Midway Route Coordinator Newsletter – May 2026

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

We are now just 13 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 10-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 pre-paid fuel option is now closed.  You can only pay cash at check-in at Ontario. There are no credit card options. 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 Itineraries

Itineraries have now been published and are available on the Midway website. You can either print out a copy or use the QR code and 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 and Springfield Schedule of events

A copy of both the Ontario and Springfield schedule of events are available on the RFTW website – Midway page on the menus on the left-hand side of the page. In addition, each of your team/Platoon leaders has been given a copy of the Ontario schedule of events. 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 in Ontario, if you wish to use it.

Registration

Believe it or not, there are still individuals who have not registered for the run. The process for registration is new this year. Please be patient as we work within this new system.

Registration will be conducted each evening immediately after dinner for new riders.

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 23 May at 0900. You need to be there early to find a good location for the photo. Parking will be strictly enforced this so please park your bike only in designated areas or uber or cab to 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 20 motorcycles with 39 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.  FNG’s only will be allowed this year!

Friendly reminder for ANC riders

You are not allowed to have any weapons on you or a GMRS radio on your motorcycle. In addition, you must have your state “Real ID” or a passport on your person to enter a federal installation.

Please contact your platoon leader or FNG Coordinator for additional details

Rolling to Remember

RFTW group will depart ALP on Sunday, May 26^th after Sandbox Route has cleared the parking lot. Anyone who is registered for one of the RFTW C2C or Sandbox routes and, are not going on Sandbox, can come for the morning breakfast buffet at the ALP. Breakfast will end when Sandbox departs, RTR event staging area is at the Pentagon North Parking lot. Bring cameras, snacks, sunscreen and lots of water.

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 2026, please remind them that there are very few 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 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!!!!