Greetings from the Battle Born State. After the long drive back from Texas and a day to recuperate, back to Southern Route “coordinating”. On behalf of ALL the riders in attendance, I would like to Thank Cowboy and Sam, their legion of helpers, Heart O’ The Hills VFW Post 1480 and the Y-O Ranch Hotel for another Outstanding and Entertaining RFTW Kerrville TX Reunion. Next year’s reunion is scheduled for September 25 – 27, 2020, so mark your calendar.
Congratulations to Billie “Bugs” Dunlap (2019 SR RC) & Ken “Six String” Dugas (2020 MR RC) on their selections as 2020 Sandbox Route RC and ARC respectively.
Announcements
Our Day 1 overnight stop in 2020, has been changed to Casa Grande, AZ. This change will allow us to bypass the Phoenix afternoon and morning rush hour. And for the first time in a long time we will be able to eat indoors, out of the heat. More information will come as we work out the final details. I cannot Thank our “A”Z Team of State Coordinators enough for all of their hard work making this change possible. I love it when a plan comes together.
That’s the good news. The downside is it adds about 45 miles to our Day 1 ride. But, by averting downtown Phoenix commuter traffic, we should avoid any stop-n-go situations. We will endeavor to increase time at our fuel stops allow for additional hydration.
The Leadership and Support Teams rosters are nearly complete. A contact list is posted on the rftw.us Southern Route Hub. A list of reserves (not shown) is kept by team leaders to fill inevitable vacancies. A Big Thank You to all who volunteered.
Southern Route 2020 Pre-Registration have already exceeded 160. I encourage you to register early, it really helps the planning efforts. Our State Coordinators are working hard to secure great hotel rates and working with our supporters at every stop along the Southern Route. Their behind the scenes efforts are vital to Our Mission’s success. Be sure to thank them when you see them.
Confetti and I just got back from the RFTW Angel Fire Reunion. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial there is such a spectacular place. Not to mention the ride to and from there. I was glad to see so many Southern Route riders, together we laid 513 bricks. There were several MOH recipients honored and a special tribute section to Gump’s unit the 507th Maintenance Company, Iraqi Freedom. I was honored to carry the brick for his fallen comrade Brandon Sloan. There are tons of pictures and videos posted on the RFTW Facebook page. Mark your calendar for next year, Labor Day weekend.
Now it’s time to get ready for the Kerrville Reunion. Looks like there are rides planned for Friday and Saturday. Yeah! I hope y’all can make it. The reunions are what keep us charged up between Mays.
Team rosters are filling up, check the Southern Route Hub, Contact List for the most current information. Many of you have used the online Volunteer Sign-up, there is no need to do it multiple times. Be sure that you meet the eligibility requirements before volunteering.
A review of all submitted After-Action Reports (AARs) has been completed and many recommendations resulted. Some of these will be reflected as changes noticeable in the current route plan. While others may take longer to develop or require further study. Your AAR is your chance to let leadership know what went well and what did not.
Our Board of Directors and CA State Coordinators are working diligently to secure a better host hotel situation in Ontario for 2020. And if things go according to plan, and they always do, we should have a hydration trailer in Ontario. So, there will be no excuses for riders not being properly hydrated. The first few days on Southern Route can be especially Hot & Dry, and if the past is any indicator, Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate will be heard at every stop. Ultimately it is your responsibility to take care of yourself.
As you might guess, the Southern Route Leadership Team is busy planning every step of our Mission for 2020. You may notice that the leadership list will be a little smaller. We are eliminating and combining some positions. Each Team Leader is currently filling their rosters. Once they are firmed up, I will update the Contacts page on our Hub. Use the Volunteer Sign-Up Form on the Hub if you would like to offer your services.
Southern Route is considering a couple of new positions, if the right volunteers can be found. One is a Chase Vehicle for Outreach Missions. Ideally a pickup with a trailer capable of transporting 1-2 motorcycles. The reason for a smaller rig is that many of the Outreach locations have very limited parking and traverse narrow and winding roads.
The other is similarly related, Outreach Medic, a rider with recent EMT or related medical experience and current credentials. This position would require vetting, by our Medical Team.
In each case the volunteer should have; Ridden the Southern Route ATW at least twice, Have their own equipment and supplies, The intent of going ATW on Southern Route in 2020. If you are interested in either of these positions, please contact me directly via email with a short bio of your qualifications and RFTW experience.
In other news, it’s Reunion Season! Check out all the reunions and regional gathering information in the rftw.us website Forum section. These are open to Past, Present, Future and other interested riders. They are a great time to get together with other riders in a less hectic environment than during the Run. I’d like to thank those folks who organize the events for us to enjoy. You can show your support by attending as many as can. All Routes are Welcome!
Bob “Captain America” Nelson
Southern Route Coordinator Run For The Wall XXXII 2020
I am truly honored to have been confirmed by the Board of Directors to be your Run For The Wall XXXII 2020, Southern Route Coordinator.
For those who do not know me; I am a Vietnam Veteran (US Navy ’72- “73), Afghanistan Veteran (US Army 2003) and a retired US Army soldier in 2010. I was a Run For The Wall FNG in 2004, 2020 will be my will be my 12thAll The Way on the Southern Route. I have been in all platoon leadership positions, including Platoon Coordinator. In 2018 I started as a RGIT and ended as a Road Guard. For my 2019 Mission, I served as Assistant Route Coordinator alongside our RFTW XXXIRoute Coordinator, Billie “Bugs” Dunlap. I would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to “Bugs”for his leadership and guidance, which has given me the confidence to take over the helm of an Outstanding leadership team.
This just in…. it is my pleasure to announce that the Run For The Wall Board of Directors has confirmed Kristine “Eyes” Wood to be Run For The Wall XXXII 2020, Southern Route, Assistant Route Coordinator. Kris has been an integral part of Run For The Wall leadership for many years now. She too, has served in all platoon leadership positions. Also “Eyes” has reported the Southern Route spirit in her sitreps for the past three Missions. She has immense dedication to the Mission as evidenced by her authoring Run for the Wall – a Journey to the Vietnam Memorial. Please congratulate Kris when you get a chance and give her the same enthusiastic support, I’ve enjoyed this past year.
Our goal is to make our Mission as Safe and Stress Free as possible.
We will build from the great success of our 2019 Mission. Many of our senior leaders will be returning to provide continuity and experience.
Road Guard Captain – Bob “Captain” Mazzone
Platoon Coordinator – Vic “Big Vic” Killion
Senior Chaplain – Jerry “Partner” Plent
Fuel Team Lead – Curt “Stitch” Bancroft
Staging Team Lead – Steve “Dragon” Edmonds
Ambassador Team Lead – Dave “Huey” Palmer
Registration Lead – Shirley “Top Sarge” Scott
Merchandise Lead – Carol Olmstead
Outreach Visitation – Karoni “Hoops” Forrester
And many others…
The Southern Route Online Volunteer Formshould go livevery soon.
Watch the www.rftw.us website for the announcement.
Bob “Captain America” Nelson Southern Route Coordinator Run For The Wall XXXII 2020
RFTW SR RC Newsletter – June 2019 – RFTW XXXI Wrap-up
Greetings from Weatherford, Texas!
When we gathered in Parking Lot D in Ontario, I remember speaking of how quickly the next 10 days would pass and how we should embrace and savor the time we have with each other on the Run. Well not only did those days fly by, now looking back over the past 12 months I see a whirlwind of scenes in my mind as the days, weeks and months were spent in joyful preparation and anticipation of those 10 days. And those 10 days were the experience of a lifetime! It has been a great honor and a truly humbling experience to serve as your Southern Route Coordinator. The timing for me was perfect as I transitioned out of active service retiring from the Navy Reserve last July and was able to roll into service to my Veteran Community and Family through this great organization. Now it is time to take the next step and hand over the lead…
I am very proud to announce that the RFTW Board of Directors has now confirmed your next Southern Route Coordinator…
Bob “Captain America” Nelson
Bob served as the Assistant Route Coordinator for RFTW XXXI and was right up front with me for every aspect of planning for that Run. He is assembling a Leadership team that will review the great successes and the “others” to improve on our mission capabilities and the support to our riders. Bob is a very experienced RFTW Rider and a very capable leader in whose care I will confidently hand the reigns of command for the Southern Route.
In closing, I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the hundreds of volunteers who selflessly gave of their time, effort, talent and treasure to make the Southern Route of RFTW XXXI such an overwhelming success. I may have had the privilege of riding at the front, but all of you led the pack with your caring and generosity that touched so many lives along the way. TOGETHER WE made a difference. As I have said before, the success of our mission may be measured in the way we make a difference for the people we meet. This is why WE RIDE.
Regardless of the separation we experience before the next Run, all roads are connected. So, wherever you are now and always…
TOGETHER WE RIDE!
I look forward to seeing you all again soon, somewhere down the road…
Today we are less than 4 weeks away from KSU! Through the past 11 months of hard work and preparation, your leadership team has ensured the plans for Southern Route have been set, checked and re-checked. In this last month, they are taking the opportunity to make small adjustments and improvements that will pay off for us all on the Run next month.
Last month’s message was all about getting ready. I won’t repeat those lines here, but I do want to STRONGLY EMPHASIZE the part about having ALL your registration paperwork available in hand when you check in – especially if you are planning to check in with minors!
Our 11th Platoon Leader, Angie “Den Mother” Uhler wrote a great Facebook Article about many preparation tasks including bike preparation and packing/repacking to ensure you can actually carry all that you may need. She also presented a great suggestion that Riders print out the Emergency Medical Form and fill it out prior to arrival to ensure it is correct, complete, legible and ready to go in your lanyard pouch. You can find that form at the following link on our web site: “https://rftw.us/emergency-information-form-2”.
So with this month’s message, I’m not going to dive further into the minute details of what everyone needs to do to get their bikes and themselves ready for the Run. There are dozens of those messages out there already. I want to spend this last Newsletter focusing on why we ride…
While producing this year’s Southern Route video, I was moved by thoughts of experiences on the Run, conversations with Gunny about the early days and conversations with my mentors about finding the focus of the Mission. Seeing Gunny’s 1989 interview video brought all those things into clear view, and that focus was made stronger than ever. It’s something about which I’ve written often as a continuous underlying theme of why we do what we do. It’s about people – our family. Family by blood, family by oath, family by service, family by shared adversity, extended family, our family’s family, our missing family, our lost family. Our family that loves deeply, supports courageously, defends honorably, gives generously and prays incessantly. That’s why when Gunny mentions LtCol Higgins or Col Shelton and asks “Where are they?” it doesn’t matter that you don’t know them – because you know them. They are family and we don’t leave family to suffer at the hands of those we know seek to do them harm. After the disappearance of loved ones, we don’t leave family alone to wonder, “Where are they?” We don’t leave our active service members to wonder if their sacrifice is worth the cost. And we don’t leave our honored service members returning from the life changing experience of combat to deal with the healing without the support. Those are the applications of our mission statement and when we ride for those who can’t, THIS is why we ride.
As I’ve said before, we all have stories about what brought us to the Run and the strong urge to reconnect with our family is what brings us back. While we’re all together for this glorious 10 days of reunion, remembrance and renewal, I urge everyone to savor every moment, because you all know it will pass much too quickly.
For all those who have gone before, those with us now and those who would be here if they could…
TOGETHER WEcan make a difference! This is why WE RIDE!
It’s just 60 days and a wake-up before we are KSU on RFTW XXXI! Are you ready? While we still have time, here are a few important issues that should catch your attention…
Registration on line – Some people like to wait till it’s closer to the event, but keep in mind that the $30 fee goes up to $50 at midnight on April 30th.
Check-in to the Run – When you check in at Ontario or at any location after that, you MUST HAVE ALL YOUR PAPERWORK available for the registration team to review. That means current Driver’s License, Registration, Insurance, etc. If you don’t, then you won’t be checked in and you won’t get an arm band or handlebar ribbon.
Minors on the Run – Read the Minor Registration Policy very carefully and comply to the letter or that minor will not be checked in on the Run. Keep in mind that the Policy may require notarization of the Minor Release Form – if required by the policy, that notarization cannot be waived.
RAFFLE ROUSER – We still need a Raffle Rouser for the Southern Route – it’s the last open job on the roster. There are some very impressive items for the Raffle this year – if you’d like to be a part of the fundraising process and get more involved in the workings of the Run, this may be the step you’re looking for. It’s a great way to meet EVERYONE on the Southern Route!
Mechanical Condition – Be sure your bike is in good condition for a 3000 mile ride. Tires, oil change, scheduled servicing will all be available somewhere along the way but doing it during the 10 days of the Run will take away valuable time you would otherwise have available for the Mission.
Physical Condition – The Run always includes long, hot, cold, dry, wet, misty, enjoyable days on the road. Be sure that your mortal engine is ready for the long haul as well. Some people start hydrating early so they get used to holding more water – your choice, but be prepared to drink a lot of water along the way!
Mental Condition – I’ve written a lot about PMA – Positive Mental Attitude. Keeping that in mind, we all bring our own ideas and expectations for what the Run will mean to us and what we would like to get out of it. Be positive, talk positive and share positive with others. For me, this positively incredible event is a 10 day family reunion with a purpose and a Mission Statement of Healing, Accounting, Honor and Support and I have high expectations!
A pastor once told me the key to success for an organization is relationships. That translates to people. Some of us have close relationships with our bikes (OK, understandable) but the relationships we have with the people of our Run family is what makes us – what makes Run For The Wall – a lasting and effective organization. It takes all of us with the diversity of our abilities and talents to touch on the various tenets of our Mission Statement. To mention a few, I think of Jerry “Partner” Plent and M25’s work to watch the overall physical, emotional and spiritual well being of our riders to promote a healing environment. I think of Gunny’s words from the 1989 1st Run video interview to call for accounting, naming names and asking “Where the #&!% are they?” I think of Joe “Gump” Hudson’s work as our Missing Man Coordinator and the memorial visits to honor the memory of fallen soldiers. I think of Karoni “Hoops” Forrester and her dedication to family visits in support of our past and present military personnel. Whatever your abilities and talents, there is someone on this Run for whom you will be the face of the Mission. That same pastor I mentioned above reminded me that sometimes you minister, and sometimes you are ministered to. I believe that we all get a little of both on this pilgrimage – to heal and be healed. That’s what a family does…
TOGETHER WE make this Run more valuable than the sum of our separate efforts could ever be. TOGETHER WE execute all aspects of this Mission and touch the hearts and minds of Patriotic Americans across this great land. “TOGETHER WE” depends on all of us planning ahead to complete all aspects of preparation from paperwork to mental readiness as we come together in May to RIDE FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T!
I have heard and provided alternate lodging info to about 90% of the folks who lost rooms at the Comfort Suites in Grand Prairie. As promised a week ago today, below is the info that was provided to those who contacted me…
La Quinta Inn, 2131 W. Interstate 20, Grand Prairie, Tx 214-412-3220
25 rooms at $99.00/night + tax
Heritage Inn, 2615 Outlet Pkwy, Grand Prairie, Tx 972-623-1998
15 rooms at $69.00/night + tax
I was told that the La Quinta may be full now, but it has not been confirmed.
Big THANK YOU to our North Texas State Coordinator, Mary Anne Hand for acting quickly to secure group rates for alternate lodging when we found that our Host Hotel was cancelling rooms.
****UPDATE 19FEB2019 – See “On a happier note…” section below****
99 Southern Route Riders,
If you have a Southern Route Day 4 lodging reservation at the Host Hotel, Comfort Inn & Suites in Grand Prairie for the night of Saturday, 18 MAY 2019… your lodging is in jeopardy. We have just learned that the property will be undergoing renovations and a change of ownership and they will not be able to accommodate all of the reservations that they have accepted for our stop in Grand Prairie.
Please call them and check on your reservation. If AFTER you call them, you find that you no longer have a confirmed room there, we have already arranged another group lodging rate at a nearby property. Please write an e-mail to me and/or the ARC and/or the North Texas State Coordinator CONFIRMING that 1. You HAD a reservation at the Comfort Inn in Grand Prairie and 2. They told you that your reservation has been cancelled. If you convey in an e-mail that both of those apply to you, we have an alternate lodging location for you. On Monday, 25 FEB 2019, I will publish to the SR Hotel list those additional group rate arrangements so that anyone may have access.
On a happier note… (**** UPDATE 19FEB2019****)
We also just learned that the Comfort In & Suites in Odessa, TX has lowered their nightly rate for our stay there to $119. We were just notified that they’ve lowered the nightly rate AGAIN to $99 saying they “…wanted to do more for these Patriots!” Still no action required on your part if you already have a reservation – the new rate should be retroactive to your previous arrangement. If you don’t have a reservation – there may still be rooms available… See the Southern Route Hotel list for contact details.
Update on the Itinerary Book…
We have been working diligently to complete and compile the 2019 Southern Route Itinerary Book and it is very near completion. It should go to press in less than two weeks. A pdf version will be published on the Southern Route Hub just after it is accepted for print.
That’s all for now…
May is just around the corner, and there is plenty left to do – for all of us. Mental and emotional preparation for the Mission is just as important as the physical and mechanical. We always say “No Attitudes on the Run!” But I’m here to tell you that everyone coming on the Southern Route has this assignment – bring with you to Ontario the biggest bag of POSITIVE ATTITUDEthat you can carry. Bring enough to share. Bring enough to pass out some to everyone you meet along the way. Do that, and your bag will never go empty because the more POSITIVE ATTITUDE you take out to share, the fuller your bag will get! That’s how WE will work together. That’s how TOGETHER WE will make a POSITIVE difference in people’s lives along the way! That’s how WE RIDE!
…currently one of the few places in the U.S. not suffering from global warming, er, I mean the Polar Vortex FREEZE! My coldest ride ever was 22°F for the Big Texas Toy Run several years ago. I’m sure many of you will easily have that beat! Let us know in a reply – Who’s the toughest Polar Bear on the road? Just be safe out there family! Warmer riding days are coming, and I look forward to sharing them with you on the Run in May.
SR RC Welcome Video
The long-awaited Southern Route RC Welcome Video is almost complete and should be published very soon. Big thanks to my Daughter Cara “Bug” (FNG 2017) for being my Director/Videographer and to Gunny for providing some RFTW 1989 Interview footage. I believe we should all occasionally look back to where we started as a heading check towards where we’re going. I hope you’ll all enjoy watching.
50/50 & Raffle Rouser
There are two very important jobs still open on the Southern Route… We need a 50/50 Rouser and a Raffle Rouser – yes, I’d prefer two volunteers so that each can focus on one of the tasks. We’ll have some very impressive items for the Raffle this year and the 50/50 drawing every morning on the Run is always an exciting way to start the day. If you’d like to be a part of the fundraising process and get more involved in the workings of the Run, this may be the step you’re looking for. Besides, it’s a great way to meet EVERYONE on the Southern Route!
The Itinerary
We’ve been working hard to tweak the Itinerary to take advantage of some of the great comments received on the After Action Reports this summer. BIG THANKS to our Road Guard Captain for coordinating and confirming the entire route and to our ARC for participating in the detailed review sessions. It’s not just a cut and paste from last year – we plan ahead for known upcoming highway construction and for changes in our fuel stops – we’ve had a few Gas Stations close or that will be under construction! The Itinerary book goes to press at the end of March and will be released in digital form as soon as it does. I can tell you that for general planning purposes, the basic route, lunch stops and daily destinations are very much like last year’s plan.
Phone Calls & Texts
As we get closer to May, things start moving faster in the planning world. With so many FNG’s (Welcome Home!) coming out for the Run this year there are bound to be questions. Most all critical info and a lot of good gouge and planning info are available on the rftw.us website. But I do get the occasional call or text asking some basic questions, because as hard as we try, someone will think of something we didn’t cover. So, if you urgently need a piece of info that is nowhere to be found, your ARC and I are here to help. Just introduce yourself and ask away – I don’t have everyone’s phone number in my contact list – yet!
Track the Pack during the Run
Last year, we were fortunate to have the use of Scout GPS Trackers (findmyscout.com) to help us keep real time location on the pack. This year, we’ll be working with the good folks at Scout again and will be equipped with their latest updated systems. There will be a link on the rftw.us website that may be used to find where the pack is at any point along the Run. We hope this is especially useful for our supporters along the roads and bridges as well as for our advance teams as we approach fueling stops and staging areas. Look for the link on the website as we get closer to May and plan to use it!
The Mission
So, the Vietnam War ended almost 44 years ago – at least according to our government – the Korean War ended (sort of) almost 66 years ago. So why is it so important that we keep pushing forward to keep this mission alive?
First of all, the termination of hostilities and even the declaration of Armistice ends only the active involvement of national conflict. The “War” is endured in the hearts and minds of those personally involved and I don’t mean only those in service. Everyone who has served in uniform or as a civilian had someone back home that was just as deeply affected. Especially so, if those in service did not return. The focus of our Mission is on people – even a quick glance at the RFTW Mission Statement makes that obvious. When that mission statement is boiled down to its base, we can see that it is borne of one of the oldest creeds of the “Brotherhood of Arms” – LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND. For us, “NO ONE” – includes family and friends.
Secondly, our collective attention to the issue of those left behind is important to help keep the people of our country and of our government aware that we have NOT FORGOTTEN. In an age where it appears most our politicians are more interested in staying in power and opposing people they don’t like, our unbiased attention to the real issues facing our patriotic citizens is more important than ever. I may not agree with how all our RFTW family members feel about political issues, but I will lock arms with all of them to keep the pressure on to bring home the TRUE Patriot who was lost or missing in the service of our great nation.
Finally, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (dpaa.mil) is an office in the Pentagon that is funded by our tax dollars and their mission must be kept in the spotlight! Whether you love them or hate them, the DPAA is a staffed and funded function of our military infrastructure and they are moving forward. From the latest stats published by the DPAA, the numbers of missing are as follows…
________________Missing as of 25JAN2019______Accounted for in 2018_
World War 2: 72,747 160
Korean War: 7,671 43
Vietnam War: 1,590 11
Gulf War: 5 0
I was encouraged to see that 88 of those recovered from WW2 are from Pearl Harbor – the USS Arizona Memorial Site there is as sacred to a Sailor as the Alamo is to any Texan. It is also worth noting that of the more than 82,000 missing, 75% were lost in the Indo-Pacific region, and over 41,000 of the missing are presumed lost at sea. The bottom line is that we are not just shouting in the wilderness – there is an agency working for us to seek out and recover our missing. We are the watchdogs. We must help keep the focus where it belongs so that the spark of hope can become the warmth of closure for our honored POW/MIA Families.
NOTICE: Previous year’s route itineraries are provided as archival reference/examples only. Specific details including exact route, stops, hotels, etc are dynamic and change from year to year. Current year route itineraries are typically released in March. Only the current year Route Itinerary should be used to plan your trip.
REGISTRATION LOGIN: Due to security and privacy concerns there is NO ACCOUNT created when you register for Run for the Wall. Account logins are for merchandise purchase ONLY. Registration is a completely separate system and we do not offer any level of user access to this system. If you have a question regarding your registration or you need to make a change, please email [email protected].
NOTICE: Previous year’s route itineraries are provided as archival reference/examples only. Specific details including exact route, stops, hotels, etc are dynamic and change from year to year. Current year route itineraries are typically released in March. Only the current year Route Itinerary should be used to plan your trip.
NOTICE: Previous year’s route itineraries are provided as archival reference/examples only. Specific details including exact route, stops, hotels, etc are dynamic and change from year to year. Current year route itineraries are typically released in March. Only the current year Route Itinerary should be used to plan your trip.
NOTICE: Previous year’s route itineraries are provided as archival reference/examples only. Specific details including exact route, stops, hotels, etc are dynamic and change from year to year. Current year route itineraries are typically released in March. Only the current year Route Itinerary should be used to plan your trip.
