The Ontario Pre-Run Schedule of Events Has Now Been Posted
Find the Ontario Pre-run Schedule on our website under each route’s schedule of events, or you can view it by clicking here. Much appreciation to Carol and Todd Taylor for all the work getting this event organized. When you see Carol, please be sure to thank her and her team of volunteers.
There will be a shuttle in Ontario this year running continuous loops between the Host Hotel and the Elks Lodge. The hours of operation are:
May 12th…………….1200 to 2000Hrs.
May 13th…………….0700 to 2100Hrs.
May 14th…………….0700 to 2100Hrs.
Addresses from and to are:
Holiday Inn Ontario, 2155 E Convention Center Way, Ontario, CA 91764
Ontario Elks Lodge, 1150 W 4th Street, Ontario, CA 91762.
The intrepid Carol has arranged for RFTW advertising, at no cost, on 6 billboards in and around the Ontario area, including the 210, 15, 10 and 60 freeways. These are in addition to the marquee at the Ontario Convention Center. Get the word out to the public!!
Bitchin’ Stitchin’ will be back doing patches, zippers, snaps, repairs, etc. this year. They will be located at the Elks Club. I would like to encourage you to use them as they donate a portion of their proceeds back to RFTW. Their hours of operation are:
5/10 Friday 14:00 – 18:00
5/11 – 5/14 09:00 – 18:00
The DC/Arlington schedule, contained in some of the Route’s itineraries, is as follows:
Saturday, 25 May
For those selected to conduct the wreath laying ceremony at ANC, staging begins at the Host Hotel at 0630 in the lower-level garage at the host hotel. Please be staged NLT 0730 so you don’t miss the mandatory safety meeting. KSU is at 0800. Please see your RC for more information on participation.
0900-1015 – Sandbox registration (host hotel lobby)
1100 – Begin assembling on the STEPS of the Lincoln Memorial (see additional comments below)
1130 – Photo
1215 – Mission Accomplished ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial apex
1300-1600 – Sandbox Registration (host hotel lobby)
1400-1530 – Leadership Equipment pickup
1430-1500 – SB Road Guard meeting
1500-1530 – SB Team Leads meeting
1530-1630 – All Leadership Meeting
1630 – 1730 – SB All riders meeting
1730-1800 – SB SNG Recap
As a reminder, at the Lincoln Memorial, there can be no chanting, singing, bullhorns, etc. Also, you must NOT climb or sit on any of the columns or pedestals; we are to remain on the steps. Please help us comply with this Park Service request. Our compliance will help us ensure we can obtain permits in the future.
As a reminder, at the Lincoln Memorial, there can be no chanting, singing, bullhorns, etc. Also, you must NOT climb or sit on any of the columns or pedestals; we are to remain on the steps. Please help us comply with this Park Service request. Our compliance will help us ensure we can obtain permits in the future.
Also, remember, there is to be no parking on the grass in and around the National Mall. Doing so may result in having your motorcycle towed and impounded. Being as this is a holiday weekend, getting it released from impound might prove difficult.
RFTW now has a Social Media Director. KC is working hard to try and take advantage of this year’s Run. If you would like to share your experience with RFTW via video footage or still photography, he will edit them to fit within the variety of social media parameters. We will include your name, road name, the route and location of the footage.
KC also offers the following: For those that will be using action cameras (GoPro, Insta360, or DJI’s), to save your battery life and keep your camera from overheating when riding and or losing your footage or worse corrupting the SD card, carry extra SD cards. KC also suggests turning off your Wi-Fi pairing when not in use. This helps if you are in areas where your cell services may go into roaming mode.
If you are using a GMRS radio, we recommend you not have your cameras connected to your phones. This may cause a disruption in communications or generate a very loud squelch-type noise.
Our YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/c/rftwus. Both X (Twitter) and Instagram are @RunForTheWall (https://twitter.com/RunForTheWall and https://www.instagram.com/RunForTheWall). When you make posts to ANY social media platform, please use #runforthewall. We ask that you do not use other naming conventions (i.e., #rftw-midway, or #runforthewallsr, etc.) as those will negatively impact our efforts to bring viewers to our posts and platforms. Remember we always want to post pictures and videos that honor our Mission.
KC is working on bringing the roughly 11 Run For The Wall non-FB social media sites under one “cover” so we can all easily post contributions.
Please remember, RFTW does not support any political candidate, position, or opinion. We are a veterans support charitable organization, and we ask that each and every one of you respect that. There is no room for politics on the Run; there will be enough time for that later. As we all know so well, our world is ever changing. Events are sometimes magnets for those whose ideas and ideals do not align with ours. Keep your eyes open, and if you see something, say something. Do not just shrug it off; let a leader know.
Finally, before we go to KSU, I believe it is proper to remember why we ride. It is not about any of us, it is not about the color of the hat one wears, it is not about taking a cross-country motorcycle ride. It is about our Mission. We need to keep in mind that “We Ride for Those Who Can’t” is more than just a motto. This Mission is about calling for accountability of those 1577 still missing; it is about supporting those families still seeking answers. Our Mission is also about reflection, healing, educating, and reminding America of the sacrifices our veterans, their families and friends made in defense of our Nation. It is about thanking those who served, those who are serving, and those who paid the ultimate price. Our Run is also a joyous annual reunion as we all regroup and set our sights toward that Mission. And though our Annual Run is certainly an event worth celebrating, please keep in mind that our Mission is real and should be treated with Honor and serious Commitment. It must not be treated like a party.
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.
KSU is in 22 days. Let’s all get our heads in the game and put the Mission in our sights.
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
Additional Ontario Motorcycle Service Information
Harley-Davidson®
Riverside Harley-Davidson
7688 Indiana Ave, Riverside, CA 92504
Phone: 1-951-785-0100 OR 1-833-743-0517
Hours: M-F 10AM-7PM – Sat 9AM-6PM – Sun 10AM-5PM
Note: The service manager has requested to call ahead and schedule all service appointments. This will help the service manager to better staff the shop to get all service appointments done in a quick and timely manner so as to cut down on delays. If you show up without scheduling an appointment you will be serviced but BE PREPARED TO WAIT!!!
Honda – Yamaha – Suzuki – Kawasaki*
The following dealer will be providing (limited) service…
*NOTE: For Kawasaki motorcycles they will only be performing basic oil/filter changes.
Mountain Motorsports
1025 N. Mountain Ave, Ontario, CA 91762
Phone: 1-909-988-8988
Hours: M-F 10AM–5PM – Sat 9AM-4PM – (CLOSED SUNDAY)
Note: The service manager has requested to call ahead and schedule all service appointments. This will help the service manager to better staff the shop to get all service appointments done in a quick and timely manner.
Indian
HYR – Honda/Yamaha of Redlands
215 E Redlands Blvd, Redlands, CA 92373
Phone: 1-909-793-2833
Hours: Tues – Sat 9AM-6PM (CLOSED SUNDAY & MONDAY)
Note: The service manager has requested to call ahead and schedule all service appointments. This will help the service manager to better staff the shop to get all service appointments done in a quick and timely manner.
