President’s Message:
On behalf of the Board of Directors and our 2021 Route Coordinators I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a joyful holiday season. Moreover, we wish you all a very Happy and better New Year- which should not be hard as 2020 disappears in our rear-view mirrors. Already the virus vaccine looks like something we can be grateful for, especially concerning the nation’s health. I am also grateful we will get the chance to complete our thirty-second annual Run For The Wall next spring.
The December Board of Directors opened this month with a virtual briefing from our new Washington DC Coordinator, Gail Dipple. Gail has contacted the hotels we are familiar with and is working on another hotel based on the current registration numbers. Additionally, we are all working to make RFTW routes more efficient and safer arrivals into Arlington. We will once again ask folks to avoid driving into the Holiday Inn’s parking lot if you do not have a reservation with them.
On the West Coast, California state coordinator Carol Olmstead has completed her hotel contracts which will be published along with all route hotel lists on Jan. 1, 2021. The combined hotels will have plenty of rooms available to meet our needs all across the country. In California, conference rooms will be available along with a vendor area. Please keep reading your route coordinator’s monthly briefings for any further details of hotels and other RC updates.
With the start of December, I was waiting for stories and documentaries on the attack on Pearl Harbor that occurred Dec. 7, 1941. I was disappointed there was so little on television or the Internet. What was framed as “the day that will live in infamy” by President Roosevelt as he declared war on Japan seemed minimized in contrast to last year.
The History Channel did have a good historical review that outlined the “lead up” to Pearl Harbor, then the attack itself.
There is much in our history that should not be forgotten or minimized, and I believe that keeping dates – such as the day Pearl Harbor was attacked – in focus is the duty of veterans and veteran organizations who know more than most the pain and life-changing events of warfare.
Please join me in marking historical days on your 2021 calendar in remembrance of service members and their families, that they are not forgotten. “We ride for those who can’t.”
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, USA — April 26, 2013: The USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii as seen from a shuttle boat arriving. Guests are visible on the memorial. Also visible is the concrete plaform identifying the remains of the USS Arizona.
Thank You
As I conclude the last message of 2020, I would like to thank all the riders and supporters of Run For The Wall for your loyalty, energy and the time you donate to Run For The Wall. Your participation is critical to each year’s success. Each year we reach out to riders and supporters seeking skills that are needed to fill positions on the routes, board committees and Board of Directors. At this time, we are seeking someone willing to serve on the BOD as Risk Management Director. If you are interested, please click on the following link to read the required skills: https://rftw.us/forums/topic/seeking-applicants-for-director-of-risk-management-registration-2021/ If you are qualified please send a resume to Diann McKee at diann.mckee@rftw.us.
Once again have a great holiday season, a blessed Christmas, and hold your family close.
Is it May yet?
Respectfully submitted,
Les “Easy” Williams
President Run For The Wall, Inc
