Dear Sandbox Riders, Families, and Friends,
Well, October has arrived, and with it, hopefully cooler days. Even here in Las Vegas, it’s finally cooling off and becoming perfect riding weather. I hope this newsletter finds you and your families in good health as we continue to get closer to May. Polar Bear, Cyborg, and I have been reviewing the itinerary and making slight changes designed to maximize our impact on each stop while ensuring each travel day is safe and productive as we travel from DC to Marseilles. Other leaders are building their teams and continuing to plan for May. Every volunteer leader plays a significant role in the success of our route. They work tirelessly throughout the year to ensure Sandbox is a success year after year. Almost all of our leaders are returning in the same role as last year, so we can look forward to another smooth operation in May!
Missing Man Formation
In the very near future, our Missing Man Coordinator, James “Juice” Brown will be filling positions in the Missing Man Formation. If you’re not familiar with the Missing Man Formation, here is a short description that can be found on the RFTW website under “About.”
The Missing Man Formation is a rolling salute to honor the memory of the fallen, KIA, MIA, or POW. Five bikes ride in formation with a space where one bike should be,
symbolizing the person’s absence. On each leg of each route, we honor a different individual in the Missing Man Formation. There is a short ceremony just prior to the departure of the pack, and we SAY THEIR NAMES so that their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
You will also notice that the riders participating in the Missing Man Formation do not wave at onlookers while riding in formation. Their ride is solemn and sincere – a rolling salute. This is the highest form of honor and respect, and serves as a stark reminder of those who sacrificed their future for that of our nation. May their memories always be a blessing and may we never forget that freedom is not free.
This opportunity is an honor we extend primarily to Fun New Guys or Gals (FNGs) for one leg of the route. Because our route is so short and because you’re only an FNG once, we ask that only “true” Sandbox FNGs apply for the position in the formation. If you are an FNG on a cross-country route, please contact your Missing Man Coordinator for a slot. If you’re an FNG in 2026 on a cross-country route and don’t get the opportunity to ride in their formation, make sure Juice is aware of that. His contact information is available on the rftw.us website under the Sandbox Hub. Because our Route’s main effort and final destination is the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial, it’s most appropriate that your Missing Man be from the conflicts represented by our Wall. This helps us to say their names and never forget.
As you may have heard, 2026 is the 35th Anniversary of the ending of the Gulf War. This milestone is especially relevant to us because of our focus on Middle East Conflicts. We’ll continue to discuss the importance of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and try to tell the stories of those who served in that war and the sacrifices they made.
Please continue to get yourselves ready for May because it is definitely creeping up on us! Think about your load plan, motorcycle maintenance, personal fitness, medications, emergency contacts, insurance, registration, and many other important things that we all must do to be ready for RFTW XXXVI. Talk to your leaders about what to expect and how to prepare for it. You have amazing leaders, many from the three cross-country routes, who have the best interests of the Sandbox Route and RFTW in mind. Their knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we prepare for Kickstands Up.
I look forward to meeting you all in Springfield, VA in May!
Leo “Clutch” Rachmel
Run For The Wall XXXVI
Sandbox Route Coordinator
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Midway Route Photos from previous runs are no longer available. 