And just like that, it is March.
Ontario and KSU for our Mission is rapidly approaching. I hope the weather in your location is conducive to riding and preparing for the Run. RFTW teams are working hard to finish planning for Run XXXIV. May is just around the corner, and we continue work on Run XXXV. Our incredibly dedicated SCs are scrambling to tie up last-minute details for this year’s Run; RCs are doing their magic; Purchasing is working on the supplies necessary to make the Run a success. Many riders are prepping themselves for the Run. Riding this mission takes a lot out of you and requires attention and pre-ride preparation so one can safely complete the mission. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO GET READY FOR MAY? I urge you to take the time to go over the myriad of details associated with riding this year’s Mission. Do not forget to look at your prescription meds and ensure you will have a sufficient supply to get you through the Run!!
There are some upcoming things that will certainly spark interest among our riders. I don’t want to release many of the details as they are not yet final but stay tuned for more information soon. One of the things I will release is that the BoD composition is changing. We are adding a Director of Social Media and a Director of Special Projects. The social media position will be advertised very soon, and the special projects position will be advertised shortly.
As a reminder, if you would like to work sales on the Midway merchandise trailer, please send Alan an email at merchandise@rftw.us. We are still one person short of our preferred two-person team. You may make a significant difference!
As we go through the year, there are dates that carry significant meaning to our riders and our Mission. March 20th (some say March 19th) is the 21st anniversary of the start of Iraqi Freedom, as the US and coalition forces began the move to oust Saddam Hussein and take down the Iraqi government. 21 years. March 29th is the 49th anniversary of the day the last combat troops left Vietnam. Anniversaries that are 28 years apart, yet both eras impact so many of our riders. Different generations, different circumstances forever linked by commonality of purpose; to answer the call of our country. I ask that each of us work to ensure we are focusing on our Mission and that we deliberately and decisively work towards providing a healing, inclusive environment.
If you need a reminder of why we ride, I urge you to take some time and review the latest documentary on RFTW at All The Way. The Story of Run For The Wall. (youtube.com). This epitomizes WHY we ride. I realize time changes many things, but when was the last time you wondered if any of our MIA are still alive? When was the last time you thought about the suffering many of our POWs endured? When is the last time you truly reflected on what you bring to our Mission?
As you may have seen in a FB post, Carol is working on the possibility of riders going to the March AFB museum following the ride the Riverside National Cemetery. This is a Tuesday event, with KSU tentatively scheduled for 0815 from the Elks Club. The Elks will be serving breakfast so our riders can stage, eat, and leave from the same location. Right now, the cost of entrance to the museum is $10, but Blaze is trying to get that lifted. If you are interested in going to the museum, please email Carol at carollolmstead@ymail.com so she can provide a head count. Rumor has it that the museum is planning to rope off a parking area for us.
As you know so well, it takes thousands of volunteers to ensure our Mission executes as planned. One of the societal impacts affecting the Run is that we are not getting as many qualified volunteers as in the past. Costs of taking part in the Run have risen, many riders take precious vacation time to participate, and critical positions may be left unfilled. A perfect example is our difficulty in putting together a two-person team for sales on the Midway merchandise trailer. Merchandise sales are a critical part of RFTW finances. Registration fees help, but quite frankly, they do not pay the bills. In 2022, we lost $17,000; in 2023 we were able to reduce losses to $10,000. While we are not looking to make a profit, we cannot continue to sustain these types of losses. To that end, the Executive BoD is going to be taking a hard look at everything that involves money. We already reduced our two annual Face-to-Face meetings to one; we just completed our first Winter Face-to-Face as a weekend Zoom meeting marathon on both Saturday and Sunday. It seemed to work very well; Saturday was quite a marathon for the Exec BoD, Sunday we were able to work through all the agenda items without a hitch. More to follow on all of this as we look at our business practices.
If you are still on the fence and have not yet registered, we ask that you do so as soon as possible. Our State Coordinators are working hard to finalize plans and rely on a pre-Run head count to ensure we can care for everyone’s needs. Our Day Rider registration process kicked in on 1 February, so please visit https://rftw.us/rftw-registration for all the details.
Finally, just in case you have heard rumors, we put together a team of experienced RFTW riders to take a hard look at everything RFTW. Nothing is sacred. We have 3+ years of rider data and are beginning to see certain trends within our program. We are also reviewing AARs from the past 3 years, along with rider’s comments. You may see a survey or two come out, and if so, please ensure you respond. Your response will help immensely. Periodically, the study team will make recommendations to the BoD for discussions and decisions on implementing adjustments to the program. If you have specific suggestions on ways to improve the Run, please complete a Contact form. We would love to hear from you. More to follow as this too progresses.
No one left behind is more than a standard we all live up to. It is a way of life. It is part of our Mission. If you or someone you know find themselves struggling with their mental health, please know you can contact the VA Veteran’s Crisis Line by dialing 988 then press 1 or text 838255 and speak or chat with a qualified responder.
Let us remember to keep our focus on the Mission. It is why we ride!
Say Their Names – Tell Their Stories – Never Forget.
Back to Basics. Back to the RFTW Mission.
Is it May yet?
John “Turkey” Staub
President, RFTW, Inc.
2011- CR FNG
2012 – CR Participant
2013 – CR Staging Team
2014 – 2015 – CR Staging Team Ass’t. Lead
2016-2017 – CR Staging Team Lead
2022 – CR Platoon Coordinator
2023 – CR and Sandbox Road Guard
2020 – Present – RFTW BoD member
