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President’s Message January 2021

 

President’s Message:

Hello from the chilly state of Colorado! Hope you are all doing well and staying warm. I was going to write this message a few days ago but found myself busy taking calls and reading emails regarding our 2021 Run For the Wall.

Yesterday I pulled away from those calls and emails and noticed the weather was in the 50s, so I arranged to go riding with an RFTW friend who just purchased a new Indian Challenger. We had a great ride and spent about three hours riding and enjoying the warmer weather. Jeremy’s new Indian is an impressive motorcycle. When I got home, I felt better than I have in three days – getting in the wind is the magic elixir as evidenced by this message.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

I suspect you all may be curious about all the phone calls and emails I mentioned above. While I have been on the Board of Directors, we all have been asked questions which we may not be able to answer. This year is no different. The recent questions asked have been centered around whether the pandemic will, once again, thwart or disrupt the 32nd RFTW. And several folks have asked if they will have to be vaccinated to participate on the Run.

While the answers to these speculative questions have been elusive, the Board of Directors are moving forward on planning and working towards a successful mission in 2021. We do not have all the answers yet, but we will continue planning and will incorporate new information as it is received.

Already the planning phase of RFTW 2021 has hit a few speed bumps regarding some stops. The route and state coordinators have handled many of these issues and continue to solve new problems. Their efforts on your behalf have been extraordinary.

During the January Board of Directors meeting the briefings from the RCs and the Directors were all centered around finishing up the planning process. We heard a few problems that were shared by most of the routes concerning lunch stops. Those RCs are working with their state coordinators to find solutions. The hotels along all the routes are working out successfully.

 

Our new California host hotel has been giving some really great deals to RFTW including the donation of rooms for registration, route supplies and meetings. The move into a new host hotel presents only one problem and that is a shortage of parking space. Our California state coordinator Carol Olmstead continues to advise me that space will be limited – especially the vendor area which will be much smaller than previous years. The parking area for motorcycles might be roped off for motorcycles only, so we will get out information on these issues.

The hotel prohibits all sales of raffle items and/or tickets in the hotel. Carol will try to get a table or two for outside sales during the day. Carol also reports the inside and outside security patrols will be 24-hour coverage. All riders are encouraged to lock bikes, tour packs and saddle bags. We still have the use of Lot D which will be across Holt Blvd for some events and our KSU program on Wednesday morning. The Ontario schedule should be available in April

 

Above, after the ride to Riverside National Cemetery
a few years ago, we took a side trip to Camp Pendleton.

 

As we close this message out, I would like to thank you all for the efforts you have made this year to keep Run For The Wall in your hearts.

Remember those who are suffering, including our friends in New Mexico where the Navajo Nation has been hit extremely hard by Covid. God willing, we will be able to stop by and help them out in person this year.

It’s been a tough year and we appreciate all of you for your volunteer efforts and support.

God bless the United States of America.

Is it May yet?

Respectfully submitted,
Les “Easy” Williams
RFTW BOD President

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