Midway Route Coordinator Newsletter – May 2025

Midway Family, May is here!!!!!!!

We are now just 12 Days from KSU. Your leadership teams are putting the final touches on your Midway adventure.

At the risk of repeating myself, I must remind all of us about where our focus should be. What do we truly need to pack for our 11-day adventure. Just the essentials because there is not a lot of room on the bike for anything else. And always remember, there are stores everywhere. It has always helped me to prepare a checklist of necessary items: Prescriptions, toiletries, changes of clothes, undergarments, extra glasses, long-sleeved shirts, socks, warm clothing for those cold mornings, extra gloves for those cold mornings, etc. The more you pack, the more weight you carry.

Pre-Paid Fuel

The “early purchase” Pre-Paid fuel option is now closed.  But, you can still get your pre-paid fuel sticker at registration check-in – CASH ONLY! At registration your payment will be verified or cash accepted, and you will be issued a fuel sticker. This will go on your windshield, on the clutch side just below your platoon number. For individuals with windshield banners, clutch side, beside your banner. Please remember, even with prepaid fuel you need to come to Staging each morning with a full tank of gas.

Route Itinerary

The Midway Route Itinerary has now been published and is available HERE. You can either print out a copy or download it to your phone or mobile device. This will provide you with a minute by minute, Day by day glimpse of exactly what you will be involved in. Additionally, I know many of you have friends that wish to meet you or stand on an overpass and recognize your personal adventure. The itinerary provides exact locations for you and your friends. Lastly, it also provides emergency Medical and Chase vehicle phone numbers to assist you with any issues you may face along the route.

Ontario Schedule of Events

The Ontario Pre-Run Itinerary/Schedule of Events has also been published and each of your team/Platoon leaders has been given a copy. Please ensure you are where you need to be to attend your meetings to meet your fellow riders and have the most current information. Additionally, there is also a schedule of events happening at the Elks lodge including meals.

A shuttle schedule has also been published between the host hotel and the Elks lodge if you wish to use it.

Registration

Believe it or not, there are still individuals who have not registered for the run.

Please register now. Our registration team needs to have you on their computers, so we know if you have made it to Ontario.

End of Mission at the Wall

The RFTW picture at the Lincoln Memorial will be on 24 May at 0900. You need to be there early to find a good location for the photo. Immediately afterwards we will walk to the Vietnam Memorial and have the “End of Mission” ceremony” where all four route coordinators will lay the RFTW Mission plaque at the apex of the wall. This will occur at 0930 so you need to make your way to the wall with a purpose.

Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown

Midway has been assigned 19 motorcycles with 38 seats available to ride to the “Tomb of the Unknown soldier” and observe a laying of a wreath on behalf of all the riders from RFTW. This is truly an honor. The only motorcycles allowed on Arlington National Cemetery grounds are those from RFTW. A lottery will be used to select the riders. FNG’s and Vietnam vets only!

Please contact your platoon leader for additional details

Always remember our primary reason for riding is our Mission:

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.

Donations

If you are working with any organizations that are contributing to the Midway route for 2025, please remind them that there are only 12 days left to process the donation and to be useful in support of this year’s adventure.

Pack and repack your bike. (You do not need as much as you may think). Walk, run, stretch, exercise!

Ride your bike, if possible. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!

Do NOT procrastinate. Do it today!!!

Lastly, please remember that we respect all riders and their opinions. NO ATTITUDES!

Remember that we are on a Mission that requires all of us to work together and help each other in order to be successful. Set your own wants and needs aside and reflect on the hardships and commitment of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country free.

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. in the hope that they can return home to a new beginning.

Freedom Isn’t Free

Say Their Name, Tell Their Story, Never Forget

 See you in Ontario. Be safe in your travels. Maybe practice Throttle control instead of using your brakes. Just saying!!!!