I have been unable to sleep much tonight. I am often asked, “Why do you do this motorcycle thing”. We all know the Mission statement, however, when we are on the Run, we see every day why we ride; the Mission is part of our heart and soul. I received an email last night from Rich “Cadillac” Crombie. With Rich’s permission I have copied and pasted his email below:
My name is Rich “Cadillac” Crombie and I am registered for this year’s RFTW event and I will be doing the Midway route with my fellow shipmate Bill “COB” Brehler who was an FNG last year. I am an FNG this year.
I hope I am not too late, this whole process is still new to me, but COB mentioned that I need to contact you to arrange for me to do a Missing Man leg along the route. He did it last year on my behalf for my son David “Nick” Crombie.
My son was killed in action while serving in Iraq (Ramadi to be exact). He was a PFC medic serving in the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry, U.S. Army and was killed on June 7th, 2006 while on a night patrol and I will be riding in honor of him this year. I’d be so grateful if I could participate in the Missing Man formation in honor of my son Nick if there are any spots still available.
The Run For The Wall mission is “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 – to support this mission!
In reference to Fuel Stops, due to the hard work and donations from many of our Midway Family, each rider will need to plan for a $10.00 per day payment at one fuel stop. The $10.00 will help pay for fuel and our charities and the schools we support along the Midway Route during the Run. I would encourage you to participate in the 50/50 raffles and other promotions (the promotions team has worked hard to have special and different items daily) so the Midway Route can further it’s support for the Veterans Organizations, charities, churches and communities that support the Midway Route as we travel across our Nation.
Day 4, Friday, May 19, 2023, Amarillo, TX to Shawnee, OK: Words are not sufficient to describe how amazing this day will be. This will be our visit to Ft. Sill, OK where we will meet with approximately 20 Gold Star Families. Fort Sill and Lawton supports the largest geographic concentration of Gold Star Families in the US, approximately 105 families. It will be our honor to pay tribute to the Native American community at the Chief’s Knoll where three tribal leaders are buried. The tribal Counsel including Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache local tribal leaders and members will participate with us throughout our Lunch and will Bless our bikes during our departure from Fort Sill. We hope to have a Medal of Honor Recipient, State and Local leaders, and the Commanding General as our guest for Lunch also. Midway Advance and Fuel Teams will visit and luncheon at the Lawton Veterans Center, lay wreaths at the National Cemetery in Elgin, OK and Oklahoma Veterans Memorial in Shawnee, OK. Thanks to Mark “Mazz” Masman, OK State Coordinator, and Mike “Heavy” King, Asst. OK State Coordinator.
Day 7, Monday, May 22. 2023: There have been many different name variations for this day. I prefer, Continuing the Mission. There are three voluntary Outreach Missions. Outreach #1 to Murfreesboro, TN; Outreach #2 to Lebanon, TN; and, Outreach #3 to Sunbright,TN. We will stage in the host hotel parking lot, riders briefing at 9:00am, we will depart NLT 9:30am and be back at host hotel NLT 3:00pm. We will parade as a group at 4:45 pm to dinner at the Leslie Town Center that evening escorted by the Local Leos. Those pulling trailers will be able to unhook for the day. Cookeville has rolled out the red carpet for us so let’s give them all our support with 100% participation the entire day. A sign up sheet has been added to the Midway Hub for you to choose which Outreach you wish to participate in if any. There is also a question on the form to measure rider interest and size requirements for the Cookeville long sleeve white ONE OF A KIND Honor T-shirt.
Click here to go directly to the form, or click the link under my picture on the Midway Route Hub webpage.
Midway Route leadership and state coordinators are meeting monthly. From platoon leaders, to the gas stops, to the law enforcement escorts, every detail of our journey is being scrutinized, analyzed, reviewed and reviewed again. 2023 Midway Route is going to be a ride you will not forget. This ride will change your life!
In less than 50 days we will be gathering in Ontario, be prepared for the ride of your life!
Welcome Home
Is it May yet?
Jerry “Corp” Wilkins
“Service Before Self”
RFTW 2023 Midway Route Coordinator
Email- jerry.wilkins@rftw.us
Four Routes, One Mission!
