Wyndham, Marriot, Hilton Honors, Radisson, IHG (Holiday Inn), Best Western and others.

Also keep in mind that you may have to use the supplied link or call the hotel directly to get the Run For The Wall rate.  All that information will be on the Hotel List.  If you call the hotels directly on the morning of January 1^st, keep in mind that the person on the phone may be busy or may not be aware of the special rate.  That is no excuse to be rude.   Call another place or call back later.   It takes years to cultivate positive relationships with these hotels, one bad experience can ruin it all.  You may notice that some of the usual places are not listed, it is likely that their rates are well above what others offer in the same locale.  Doubling up to share expenses is an option to cut costs.

With a New Year brings New Hope.  Please register if you have not already.  I would sure help our planning efforts to know how many of you will be with us in 2022.  

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Positive & Happy New Year

December 2021

 

Greetings from the Northern Nevada Tundra,

Hopefully it is at least above freezing where you are.   First, I want to ask for your Thoughts and Prayers for those affected by the swarm of Tornadoes that descended on several Midwest states this week.   If you have friends or relatives in these areas, Please check in on them to be sure they are Okay.

Secondly, I want to dispel any rumor that RFTW 2022 is or will likely be cancelled, FAKE NEWS!  The Board of Directors along with ALL 4 Route Coordinators and Assistant Route Coordinators have pledged to make RFTW XXXII 2022 a successful Mission.  Our Primary Plan is to do our traditional Route from “LA to DC”.   Should that prove unfeasible, alternate starting and ending points are being considered and explored.  We cannot control the pandemic politics that may arise, but we can surely work around them as best we can to “Continue The Mission”.  We will not give up on the Mission and I ask you to also “Keep The faith”.  

If you have been following the ordeal of one of our SR Road Guards, Mike “Ten Bears” Dobson, you’ll know that he is out of the ICU and on his way to rehab.  He has put up one hell of a fight.  I am sure that he would love some get well wishes from everyone.  You can mail them to: 

Cornerstone Specialty Hospital, 1900 S Gordon Cooper Dr., Room 212A, Shawnee, OK 74801

Prayers have been answered, Please continue to Pray for ALL who are struggling at this time.

Lastly, from Diane and I, we wish you Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Thanksgiving 2021 Special

 

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL RFTW Riders and Friends.

In a little over a month, we’ll be into 2022.   We have less than 180 days before Kick Stands Up.   It is never too early to start preparing for the Run.  It’s a good time to assess your personal health.  It wouldn’t hurt to make an appointment with your doctor for that checkup you’ve been putting off.  Be proactive.

In the past few months, I have had Friends, Neighbors and Fellow Riders who are suffering from accidents, cancers, neurological diseases, and complications from Covid.  Some are in the battling for their lives, right Now.  I have posted several Prayer Requests, which you all have answered, and I am very grateful for that.   If God has graced you with good health, that is one more reason to give thanks. 

To help you FNGs be better prepared, we have scheduled an RFTW FNG Town Hall on Zoom for December 16 starting at 4:30PM Pacific.  All registered FNGs should have received an email invite.  If you are interested in attending, drop me an email and I will send you an invitation.

We are still looking for some more volunteers for the Southern Route 2022 Run.   Visit Southern Route Volunteers for the Prerequisites and Volunteer Form. 

On this Thanksgiving Day I am also thankful for the Hard Work and Dedication from ALL of our Volunteer and Supporter Patriots that work throughout the year to make the Run happen.  A HUGE THANK YOU from My Family to Yours.

October, 2021 Part 2

 

Greetings and Happy Nevada Day,

Riders have asked me why Nevada is the Battle Born State.  Well it’s because it was the only state admitted into the Union during the Civil War, October 31, 1864.

First, I would like to announce that the  Southern Route Volunteer Portal is open.  If you are interested in being a part of one of our support teams, just click in the link.   There you will find descriptions of the qualifications for each specific team.  Keep in mind that FNGs are barred from volunteering, as we feel it would spoil the first-year experience.  Some teams currently have few or no openings.  History has told us that roster changes are inevitable as time passes, so standbys are important.

Secondly, stop by the RFTW Merchandise Shop new things are being added and there are Closeout items offered at a discount. 

I also want to remind everyone that we are still working on and planning Plan A.  Which is to run the Southern Route as we have in the past from LA to DC.  Our only change is our Day 1 evening stop is now Casa Grande, AZ.  Alternate plans are being discussed, but our primary focus is still Plan A.  Any alternate plan would include the majority of our traditional route.  Like it or not, we must comply with governmental restrictions in the areas we travel.   Compared to May, the situation is much improved, and I am optimistic that over time it will be even better for us.

Remember to be Semper Gumby (Always Flexible)

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy & Happy Halloween

October, 2021

 

 

Greetings RFTW Family,

I realize that it is closer to Halloween than Thanksgiving but, I have some Thanks that I’d like to share.  First Thanks goes to Cowboy and Sam for what I hear was an outstanding TX Riders’ Reunion.  Sorry we didn’t make it.  Secondly, I’d like to thank Kris Wood our Assistant Route Coordinator for handling the Route Leadership responsibilities. 

We cannot Thank Lori and Bill Schaeffler enough.  They invited us to stay at their place on our way to the reunion. While parking the rig a power steering hose fitting popped off.  After popping it back in and adding a big ziptie for good measure, it leaked.  After driving all over the greater Tucson area we found the part we were looking for.  After putting it all back together, no leaks, Yay!  Well, it lasted nearly 300 miles, leaving me with no power steering or brakes a battery light and high coolant temp warning.  We made it off the interstate and on to a frontage road.  Calls to roadside assistance were next.  Special shout out to Chad O’Dell for his suggestions.

We owe a big Thank You to Arthur “Double A” Ambriz, when our RV broke down just outside Las Cruces, NM, he volunteered to get our 20’ trailer and store it at his place until we picked it up on Saturday. 

Last and certainly not least, Hal “Grumpy” Du Puy and his lovely wife Susie for showing us True Texas hospitality, and by being our transportation and taking care of us during our 10 days stay in El Paso, TX.

Diane, Jasmine (our 13 year old puppy) and I made it home Sunday, the RV is still in the shop in El Paso awaiting parts.  We appreciate all the help, concern and well wishes from everyone.

Now, I’ve said all that to say all this, OUR RFTW Family is the Best. 

The most recent RFTW President’s Message  https://rftw.us/category/president-messages/   has the details for our first, in partnership with Operation Family Fund,  Homes For Our Troops event.  It will be a Kickoff Ceremony for Marine LCpl Retired Kevin Honaker.  It will take place in Sparta TN on the October 23^rd weekend.  If you are in the area and can attend, please register for the event using the link in the message.

Route Registration has been brisk to date, your enthusiasm is showing.  As we look forward to May, 2022, Route Leadership is hard at work planning for a successful Run.  Is it May yet?

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Positive….

September, 2021

 

Hello from The Battle Born State,

Here we are recovering from a hot but dry 2200+ mile round trip to New Mexico.  In the middle was an Awesome RFTW Angel Fire Reunion.  The planning was perfect, the weather was Cinderella, just right.  Hats off to the Central Route organizers.  Thanks to the hard work and preparation, we were able to place over 800 commemorative bricks along the pathways.  That number is twice the normal.  Bravo Zulu to ALL.  More proof that Teamwork Makes the Dream Work.  It was nice to see many Southern and Midway Riders in attendance.  If you haven’t already, pencil next Labor Day weekend for Angel Fire on your calendar.

Now it’s time to clean everything up to get ready for the RFTW TX Riders Reunion in Kerrville.  Looks like some GREAT RIDES are planned and Good Eats.  I hope to see All Y’all there.  It’s not too late.

But before that there is one more thing to do.  Saturday morning September 11, 2021, RFTW 2022 Registration opens.  This day marks 20 years since the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center Twin Towers, the Pentagon; and the day the passengers of Flight 93 sacrificed their lives to save unknown others.  I don’t care if it has been 1, 5, 10, 20 or 50 years; that day and those images are burned into my mind.  I can Never Forget.  I’m sure that I am not alone. 

We Ride For Those Who Can’t…… to Honor Our Fallen, Remember Their Sacrifice.

Until we ride again. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Positive.

August, 2021

 

Greetings from Smoky Nevada,

I am sad to have to report that we have lost another RFTW & Southern Route Rider, CVMA Brother, Leader and Friend.  Jim “Taillight” Drieth.  Taillight passed away on 7/31, he was a long-time member of our Southern Route Advance Team.  Rest In Peace Brother, you will be Missed, but Not Forgotten.

Between the pandemic restriction, 100+ degree temps and the smoke from wildfires, it is hard to get any serious riding in.  I see via Facebook that many of you have found ways to overcome, That’s Great.  We need to keep our riding skills sharp, so ride when you can. 

The details for the Angel Fire and TX Riders Reunions have been published. Confetti and I are hoping to see many of you there. 

The Homes For Our Troops donations are in.  With the $50k matching donation from the Operation Family Foundation we have raised over $100,000.  These monies will be spread over several deserving Disabled Veterans to build homes adapted for their specific needs.  There will be more information forthcoming.  Also, there will be opportunities for us to participate in presentations at each home across the country.  They are in states where the majority of our riders live.   Just another reason to get together for an Awesome cause. 

We have challenges ahead of us planning for the Run in 2022. The pandemic restrictions which caused us to postpone RFTW XXXII, are ever changing and impossible to predict.   All 4 Route Coordinators, along with their leadership and the RFTW Board of Directors are fully committed to the Mission.  “What can we do?”, you ask.  I urge all of you to consult with your doctor to consider getting vaccinated.  It may be the best thing for the greater good.

Just a reminder, Registration opens on September 11, 2021.  Everyone needs to register.  The registration process will be fully automated to make it easier and more efficient.

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Positive

July, 2021

 

Greetings from the Battle Born State,

It has been about a month since I asked all of our RFTW Prayer Warriors to direct the Awesome Power of Prayer to comfort and heal Will Schaeffler after a terrible motorcycle accident.  Will is the son of our Arizona State Coordinator Lori Ann “Leggs” and Bill “Jumper” Schaeffler.  At that time, his survival was in doubt due to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).  By the Grace of God and the expertise of stellar Medical Staff, he is on the mend.  He is still dealing with the effects from the TBI.  The Road to Recovery will be a long one.  Bills and other payments still need to be paid and his home will need some modifications to assist his rehab once he is allowed to go home.  It is too early to say when that might be.

There is a fundraiser for William tonight, July 8^th, starting @ 9PM – ?? at “Cowpony” located at 6510 E Tanque Verde Rd in Tucson AZ.   If you cannot attend and would like to help Will’s Family, Lori said you can send donations directly to her.  There are 2 ways: Zelle to lschaeffler@comcast.net or Apple Pay to 520-490-7612.  Any amount will make a difference.  Thank You.