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Southern Route 2027 Intro – Route Coordinator

RFTW Southern Route

Run For The Wall XXXVII – Southern Route

Route Coordinator – Kevin “Short” Short

Greetings, RFTW Family, from sunny and very warm Southern California!

It is both an honor and a privilege to have been nominated and approved as the Southern Route Coordinator for Run For The Wall XXXVII (2027). Having recently completed my service as the Assistant Route Coordinator for the Southern Route in 2026, I am truly humbled by the confidence placed in me to serve in this role.

As a proud patriot, I cannot adequately express the gratitude and respect I hold for those who have served and continue to serve our nation. Military service has been a significant part of my family’s history, including my grandfather, father, uncle, son, and nephew. Because of their service and sacrifice, our family understands the meaning behind the words:

“All gave some, some gave all.” 

“Freedom Isn’t Free” 

Run for the Wall Mission Statement

To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.                         “Welcome Home”  

 

My wife, Sharon, and I are deeply committed to supporting veterans, their families, and their friends. Sharon volunteers throughout the week at our local VA facility, and we both understand the importance of the Run For The Wall mission.

Over the years, we have witnessed the healing, camaraderie, and life-changing experiences this mission provides. We have embraced the mission and the incredible family that is Run For The Wall. Make no mistake—RFTW is a family, and we never take that responsibility lightly. As we continue to grow each year, it is our duty to preserve the values, traditions, and purpose that make this mission so special.

My RFTW Journey

FNG Year

    •      Southern Route – 2019

Route Participation

      •      Southern Route All The Way – 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
      •      Sandbox Route All The Way – 2023
      •      Wall-to-Wall Flag Escort Participant – 2020
      •      Patti’s Posse All The Way – 2021

Volunteer Leadership Roles

      •      1st Platoon Tailgunner – 2022, 2023
      •      Assistant Platoon Leader, Support Platoon (Sandbox Route) – 2023
      •      Leadership Support, Sandbox Route – 2023
      •      Friends of Bill Coordinator – 2023, 2025
      •      Platoon Coordinator, Southern Route – 2024, 2025
      •      Assistant Route Coordinator, Southern Route – 2026

Assistant Route Coordinator and Road Guard Captain

I am proud to announce that the Run For The Wall Executive Board has approved my nominations for the 2027 Assistant Route Coordinator and Road Guard Captain positions.

Please join me in congratulating:

      •      Dave “Double D” Davis – Assistant Route Coordinator
      •      Christopher “Unplugged” Johnson – Road Guard Captain

Both individuals are exceptionally qualified for their respective positions. I have complete confidence that they will continue to uphold the RFTW mission with the professionalism, dedication, attention to detail, and respect these leadership roles require.

Thank you, Dave and Chris, for your willingness to serve and for accepting these important positions.

Run for the Wall Philosophy

We strive to maintain a safe, supportive and private atmosphere in which all participants can reflect and heal on their journey to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. and the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial in Marseilles, Illinois in the hope they can return home to a new beginning.

After Action Reports (AARs)

Each year, we review After Action Reports (AARs) to identify opportunities for improvement and enhance both the Route and the overall mission experience.

If you participated in Run For The Wall 2026 on any route, we encourage you to complete an AAR and share your experience. Whether you were a First-Time Rider (FNG) or a returning participant, your feedback matters. The Board of Directors and Route Coordinators carefully review every submission and use that input to strengthen the mission for future years.

Volunteers Needed

The continued success of Run For The Wall depends on dedicated volunteers.

Please consider serving in a leadership or volunteer position by completing a Volunteer Form. Even if you volunteered in previous years, we ask that you submit a new form as early as possible to indicate your interest in serving again.

We have opportunities in many areas, so please identify all positions that may interest you. Your willingness to serve helps ensure the success of our mission.

2026 FNGs (Friendly New Guys and Gals)

If 2026 was your first Run For The Wall experience, we would love to hear your story.

Please consider sharing, in your own words, what the mission meant to you and how the experience impacted your life. Your story can inspire future riders and help others understand the healing power of this mission.

What did you experience? What did you learn? How did RFTW affect you?

We encourage you to share your story. Please share your story here.

ALL RFTW RIDERS REUNION – Kerrville, TX
If you are so inclined, the ALL RFTW RIDERS REUNION (not an officially sanctioned event by RFTW) will be taking place in Kerrville, TX  2026. For additional information please see the TX Riders Reunion Facebook page or contact Phillip “Juice” Tutton at texasriderreunion@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at 903-556-1717.

Say Their Names, Tell Their Stories, Never forget! Live a Life worthy of their Sacrifice!

RFTW Southern Route Coordinator 2027

Kevin “Short” Short

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2026 SandBox SitRep – Day 1

This year will be a little different.  Patti (Mary) Bogan and Arnie (Ammo) Harman will be contributing to the SitRep writing, and I will be posting their pieces.  I will clearly note the author so they receive full credit for writing about their experience and observations from the 2026 SandBox Run.  It’s not an easy job to ride with the Pack and have to concentrate on tracking events and writing about them later on, often not getting enough sleep.  Hat’s off to both with a big Thank You! for the work.

From Patti Bogan:

Run For The Wall, Sandbox Route

SITREP May 24, 2026
Today the Sandbox mission began. Sandbox defines the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and involvement in the Gulf. This mission is considered Wall-to-Wall, from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in D.C. to the Middle East Conflicts Wall in Marseilles, Illinois. The route and destination serves to honor those who have sacrificed or have made the ultimate sacrifice in our nation’s most recent conflicts.
This year is the 35th anniversary of Desert Storm/Desert Shield. There were 382 U.S military personnel killed in these conflicts. We ride for them. We ride for those who can’t. We will say their names out loud.
Staging began at 0500. People are awaking at 0330 or so to make sure we are staged in the proper areas, get breakfast and get on the road by 0700. It’s organized chaos that works.
Raining. Still. Everyone is in rain gear so it’s hard to know who’s who.
Breakfast and staging was at the American Legion Post 176. They had a full hot breakfast.
Taz, our Outreach Coordinator, had a special guest for us. We heard from a Red Star Foundation member and widow Sarah Braegger. Her husband was Travis “Griz” Boyd.
She said that we need to tell the story.  Travis was a soldier, a father and a husband. His battles did not stay on the battlefield. They came home with him. Travis was more than his pain. He loved his children. But PTSD sometimes made him seem so far away.
In one broken moment, she said, he believed that his absence would protect the ones he loved. And in that broken moment he committed suicide. (If you’d like to know more about Sarah and Travis check out her Facebook page.)
The Red Star Foundation is a relatively new organization that is dedicated to helping the families of military service members, veterans and first responders who have lost a loved one to suicide.
The ride got off and two of us stopped at an overpass where a couple of folks were waiting to see the run go through. It’s always awesome to have family supporting the riders. And you get to meet some very nice folks.
Then it was gas and go to follow the Ambassador and Outreach teams to the Patriot Park Memorial.
It was a beautiful ride. A winding road, with rolling hills and the greenest of grass.
There was a huge painted barn. The paint was peeling but you could tell it had once been a gorgeous site along this road.
Then there was heavy fog. It was eerie as we kept rolling toward the Flight 93 Memorial. Misting rain added to the mysterious feeling.
We visited the Post 9-11 U. S. Armed Forces Memorial. It’s called Patriot Park. There are more than 7,000 heroes and more than 7,000 flags. There were photos of many who have died in the war on terrorism. It’s a solemn display and brings home the number of lives lost to this war.
As people wandered through the area and read about those who have been killed, the wind started to blow, gently rippling the flags. It was as though they knew we were there to pay our respects.
From there the group went to the
Flight 93 Memorial.  There’s extreme sadness. And extreme gladness. Sadness for the lives lost. Gladness for the lives saved. The sun came out as if to celebrate that we were here to honor, pay our respects and say their names.
Many remember. Four aircraft. Three crashing into the World Trade Center’s two towers and one into the Pentagon. The fourth, UA Flight 93, crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all aboard. Nearly 3,000 people died that day in the deadliest terrorist attack on American soul.
That day the passengers on Flight 93 passengers fought  back to keep the flight from making a deadly attack on another target, the Capital Building. While it still crashed the passengers heroic efforts stopped the terrorists from making an attack on their target.
The site of the crash is serene now, covered with grass and trees. A lone 17-ton piece of sandstone marks a visual reference. But it’s the marker for all of the unidentified passengers and crew. The flight came in about 25 feet in front of the stone, at 563 mph.
The Wall of Names distinguishes each of the 40 passengers in individual marble panels. Say their names never forget.
The weather has been cooperative up until shortly after our afternoon fuel stop. The closer we got to St, Clairesville, Ohio, the worse it got. Heavier and heavier rain. But a great event awaited us.
Dinner was fabulous at the Ohio Valley Mall and was followed by recognition of those who have provided for us and a donation to Sandbox.  There was a live auction with the big item being a quilt … Stars and Stripes … that went for nearly a grand. There were a number of other items and it was quite lively.
  • “The desert takes our dreams away from us, and they don’t always return. Those who don’t return become a part of the clouds. They become part of everything.” — Paulo Coelho (from The Alchemist)
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December 2025 Sandbox Route Coordinator Newsletter

Dear Sandbox Riders, Families, and Friends,

It’s hard to believe 2025 is almost over!  Planning and preparation for RFTW Sandbox Route 2026 is well underway, with State Coordinators working hard to ensure our supporters are fully prepared for our arrival in May.  Our Team Leaders are busy getting their teams together and doing the things that will make us successful as we execute the 5th running of Sandbox Route next year.  We still have openings available in all teams, so if you’d like to contribute to RFTW in a meaningful way, fill out a Volunteer Application on the website, and we’ll get back to you ASAP!

The Wall

Our final destination is the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial (MECWM), located in Marseilles, Illinois.  This tribute to brave US servicemembers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts since 1967 includes over 8,000 names engraved on granite slabs along the banks of the Illinois River.  It is a memorial to “those who lost their lives in various conflicts, including Panama, Lebanon, the Balkans, Grenada, Somalia, Haiti, USS Victory, USS Cole, USS Stark, the terrorist attacks in Italy, Greece, Scotland, and the War on Terror” (www.middleeastconflictswallmemorial.org).

The MECWM is the first U.S. War Monument established while the conflicts are ongoing and is a living memorial, with names added every year.  It was established in 2004 on private land, with private funds by members of the Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.  These patriots observed anti-war protests forming in Chicago in 2002 and continuing through the course of the Global War on Terror.  Through their hard work and dedication, the MECWM was built entirely by volunteers as “a heartfelt tribute to the brave men and women who sacrificed to protect our freedom.”

The Wall is a powerful place.  It is solemn and profound and affects everybody in different ways.  Whether you know someone memorialized in the granite or not, you can feel the energy of this heartfelt tribute and begin to understand the cost of our freedom.  Many of our riders have a close, personal connection to this memorial, and much like the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in D.C., it can have a strong emotional impact that demands our respect.  It is up to us to prepare for this experience and help those who may be affected by it.  Say their names, never forget!  This is why we ride.

Prepaid Fuel

As we did last year, prepaid fuel will be mandatory for all Sandbox riders this year.  This system allows for a significantly expedited process at the pumps, which results in more time for riders to take care of themselves at each fuel stop.  The cost will be very similar to last year, but won’t be available until early 2026, as we monitor fuel prices approaching the summer of 2026.

Volunteers Needed

We have some critical positions that need to be filled before we go kickstands up in May.  Although Peppermint Patty has agreed to be our Sitrep writer and Social Media Coordinator, I’d like to find someone to help her with those positions, preferably the Social Media Coordinator.  If you understand how to get our message out on various social media platforms, representing Sandbox Route and RFTW in a positive light, and would be willing to help, please contact me ASAP.

We’re also looking for someone to help with 50/50 drawings, a position commonly referred to as the “50/50 Rouser.”  This position involves selling drawing tickets while on the Run, giving our participants an opportunity to win 50% of the money taken in.  The other 50% will be added to our Route funds and will be used for charitable donations along the route.  This fundraising, combined with auctions and generous donations, is essential to our success as a Route.  Every little bit helps, so please carry cash and give as much as you can!

We’re also looking for someone to act as our “Friends of Bill W.” coordinator.  This is a very specific position, requiring specialized knowledge and experience.  Only individuals who are familiar with and involved in this program should apply.

Registration

Registration numbers continue to track slightly lower than they were at this time last year.  Our registration fee this year is $40 per person until January 31, when it will increase to $60.  Please take advantage of this “Early Bird Registration” program by getting registered by the end of January.  Your early registration will also allow us to keep our supporters informed of our projected numbers so they can plan accordingly.  Another benefit of early registration is your early assignment to a team or platoon.  This will allow our leaders to contact you, answer any questions, and help you get prepared for May.

Fundraising

We’re still looking for collectible, unique items that we can use to help us raise funds to support our mission.  If you know of anybody who might be able to donate such items, please let them know it would be very much appreciated and help us make donations of our own to our supporters and other worthwhile charitable organizations we encounter along the way.  Once we get items together, we’ll decide how they can best support us and figure out a way to offer them to our riders through auctions and drawings.

I encourage you to keep working on your personal preparation as you enjoy the holiday season.  Now is the time as we approach the end of 2025, with May just around the corner!

Have a great December, and I look forward to seeing you all next year!

Leo “Clutch” Rachmel
Run For The Wall XXXVI
Sandbox Route Coordinator

 

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Issue with Online Store

The online store is currently facing a technical issue for anyone trying to add product(s) to the cart. I’m working through this and will update you on when this is resolved.

I appreciate your patience as we continue the integration with the new eCommerce platform.

Best regards,
Alan “Xbox” Steiner
Director of Merchandise
Run For The Wall
https://rftw.us

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Midway Route Day 3, Albuquerque, NM to Amarillo, TX

The sun is down, the bikes are silent as we close day 3 of the Midway Route of Run For The Wall 2025.

Starting this morning with crisp air and clear blue skies at Rich Ford in Albuquerque, NM, all of the riders were treated to a hot New Mexican breakfast.  Tortillas, eggs, potatoes, sausage and bacon, and who could forget the New Mexican green chili along with coffee and hot chocolate.

Everyone was enjoying and reminiscing of last year’s experience with pouring rain. No one could ask for a better start to a day of riding ahead. During the morning announcements, a Vietnam Veteran bio was read aloud with an FNG volunteering to take it to the wall.

Albuquerque’s finest escorted the pack from the dealership out onto the freeway and on up the Sandia Pass through the mountains.

A quick parade through Moriarty, NM brought out members of the community to wave, salute, and cheer on our riders on their journey to the Wall.

Back on the freeway and on towards Santa Rosa for fuel and a traditional stop at Blue Hole, a crystal-blue natural swimming hole with hidden underwater caves that are used to swim, snorkel, and even scuba dive.

There Mark ‘MAZZ’ Masman took the plunge with the vest of a fellow Road Guard, Peter ‘Greenie’ Green that passed May 19, 2024 a solemn tribute to a friend, a brother, and veteran.

Several other riders took the plunge to include our youngest FNG Matthew Bancroft, who kept the tradition going.

The pack continued down the road to Tucumcari, NM where we ran down the main street, Route 66 waving, revving motors, and honking at the folks that lined the streets showing their support of our riders and their mission.

Our final fuel stop was just west of the New Mexico and Texas border at Russell’s Travel Venter where volunteers not only came to show their support, but also gave everyone ice cream to help ward off the increasing desert temperatures. Folks enjoyed the cool treat as well as a small museum just inside with vintage cars, motorcycles, and Americana.

Our final leg of today’s adventures brought us to Christian Heritage Church in Amarillo, TX where we were again treated to a fantastic home style meal of smoked chicken, fall off the bone beef ribs, and all the fixin’s to go with, including both peach and apple cobblers.

The local high school’s Cadet Color Guard  presented the colors while the pledge of allegiance was led by the cutest little girl in the ~1st grade??~ as well as the national anthem being sung by the children’s choir; all of them receiving a standing ovation.

Tonight we also honored a Gold Star Spouse, wife of the bio in which was read aloud only this morning.

During the ride today, everyone could see the beautiful landscapes of high desert grasslands turn into hills and plateaus, and the change again into the Texan landscape of field grass and sage, all of which could be seen and smelled, until the cattle pens near Amarillo that is.

I leave you with this final quote that a simple Disney movie made famous, but still bears the true meaning of what we do, as a family:

Family means no one gets left behind, or forgotten. 

Until tomorrow, we’ll see what adventures are in store for us. How far are we going? ALL THE WAY!

Written by STITCH. Photos by Kim Butler

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Midway Route Day 2, Flagstaff, AZ to Albuquerque, NM

A cool nip in the air started the second day of the Midway Run For The Wall in Flagstaff, AZ.

Riders and passengers, volunteers and staff, all bundled up in sweatshirts and jackets, beanies and gloves, with hot coffee and breakfast burritos to to help ward off the crisp mid thirty degree temperature.

Once on the road and heading down the mountain, the air began to warm as the scenery shifted from tall pines to high desert scrub trees, and soon into the sands and hills associated most with the Arizona landscapes.

All of the riders traveling along the route and in their platoons having grown stronger in their abilities to ride in a tight RFTW pack. Everyone, both new and experienced, have noticeably advanced their skills in riding with each other, developing a trust in themselves as well as others around them, pushing their skills to their limits, getting out of their comfort zone ever so slightly and advancing their capabilities.

A slight change of plans in the schedule unfortunately prevented the parading through Winslow, AZ, but allowed for more practice time on the road.

Holbrook, AZ was our first fuel stop where the winds also began to pick up to a noticeable speed, however this did not deter anyone from the ride ahead. Just before leaving, a solemn reading of ——-‘s bio was read aloud, reminding ourselves why we ride.

Once back on the road, everyone could watch the sandy hills of Arizona transform into the red and white sandstone plateaus of New Mexico.

As if the landscape and blue skies weren’t picturesque enough, as we traveled into New Mexico, we were met with Sheriff Department deputies and given a full police escort, or as we call it “LEO” for “Law Enforcement Officers” to our next destination fuel stop in Jamestown, New Mexico.

Even though the day had grown later and the sun continued to shine hotter in the clear skies, the increasing winds kept the temperatures tolerable.

Keeping everyone hydrated was still the number one concern with the hydration trailer and team in full force providing water and Gatorade to everyone.

Safety briefings were held to discuss the next stop and potential dangers associated with the riding ‘circle tour’ around the school’s front roundabout as well as what to expect at Milan Elementary School overall, the kids and staff, their reactions from years past could only slightly prepare us for what was in store for us.

With full LEO escort we arrived at the school and was guided into the roundabout in front of the building were all the kids and staff were lined up on the curbs, dressed in matching red Tshirts, waving American flags, and chanting “USA. USA. USA” while we rode around the circle in single file, revving and honking, then exiting where we came in until all of the bikes had gone through. Through all of the excitement, both theirs and ours, you couldn’t help but get choked up or even teary eyed a little with pride.

Everyone began to shed layers off as we parked with the temps finally rising to the higher 70’s as we began to funnel inside. With everyone filling their gymnasium, plaques and certificates were exchanged, thank you’s and kind words as well as more cheering and chanting by all.

Afterwards we were treated to a home cooked meal with great hospitality, giving everyone a chance to relax and unwind a bit before getting back on the road.

As we continued our trek into New Mexico, still under LEO escort, we took our last fuel stop in Rio Puerco at the Route 66 Travel Center where we met up with the Albuquerque Police Department and their motorcade of officers that provided only what could be explained as a full presidential escort through the city to our final destination. Every exit and I ramp were blocked and the lanes cleared of all traffic as they encapsulated us with their motorcycles and guided us to Thunderbird Harley Davidson. Once there we were again presenting our gratitude and appreciation to all of the volunteers and organizations that have helped to make our trip that much better with food, drinks, escorts, and every other assistance imaginable. A  special tribute with Amazing Grace played by a bagpiper filled the crowd with emotions as he marched and played the gracious melody.

The day’s adventures, lessons and experiences have brought us all closer together as a family and can only leave us wondering, what will tomorrow bring.

Written by STITCH. Photos by Kim Butler

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April 2025 Central Route Newsletter

*(This newsletter is best read at this link.)
RFTW and Central Route Riders!  It is almost here! We are 37-days until kickstands up, and the commencement of RFTW 2025 – The 35th Annual Run!  I mentioned this before, but it is time to get yourself and your motorcycle in tip top shape. I took my bike in last Saturday to get new tires, and my dealer discovered that I also needed a new front-wheel, wheel bearing.  Additionally, they also discovered that my faring was a little loose, and needed some tightening. The more you can do to prevent breakdowns on the run the better you will be.  But always know that we have our Chase Trucks for cases when people do breakdown or get flats, etc.

There have been some additional questions regarding our fuel stickers on Central Route. From my newsletter in February, the sticker is $35.00 per motorcycle or trike.  It is your ticket and passport to jump in our fuel line at any of our stops.  You will purchase the sticker with CASH when you check-in and get your registration materials in Ontario or at any of our overnight stops along the way. If you don’t have a fuel sticker, you will not be allowed to pump fuel in our fuel line(s) to get RFTW paid, sponsored and donated fuel.

Central Route is going to do things a little bit different this year. It is my aim to cut down on some of the multiple and sometimes seemingly redundant meetings we have had in the past, specifically in Ontario.  We will have one Central Route ALL HANDS meeting, at the Holiday Inn (2155 E Convention Center Way, Ontario, CA 91764) in the large ballroom at 11AM on Tuesday, May 13. This meeting is for FNG’s, all riders, and folks in leadership – All Hands. It is hours earlier than in the past, to give people time to rest, relax, and prepare for the next day’s departure.  I always hated us going up against the dinner hour the night before we leave, and now I get to fix that and try something new. It is my aim that this is a positive change for the better. We are cutting a separate FNG meeting, separate “leadership meeting”, and then having an all hands on top of all of that.  Team leads will still have their meetings, but that is on them to schedule around our one Central Route ALL Hands.

The Central Route Itinerary is out and published. See details here on how to put it on your iPhone, and print a copy for yourself. Note that the cover of our booklet is a replica of the RFTW graphic that was used on the FIRST RFTW in 1989. If you are joining us somewhere other than Ontario, my recommendation is that you join us at any of our overnight stops, as far WEST as you can, so you can experience as much of what is in-store, as possible. My FNG year in 2009, I joined in Burlington, CO that year, as that was our overnight (We now do Limon, CO). I loved it immediately, and regretted not joining further west. Regardless, do as much of it as you can, and your schedule allows.

Let’s talk a little  bit more about our Vietnam Veterans, and this years’ Run in particular. The Vietnam Veteran platoon will ride up front behind the Missing Man formation and our six-pack the entire journey to DC. To ride in this platoon, you need to have received the Vietnam campaign medal/ribbon. My father, Harlan Olson, will be the platoon leader for the Vietnam veteran platoon, Rod George will be the assistant, and Mike Hodge will be the tail gunner.  All of them have YEARS of experience with RFTW, and my dad, Harlan Olson was the Central Route Coordinator for the 30th Run in 2018.

Speaking of Vietnam, I had the opportunity to go to Saigon in early 2019 (now called Ho Chi Minh City), as my company at the time had our global sales meeting there.  My dad was stationed in Saigon in 1964 with the US Army Security Agency, 3rd Radio Research Unit.  The Army Security Agency was basically the Army’s version of the NSA. I recalled him telling stories a few times of his time there and The Caravelle Hotel, where he would hang out sometimes, and since I was there, I recreated a photo of him in 1964.  The images below will enlarge when you click on them.

On Friday, May 16, 2025 when we arrive at the Angel Fire Vietnam Memorial this year in New Mexico, on Day 3, we will lay two memorial bricks, just like we do every year over Labor Day Weekend when RFTW riders lay a few hundred bricks.  We will honor and remember Arthur Wayne Glover, from Harrisburg, PA and Donald Richard Taylor from Morristown, TN.  These men were also in the Army Security Agency in Saigon, and they were both killed on the same day during the same incident in 1964.  They were ages 24 and 21 when they were killed, and their names are on Panel 1E, Line 43 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall. This will be an ALL HANDS Event when we get to the Memorial on May 16, and will take just a few minutes. Below is a video of what a brick laying entails over Labor Day Weekend.

One quick note about the GMRS Radios. BTECH recently released in January a large, new firmware update 0.8.0, and now 0.8.3 for the GMRS-PRO radio. This update added a VOX feature. If you did or do any of these updates, check and make sure to DISABLE or double-check that the VOX FEATURE is DISABLED!  This could potentially cause too many unnecessary ”open mic” transmissions. You should not use VOX on The Run.

To Disable:
From the front panel of the radio:
MENU > Radio Settings > UNCHECK Enable Vox

(make sure there is no checkmark under this feature and setting)

Additionally, on a side note, when connecting to a Sena headset, you sometimes might hear a never-ending loud beeping.  The fix for this is to roll the volume all the way down on the jog dial of the Sena, and then back up to where you want it.

Register for the 2025 Run now

Registration is now $75 until April 30th.  Then it goes to $90. Price is slightly lower under the Day Rider Program.  Go to the registration page now.  Everyone is highly encouraged to REGISTER for RFTW in 2025 now.  This helps us make an accurate plan for May.  If you are in Leadership you need to be getting registered now, if not already.  Your registration is your indication to us that you are committing to your volunteer position.  FNGs please also register as early as you can.  We know plans can change. This immensely helps our State Coordinators plan for meals, etc. Your registration fee basically covers, the privilege to ride with the Run in the pack, which in-turn gets you breakfast, lunch, and dinner at all of our stops across the country that is provided by our donors and supporters.  We could not do it without them.

Register for RFTW 2025

Honor and Remember Them All.
Remember, RFTW Riders are Built Different.

Kirk “Pretty Boy” Olson
kirk.olson@rftw.us
RFTW Central Route Coordinator – 2025
Asst. Route Coordinator – 2024
Road Guard Captain – 2023
Asst. Road Guard Captain – 2019
RFTW Board of Directors – 2016-2019
Road Guard 2010-2018
FNG 2009

If you have not seen from previous newsletters by me or the other Route Coordinators from Southern, Midway, and Sandbox, RFTW is moving to GMRS for our on-road communications. This is not as big of a transition for us on Central Route this year in 2025, since we piloted the GMRS radios in 2024, and they worked very well.  My advice to you all is to get the radio now, and learn how to use, pair, and connect them to your helmet speakers or ear drums.  Also, help our friends on Southern, Midway, and Sandbox get theirs set-up and paired. Personally, I use a Sena 50S paired to the radio, and I paired the radio as PHONE 2, to the radio. See Sena directions, on how to do this.

**See this post on Where and What to Buy, and all things GMRS for RFTW.**

**See this Post for Videos on how to Program the radios** or here.

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National Vietnam War Veterans Day Sale – This Saturday Only!

This Saturday, March 29th is National Vietnam War Veterans Day. In recognition of this day, the store will be having a one-day sale with 20% off all anniversary and Vietnam based products. Here is the list:

  1. 35/50 Anniversary Patch
  2. 2025 RFTW Anniversary Poker Chip
  3. 2025 Run For The Wall® Anniversary Pin
  4. 35/50 Anniversary Sticker
  5. RFTW Vietnam Ribbon Cling (Large)
  6. RFTW Vietnam Campaign Ribbon Stickers
  7. 2025 Navy Blue Performance Men’s Polo Shirt
  8. 2025 RFTW Safety Green Performance Women’s Shirt
  9. 2025 RFTW Safety Green Performance Men’s Shirt

The 35th Run For The Wall is just around the corner so take advantage of the savings while you can!  Ride safe and don’t forget to begin doing motorcycle drills and rides, start hydrating and get mentally and physically ready. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in Ontario!

Alan “Xbox” Steiner
Director of Merchandise
Run For The Wall
https://rftw.us

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2025 Central Route Itinerary is now Published @ www.rftw.us

Greetings from RFTW and the CENTRAL ROUTE! –
May is 37-days away, and KSU is in 50-days!

We are pleased to announce that the Official 2025 Central Route Itinerary is complete and posted!  This is your 10-Day Daily Schedule. Get familiar with it. Use it. Put it on your phone, or print a hard copy for yourself.

It can be viewed and downloaded here:
https://rftw.us/central-route-hub

Additionally, if you want to PRINT a hard copy BOOKLET for yourself, the best thing to do is use this PRINT version, and print using the PRINT BOOKLET Option with Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader.

TWO VERSIONS – Screen and PRINT

  1. Put on your phone version – Click here
  2. Print booklet version, using Print Booklet function of Adobe Acrobat – Click Here (Save file to your computer first.)
    **Instructions on how to PRINT BOOKLET Here. Must be able to print on two sides of paper. Click here for instructions.** The MAP pages are on the LONG EDGE in the PRINT Version, and they are rotated for easier viewing in the Phone version.

To download and put the itinerary on your Apple iPhone click on the itinerary link at the Central Hub, then follow these instructions below.

Save and View PDFs to the Books app on your iPhone or iPad

Use Apple Books to save and view PDFs.

Tap the link above and get the itinerary PDF to open it.

  1. Tap the Share button 
  2. Swipe left over the app icons and tap Books.
    The Apple Books icon
    If you can’t see Books, tap the More button. Then tap Books.
    The Apple Books icon appears when you tap the More button.

Your PDF will open and save automatically in the Books app. You can find it later in the Library tab.

If you own an Android, follow these instructions:
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/hub/how-to-read-pdfs-on-android.html

See you in May!

Honor and Remember Them All.
Remember, RFTW Riders are Built Different.

Kirk “Pretty Boy” Olson
kirk.olson@rftw.us
RFTW Central Route Coordinator – 2025
Asst. Route Coordinator – 2024
Road Guard Captain – 2023
Asst. Road Guard Captain – 2019
RFTW Board of Directors – 2016-2019
Road Guard 2010-2018
FNG 2009

If you have not seen from previous newsletters by me or the other Route Coordinators from Southern, Midway, and Sandbox, RFTW is moving to GMRS for our on-road communications. This is not as big of a transition for us on Central Route this year in 2025, since we piloted the GMRS radios in 2024, and they worked very well.  My advice to you all is to get the radio now, and learn how to use, pair, and connect them to your helmet speakers or ear drums.  Also, help our friends on Southern, Midway, and Sandbox get theirs set-up and paired. Personally, I use a Sena 50S paired to the radio, and I paired the radio as PHONE 2, to the radio. See Sena directions, on how to do this.

**See this post on Where and What to Buy, and all things GMRS for RFTW.**

**See this Post for Videos on how to Program the radios** or here.

Posted on by

February 2025 Central Route Newsletter

*(This newsletter is best read at this link.)
RFTW and Central Route Riders!  We are 87-days until kickstands up, and the commencement of RFTW 2025 – The 35th Annual Run!  Can you feel it yet? I hope so. Now is the time to really start getting yourself and your bike in tip-top shape for this years RFTW. Relatively speaking we don’t travel super long distances each day, but we do typically start early in the mornings, and by the time evening rolls around you are ready for rest.  Please do your best to make sure that you can endure. Exercise now. Walk. Do whatever is good for you, but it will help.

I have GREAT NEWS to report. This year on Central Route we will be doing Pre-Paid Fuel stickers again, as we have done the past couple of years. In 2025 the Central Route Pre-Paid Fuel Stickers will be $35.00 per motorcycle or trike. Yes, you read that right — $35.00. This will cover your fuel from Ontario, CA to Washington, DC.   Some of our fuel stops are donated by organizations and individuals, and some are not.  The fuel sticker covers you from coast-to-coast and is your “ticket” to jump in our RFTW fuel line and get fuel.  It also helps cover the cost of fuel for our Chase Truck team of drivers and our Last Man Vehicle, for those that break down and need to be picked up by that crew. You will pay this when you check-in and pick up your registration materials in Ontario, or any of our overnight stops where you register and check-in. Please have your fuel sticker monies in CASH when you CHECK-IN at registration, and you will then receive the sticker to put on your bike. There is no excuse to not get a fuel sticker in 2025, actually at this price, let’s just call it a requirement.

Speaking of Check-in, if you are joining us somewhere in the middle of the country (not Ontario) Check-in is open at the evening dinner stops, and before the morning meetings the day we depart. These are your only two times each day to check-in with our registration team — Evening at dinner, and before the morning meetings.

Route planning is underway and is actually just about complete. We will put the final touches on our route plan with our State Coordinators and Crew & Team Leads on a March 4th Conference Call.  For those that may not know, about 12 or so years ago, Mike “Dadbo” Owen put our entire route on Google Earth.  To this day, we use what he originally put together on Google Earth for our planning purposes.  Over the years he has put countless and countless hours into this work.  He took a break from it for a few years, and then Chuck “Mr. Priority” Brown, did it for a few years.  (Speaking of Chuck, I gave him that road name, and it is a HILARIOUS STORY.  Ask him or me about it sometime.)

I asked Dadbo if he could be our planner again this year, and he graciously said YES.  So, if any of you “map enthusiasts” out there would like to see what our route looks like on Google Earth, feel free to take a look at this “View Only” version online – here.  When the page loads, click on the BACK Button next to my picture that will show up in the page in the top left corner. From there you can double-click and drill down on any of the days and stops.

Register for the 2025 Run now

Registration is now $75 until April 30th.  Then it goes to $90. Price is slightly lower under the Day Rider Program.  Go to the registration page now.  Everyone is highly encouraged to REGISTER for RFTW in 2025 now.  This helps us make an accurate plan for May.  If you are in Leadership you need to be getting registered now, if not already.  Your registration is your indication to us that you are committing to your volunteer position.  FNGs please also register as early as you can.  We know plans can change. This immensely helps our State Coordinators plan for meals, etc. Your registration fee basically covers, the privilege to ride with the Run in the pack, which in-turn gets you breakfast, lunch, and dinner at all of our stops across the country that is provided by our donors and supporters.  We could not do it without them.

Register for RFTW 2025

In the coming few weeks, FNGs will be getting contacted by Scott Gatton, our Platoon Coordinator, with the help of Nick Hentges our 2025 Route Mentor (2024 RC).   We would like to pre-assign platoons, as much as possible, so platoon members can meet their platoon leaders and their platoon crew before the run. If you are coming on the run WITH a Group or friend, and want to be in the same platoon, they will need to know that information.

Some of you may or may not know this, but my father Harlan Olson, was the Central Route Coordinator for the 30th RFTW.  This was way back in 2018 before any of us knew what AI, TikTok, or COVID was. I always thought he did a great job with the video he made that year, and it pretty much holds up to today, except for the fuel part, as we have moved to fuel stickers. I now have the privilege of leading the 35th RFTW, and we are the first Father-Son RC’s in RFTW. Here is that video he made in the fall of 2017 for the 2018 RFTW, edited and produced by Chuck “Mr. Priority” Brown. BTW, he will be the platoon leader for the Central Route Vietnam Veterans platoon this year.

2018 Central Route Coordinator Video

Honor and Remember Them All.
Remember, RFTW Riders are Built Different.

Kirk “Pretty Boy” Olson
kirk.olson@rftw.us
RFTW Central Route Coordinator – 2025
Asst. Route Coordinator – 2024
Road Guard Captain – 2023
Asst. Road Guard Captain – 2019
RFTW Board of Directors – 2016-2019
Road Guard 2010-2018
FNG 2009

If you have not seen from previous newsletters by me or the other Route Coordinators from Southern, Midway, and Sandbox, RFTW is moving to GMRS for our on-road communications. This is not as big of a transition for us on Central Route this year in 2025, since we piloted the GMRS radios in 2024, and they worked very well.  My advice to you all is to get the radio now, and learn how to use, pair, and connect them to your helmet speakers or ear drums.  Also, help our friends on Southern, Midway, and Sandbox get theirs set-up and paired. Personally, I use a Sena 50S paired to the radio, and I paired the radio as PHONE 2, to the radio. See Sena directions, on how to do this.

**See this post on Where and What to Buy, and all things GMRS for RFTW.**

**See this Post for Videos on how to Program the radios** or here.

Donate to the RFTW and the Central Route

If you find it within your heart to support Run for the Wall and RFTW Central Route, please consider making a donation.  This will help make  RFTW 2025 and the 35th Annual Run a complete success. Donate Online – Here

You can also Zelle a donation directly to: central.route@rftw.us
*Most banks now support Zelle transfers.

Or mail a check to:
Run for the Wall Inc.
Central Route
50 Fourth Ave Unit 1445
Dayton, NV 89403

Run For The Wall® Inc. EIN 36-4125559
Run For The Wall® is a 501(c)(3) tax deductible organization.