Uncategorized Archives - Run For The Wall®

Posted on April 7, 2025 by Kirk Olson

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.

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 March 27, 2025 by Alan "Xbox" Steiner

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:

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

Posted on March 25, 2025 by Kirk Olson

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

Put on your phone version – Click here
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.

Tap the Share button
Swipe left over the app icons and tap Books.

If you can’t see Books, tap the More button. Then tap Books.

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.

**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 February 16, 2025February 18, 2025 by Kirk Olson

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

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.

**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.

Posted on January 29, 2025 by Alan "Xbox" Steiner

Merchandise Director Assistance Request

The merchandise director is looking for someone to assist with the merchandise work. The assistant would NOT be a board member but instead would work behind the scenes assisting in the daily management of merchandise activities. This position requires an agreement that includes non-disclosure of merchandise processes and activities. The position description includes:

Title

Merchandise Assistant

Description

This position reports to the Director of Merchandise and will manage sales orders and inventory for our apparel. Orders will be sent to your official rftw.us email address and must be reviewed to verify which ones include apparel. These will then be extracted and put into a spreadsheet sent to our supplier twice weekly. Once the supplier receives the tracking information, the number is then added to the order in our e-commerce system, and the order is marked completed. Additionally, inventory is tracked, and when it gets to a low stock level, you will work with the Director of Merchandise to place new orders for the supplier and update the merchandise budget and inventory levels accordingly.

Essential Functions

Review all orders looking for apparel items
Generate spreadsheets to submit orders to suppliers twice weekly
Manage inventory and spending using our e-commerce platform
Place orders with supplier at low stock levels

Required Knowledge & Skills

Good communication skills
Ability to use a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets
Experience with cloud drives such as Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive.
Good computer skills

This position requires an internet connection to access the e-commerce portal, cloud services, and email. A reasonable amount of computer knowledge is desired.

Please email merchandise@rftw.us if you are interested or have any questions.

Posted on January 6, 2025January 6, 2025 by Eric "Pitch" Fort

Midway Route Coordinator Newsletter – January 2025

A very Happy New Year to you all! I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday season with friends and family. It is hard to believe we are already into 2025 with just four months until we go kick stands up for the 35th Annual Run for the Wall.

Midway Leadership and State Coordinators continue to work hard on finalizing the planning for this year’s Run. It is an honor to be a part of such an amazing group and I cannot thank them enough for their efforts and continued dedication. As a result of your feedback from AAR’s, we have made a couple of changes to fuel stops minimizing the distance from Staging to the facilities. We have also finalized the logistics around Day 8 after departing Knoxville. This year will find us stopping in Bristol, VA for our dinner and overnight stop. The morning of Day 9 we will travel through Virginia and back into North Carolina to our historical lunch stop in Siler City where we will get “back to normal”. Avoiding Asheville was not a decision we intended on making nor was it an easy one however in the interest of safety to the pack it was one that had to be made. Thank you to all of the Midway Leadership that helped in the monumental task of all that is involved in rerouting a pack!

We are still in need of a few Volunteers. If you are interested in participating as an Honor Guard, please contact our Honor Guard Coordinator Roger “Bullseye” Ford at roger.ford1234@gmail.com. We are also looking to add a couple of more trained medical personnel for our medical team. If you have an interest to serve in this capacity or know someone who is, please fill out a volunteer application or you may contact me directly. We also need some help with The Merchandise team. No experience is necessary, training will be provided, and you have an opportunity to take people’s money!

Registration is still $60 per person through 31 January 2025. After that, Regular Registration is from 01 February 2025 through 30 April 2025 and will increase to a cost of $75 per person. If you wait until May, the Last Minute Moe cost will go up to $90 per person. Your registration assists in the planning of necessary personnel, meals, etc so I would encourage you to go online and register before the Early Bird rate ends.

Midway has chosen to not increase the Prepaid Fuel cost for this year. Coast to Coast will be $150 and $25 per day for Day Riders or those that choose not to participate in the Prepaid option. I would highly encourage you to consider Prepaid. Not only is it very cost-effective in the big picture, but it also helps provide a safer and more efficient stop at the pumps! If you would like to go ahead and check this off of your To Do List and your bank uses Zelle, mark your donation to midway.route@rftw.us. Please be sure to include Midway – Prepaid Fuel in the For line so that we can allocate the money correctly. If you prefer to donate via check please mail it to:

Run for the Wall

50 Fourth Ave Unit 1445

Dayton, NV 89403

Be sure to include Midway – Prepaid Fuel in the For line so we can allocate it accordingly. If you prefer to pay at Registration Check-In either in Ontario or wherever you join us, please note we will ONLY ACCEPT CASH. NO EXCEPTION.

I would like you all to begin thinking about the Breakouts that we will be conducting on our second day in Cookeville, TN. As in year’s past we will be visiting the following locations:

Breakout 1 – Sunbright Memorial in Sunbright, TN

Breakout 2 – Southside Elementary & Wilson County Veterans Memorial in Lebanon, TN

Breakout 3 – Tennessee State Veterans Home in Murfreesboro, TN

Each one of these stops is special in its own way so no matter which you choose you can’t go wrong! Lunch will be served at each Breakout, so we need to begin working on a headcount to assist our TN State Coordinator Phil Friedli with the logistics for meals. We will most likely reach out to you during Platoon assignments to see which one you are interested in participating in. If you are in Leadership, please reach out to Phil or Ed Butler directly so that they can get you registered on your Breakout of choice.

Topics on the RFTW Forums continue to grow. I would encourage you to visit there if you are looking for information on things like GMRS radios and setup, advice for FNG’s, meet ups and get togethers in your areas, individuals looking for a roommate on the Run. Don’t see what you are looking for….start your own discussion. Thanks again to Ted Kapner for all his efforts behind the scenes to get this up and running! RFTW’s Podcast is another great way to find out more about what makes the Run and each Route so special. For more information go to Podcast on the RFTW website.

“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.” This is why we ride. Together let’s make 2025 a year to remember and give our Vietnam Veterans the WELCOME HOME they so deserved 50 years ago.

Say their names. Tell their stories. Never forget.

Eric “Pitch” Fort

Route Coordinator – Midway 2025

Posted on December 14, 2024 by Kirk Olson

Central Route – December 2024 Newsletter

I hope this message finds everyone well as we start to prepare for the upcoming Holiday and Christmas Season. In regards specifically to the Run and Central Route, I can report that planning is going as smoothly as can be at this stage with us being 5-months out from kickstands up in May 2025. All of our State Coordinators have finalized our overnights with our partner hotels from Arizona to West Virginia (CA and DC Hotels are handled by the BoD), and they continue to work hard for fuel stops, donations, and working with our meal provider volunteers.

It is looking like we will officially be able to get into to Arlington National Cemetery again for an official wreath laying. There will be more specific details on this in regards to number of people and number of bikes we will be allowed.

Remember, this is going to be a very special Run in 2025 because it is the 35th Annual Run of RFTW and it is the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Again, as a reminder due to these special anniversaries, we are making an extra effort to salute and honor our Vietnam Veterans this year, as they are the ones that paved the way for RFTW, its mission, and to what it has become, and why it means so much to all of us today.

I am currently in need of a volunteer to be the back-up Photographer. And I am also seeking a Videographer. If you’re a photographer or videographer hobbyist, please get in touch with me at: kirk.olson@rftw.us

I wish you and your families the very best this Christmas and Holiday Season, and seeing you all in May 2025!

Remember those that serve. I’ll leave you with a special Christmas Story from WWI.

(The videos I’ve embedded, may only show properly if you go to this newsletter at the rftw website. Click on “Read on blog” in the upper right from the email.)

Christmas Truce of 1914

Kirk Olson
Route Coordinator 2025 – Central Route
kirk.olson@rftw.us | (303) 588-6125

Posted on December 12, 2024December 12, 2024 by Lennie "Big Red" Hodson

Southern Route Family news

It’s with a heavy heart that we inform the Southern Route family that Danny MacGillivray, aka Jellybean, the SR Road Guard of yesteryear, passed away at night on 12/11/2024. Robert “Old School” Reavis has been updating us on Facebook, and it sounded like he was improving, but this is a sad surprise. May God Bless and watch over him and his family.

Lennie “Big Red” Hodson

2025 Southern Route Coordinator

Posted on October 10, 2024October 10, 2024 by Alan "Xbox" Steiner — Leave a comment

Merchandise Sales Help & Driver Needed for 2025 RFTW

If you are looking for a way to contribute or know of anyone that would like to help Run For The Wall, there are several positions that need to be filled for the 2025 merchandise team. These positions will require each individual to register for the specific route they will be participating in and by doing so, will be eligible for all the same benefits as the riders including meals while on the Run. Team members ride out ahead of the pack to allow time to park and set up before the pack arrives at each stop. This gives supporters, participants and day riders a chance to buy merchandise prior to the pack arrival.

Merchandise sales will be open at each designated stop for up to 30 minutes prior to pack departure to give pack riders an opportunity to buy merchandise as well. Typically, stops that the merchandise team will be at include all lunch and dinner locations as well as designated memorials and VA hospitals.

Upon arrival in DC, your help is needed to unload merchandise from the two trailers not participating in Sandbox and stock the trailer assigned for Sandbox. Once completed, enjoy the celebrations when the pack arrives!

Southern Route Driver

All hotel and fuel is paid for from the time you leave Ontario until the trailer is returned to Ontario.
You will need a truck capable of towing a max of GVWR of 9990lbs with a minimum 2″ hitch ball, 7-pin light plug and brake controller (mounted in truck). Expect the actual trailer load to not exceed 7200lbs. It is recommended that the vehicle towing setup support stabilizer bars which are provided but is not a requirement.
Your truck must in good condition and meet all DOT requirements.
You must have a valid driver’s license, registration, and vehicle and towing insurance good throughout the Run from the time you hook up in Ontario until the trailer is returned.
You will pick up the trailer in Ontario, CA and be responsible for taking it all the way to Washington, D.C. and then returning it to Ontario at the end of the Run.
You will coordinate with the Southern Route sales lead and Route Coordinator regarding all stops and where to park each day during the Run.
Having familiarity with generators is a plus.
You will also be a sales member as described in the next section below.

Sales Help for All Routes

You are customer focused and will represent the face of the RFTW and the merchandise team.
You will need to be able to operate the point-of-sale system and manage cash and credit card transactions. Training is provided.
You will need to be capable of reconciling all transactions for each day and provide the Treasurer, or appointed person, with the cash received each day. Reporting format will be determined by the Treasurer.
You will be required to be in Ontario, CA the Friday before the Run for training and to help set up and sell merchandise at either the Elks, host hotel or both.
You will need to provide your own transportation unless other arrangements are made with the merchandise truck driver for your route to ride along.

Please reach out to me if you or someone you know is interested or has any questions. I look forward to hearing from you!

Alan “Xbox” Steiner
Director of Merchandise, RFTW
2024 SB Road Guard
2023-2024 CR Photographer
2022 CR Plt 2 Tailgunner
2012 CR FNG

Posted on October 3, 2024October 3, 2024 by Lennie "Big Red" Hodson — Leave a comment

Southern Route October Newsletter

Happy Halloween to all you ghosts and goblins,

First, I want to thank Juice and Pickles (Phillip and Belinda Tutton) for their great job Hosting their first year of the Texas Riders Reunion in Kerrville, Texas. It was a great time.

It’s also important to remember and support our family members on the East Coast who have just been through a devastating hurricane. We travel through these areas, and many of our RFTW family live there, not to mention the strong supporters of our mission. Prayers go out to all who have been affected.

The planning and preparations for 2025 are well underway. State coordinators are busy securing hotels, fuel stops, and meeting with community leaders for meals. Be sure to thank these folks when you see them during the run. They work all year long to help pull off the magic of the run. Early Registration is open. Please register as soon as possible, as this helps us plan for our stops and hotel accommodations. Remember, the price goes up on February 1^st of next year, and you lose the early bird discount. You can Register Here.

As part of the 50th anniversary of the last battle of the Vietnam War, we will have a Platoon just for Vietnam Vets and Vietnam-era vets; this platoon will be for 2 or 3-wheel motorcycles and Can-Ams, sorry, no bikes with trailers. This platoon even gets to be towards the front of the pack, for a lot of the run. So, when you finalize your registration in Ontario or wherever you join the run, ask to be assigned to the Veterans platoon if you qualify.

If you’d like to ride in honor of a fallen loved one or friend in the Missing Man Formation, you should contact Bill “Maverick” Leonard at bill.leonard@rftw.us: preference will be given to FNG’s (Fine New Guys / Gals). Also, many wreath ceremonies at our memorial stops will need Honor Guards to help with the wreath laying. if you’d like to volunteer for one of these slots, please get in touch with Brian Turner, our Honor Guard Coordinator, at turnercatchief@gmail.com. No prior experience is required. It’s a rewarding experience, and if you don’t have the marching experience, or you think it’s been so long you won’t remember, this is a good opportunity to re-remember or learn what it’s like. Brian is a great drill instructor (DI) , uh, teacher!!

We also have a new patch being developed and manufactured. This patch will be available on the run, starting in Ontario. Looking forward to seeing everyone there, wearing a patch by the time we get to DC!We are still looking for Medical team members, if you are a credentialed RN, Para Medic or EMT and you’d like to volunteer, you can contact me at lennie.hodson@rftw.us; also still in need of an RMO (Risk Management Officer). This position requires detailed report writing, drawing, law enforcement background is a plus.

Southern Route Moto for 2025 Will be “To Honor and Remember Their Sacrifice”

“Say Their Names, Tell Their Stories, Never Forget”

Lennie “Big Red” Hodson

Southern Route Coordinator 2025

2018 Central Route Coordinator Video

Christmas Truce of 1914

Southern Route Driver

Sales Help for All Routes

Get Monthly RFTW News via Email