Call to action!
Wow, can you believe it? Just 75 days to KSU!!!
Currently there are 978 total riders registered on all four routes. The Southern Route has 314 registered riders, 77 of which are FNGs. Imagine, 978 riders will travel across the country experiencing American Patriotism on steroids!
The Southern Route leadership continues to meet monthly and things are coming together. The route has been planned down to the minute and coordinated with the Law Enforcement Officers that will escort us across the country. The folks at the meal stops are preparing their menus and shopping lists.
We are still looking for volunteers! Are you qualified to volunteer?
Let me share a few statistics. Currently there are 314 registered riders on the Southern Route, minus the 77 FNGs that are not eligible to volunteer, minus the 163 riders that have already volunteered. That leaves 72 riders currently registered on the Southern Route that are eligible to volunteer but HAVE NOT. Our numbers are going to increase between now and May and we need PLATOON LEADERSHIP AND STAGING VOLUNTEERS. If you are not an FNG, please consider volunteering, we need YOU to help us get safely across the country.
In addition to the volunteers who facilitate our trip across the country, we also need money to purchase gas for the chase vehicles and for donations to the VA Hospitals that we support and the schools that we visit.
To help fund the run, we hold raffles; 50/50 raffles, quilt raffles and a stained glass raffle. This year we are raffling Flags of The United States of America! There are historical flags and flags flown at prominent military or historical locations. One flag will be raffled each morning.
The on-line raffle site allows you to purchase tickets for the specific flag you are interested in. You are also able to purchase 50/50 raffle tickets. When you purchase 50/50 tickets, if not selected on any given day, your name will stay in the pot for a chance to win the following day. Photos of the donated, handmade quilts, will be posted as soon as the photos are available at which time we will begin selling tickets for each quilt.
Purchase raffle tickets here: https://southernrouterftw.company.site
Pre-Paid Fuel
Speaking of gas, the prepaid fuel option is gaining traction, every week we see more and more riders prepaying for their fuel. Still not sure how it works? Let me explain…
You have the option of prepaying on-line or when you arrive in Ontario. If you have purchased prepaid fuel, when you arrive in Ontario and check-in, you will be issued a wrist band and a receipt. When you pull into the gas stop, show the fuel team member your wrist band and you will not be charged for fuel. Yes, you read that correctly, fill your tank and ride on through. We will all arrive at the staging area quicker, with a little more time for rest, hydration and snacks.
Now for the questions that are running through your mind:
- How can $150.00 be enough money for fuel? Historically, the remaining fuel expenses are donated stops.
- How do I know my bike’s fuel usage will be $150? The stops that are not donated fuel stops will all be $10 stops.
- What if you’re not going all the way? This would not be a good plan for you, unless you want to donate your unused gas money to the chase vehicles’ fuel expenses, because NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN
- What if you lose your wrist band? You will have to show your receipt to be issued a new wrist band.
- What if you do not complete the run? There again, you will be making a donation to the chase vehicles’ fuel expense fund. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN.
- Will this impact donated fuel stops? NO, the generous donors on the route will still donate fuel stops.
We encourage ALL of the all the way riders to prepay for their fuel. All riders will benefit by having faster fueling and longer rest time.
Purchase prepaid fuel here: https://checkout.square.site/buy/KGFJ4PI5MGGVX3QTJ76I46LN
Why I Ride
Vietnam War Veterans Day
March 29, 2023
This month marks the sixth year of honoring and recognizing Vietnam Veterans and their families on Vietnam War Veterans Day.
“The Vietnam War Veterans Day Recognition Act of 2017 was signed into law by 45th U.S. President Donald J. Trump, designating every 29 March as National Vietnam Veterans Day.
29 March is a fitting choice for a day honoring Vietnam veterans. It was chosen to be observed in perpetuity as March 29, 1973 (50 years ago this month) was the day United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was disestablished and also the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. In addition, on and around this same day Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war. “
November 1, 1955 was selected to coincide with the official designation of Military Assistance Advisory Group-Vietnam (MAAG-V); May 15, 1975 marks the end of the battle precipitated by the seizure of the SS Mayaguez.
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that today there are more than 7 million U.S. Vietnam veterans living in America and abroad, along with 10 million families of those who served during this timeframe.
Excerpt taken from: https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/assets/1/7/National_Vietnam_War_Veterans_Day_Updated_-_Nov_2022_11.PDF
I was a young teenager when my brother-in-law shipped off to Vietnam. He was never the same. Three years ago he died from cancer related to agent orange exposure. I ride for Danny, I ride for the veterans on the run, I ride for the families whose loved ones were never the same or never came home. I ride for the 1,582 still unaccounted for. I ride, to thank and honor all our veterans and their families, not just on March 29th, but all year.
Why are you riding this year?
ROMEO – TANGO – MIKE
Kristine “Eyes” Wood
Southern Route Coordinator 2023
