RFTW Southern Route Newsletter April 2026
Run For The Wall Mission
To promote healing among all veterans and their family and friends
Call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War & Missing in Action (POW/MIA)
Honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA)
Support our military people all over the world
Welcome, everyone! We are knocking on the door now! We have 42 days until KSU and I’m getting really anxious to see all of our riders in Ontario. A whole lot of planning goes into making The Run go as smoothly as possible. In my previous years on The Run, I’d show up in time for the meetings, hang out, eat an inordinate amount of food and then hit the road. This year, I got an up-close view of what goes on to get everyone into Ontario and into the DC area. My thanks to all the State Coordinators, Team Leads, my Mentor and my headquarters group! Without their support and guidance, I would still be at the starting gate!
REGISTRATION
Our registration numbers are right around 280 registered riders and we’re looking for that number to increase up until we go KSU. Registration info can be found at the RFTW website (rftw.us), and the price is $120. That price will be constant until we close Top Sarge’s Registration Table at Lot D on 13 May 2026 at 0600. Our Platoon Coordinator, Bravo 6, will be at the Registration table to give your platoon assignments. NOTICE – Be advised that it might become necessary to consolidate platoons if one platoon has six bikes and another has eight or ten bikes, those platoons will be consolidated. Bravo 6 will do his utmost to ensure you are placed where you would like to be, but as mentioned, you might be assigned to another platoon. It’s the mission that counts!
MERCHANDISE
I have spoken with the Director of Merchandise, and the online store will be closing sometime at the end of April. So, I strongly recommend that you browse the online store and place your order so you can get your stuff before you leave for The Run. We’re going to have a merchandise trailer at the Elks Lodge and at the host hotel, just in case you remember that you didn’t buy your spouse the t-shirt you promised and can pick it up at the other merchandise trailer. Carol Olmstead will be at either trailer, but it’ll be a surprise either way.
PRE-PAID FUEL
Pre-Paid Fuel is the way to go! Having the Pre-Paid Fuel sticker on your windshield will make it easier for you at the fuel stops, and it will be easier for the Fuel Team as well. It’s also worth mentioning that it will save you some money, too.
The most recommended and easiest way to pay for the Pre-Paid Fuel is to send it by Zelle. Most banks have the app shown on their website and mark your payment to southern.route@rftw.us. Please don’t forget the dot in the address.
The second way to pay is by check made out to: Southern Route Pre-Paid Fuel and send it to the following:
Run for The Wall, Inc.
ATTN: Southern Route Pre-Paid Fuel
50 Fourth Ave, Unit 1445
Dayton, NV 89403
Make sure that your payment is made out to Southern Route Pre-Paid Fuel. If there is an overage, those monies will go for paying the fuel for the Chase Trucks, Hydration Truck and our other support vehicles.
The third way to pay is in person at the Registration Table with CASH ONLY-NO EXCEPTIONS.
IMPORTANT: All payments for Pre-Paid Fuel must be received by the RFTW Treasurer by May 04, 2026 in order to be credited for RFTW 2026. This includes mailed in checks and Zelle.
CHASE TRUCKS
Chase trucks are outstanding! I had to use one once at the Longview lunch stop. Scooter wouldn’t start, and we had to push it onto the Chase Truck trailer. Took it to Monroe, where Warhawk Harley got her fixed up and on the road. Please be advised that the responsibility of ensuring your bike/trike is tied down properly and safely secured. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BIKE’S OWNER!! Not the Chase Truck driver. The driver is there to assist with the tie-down, but the ultimate responsibility will be the bike’s rider. That is a hard and fast rule. It will be enforced!
ROLLING TO REMEMBER
Rolling to Remember is organized by the AmVets organization, and they have honored Run For The Wall by placing RFTW riders directly behind the AmVets riders. It’s taken a couple of years to make this happen, so we are grateful for this opportunity and look forward to riding with the AmVets in years to come. If you’re not going to ride Sandbox on Sunday, this is a must-do.
The president of the Board wants to ensure that we understand a few things:
Rolling to Remember IS NOT an RFTW sanctioned event. Participation is entirely voluntary. A group of people (or riders) familiar with SDC traffic patterns will be traveling to the appropriate staging area for Rolling to Remember. Staging for the RtR event will be at the American Legion Post parking lot, starting at 0715 with a 0745 departure. Please do NOT enter the parking lot until SandBox has departed. Anyone who previously participated in this year’s annual Run For The Wall (must show the RFTW ribbon on the left mirror) is welcome to ride with that group.
This is independent of RFTW, and in no way should be construed as an RFTW-sanctioned event.
I have participated in this event back in the Rolling Thunder days. It is an amazing event and should be attended as often as possible.
CAMPING AT THE ELKS LODGE
The camping spots at the Elks Lodge are all taken. The camping spots at the Elks Lodge are handled by Carol Olmstead, not the Elks. Please do not call the Elks Lodge. I’m pretty sure she has a waiting list, so please contact Carol for more info.
SAFETY AND PERSONAL PREP
We have 42 days to get our rides and ourselves in shape for The Run. My ’22 sprung a leak last weekend, and it puddled on Mike “Bonehead” Kyzer’s garage floor. (Sorry, Mike!) It’s in the shop and should be ready to rock! Keep an eye on your ride. Make sure the needed maintenance is completed and that it’s roadworthy.
Rider, you must be tuned up for the arduous Ride coming up. Longer rides should be had, and you should be checking your meds. You’ll need to have about a month’s worth to ensure you’ll have enough in case Murphy shows his unwanted face.
HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE oh, HYDRATE!!
OPEN POSITIONS
We are still looking for a Social Media person to keep the rest of the world informed as to our progress and all the cool things we’ll be doing. Like riding our bikes for a couple of thousand miles and meeting new friends and tolerating the old ones 😊. This position is important as it will allow riders on the other routes to check us out and see how; and what we’re doing along with the friends and families.
Another position that is desperately needed is Fundraising/Raffle/50-50. We really need someone who is organized and is a people person. I helped out occasionally when I was in the Support Platoon. It can be fun, and as they say, it’s a great way to meet people!
Please contact me, Short, Boots, or Bravo 6 if you are interested in either of these positions
RUNS TO THE RUN
These Runs to The Run are not sanctioned by Run For the Wall. The participants are like-minded individuals who enjoy honing their riding skills, catching up with old friends, and making new ones. There will be conversations on the RFTW Forum about these runs to the run. The forum can be accessed here.
My good friend Jim “Hoofer” McCrain is starting in Arlington, TX, on 9 May 2026 and heading west around 0815hrs. For more info, check out forum.rftw.us, as he’ll have the itinerary there as well as on the RFTW Facebook page. He finds great food!
MISSING MAN & MARINE BARRACKS
If you’d be interested in riding in the Missing Man Formation, contact Mike “Bonehead” Kyzer for all the info and how many slots are open.
Mike Kyzer will also be organizing the attendance and tickets to the Marine Barracks Parade on Friday evening, 22 May 2026.
Send Mike an email at mike.kyzer@rftw.us if you’re interested in either or both of these activities.
I am honored to be the Route Coordinator for the Southern Route, and I do not take this role lightly. Our mission is at the top of this newsletter, and my secondary mission is to get every rider to the Vietnam Memorial Wall so we can pay our respects. My mission is also to get those riding the Sandbox Route to the DC area so they can carry on the mission to the Middle East Conflicts Wall. We owe it to those service members who paid the ultimate price.
We can pay our respects to those who have fallen in those conflicts. To paraphrase my mentor and good friend, Cowboy. They visited our wall for years; we can pay them that same respect by going to visit their wall.
David “Buzz” Mullen
SR RC
RFTW 2026
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Midway Route Photos from previous runs are no longer available. 