Posted on Leave a comment

Details of RFTW-DRUSA Houston Relief Effort and Sign-up

Below is the schedule, dates, times, and sign-up form for the Run For the Wall and DRUSA relief effort for Houston from Hurricane Harvey.  The goal here is to help as many veterans that were affected as possible.  Now we need your muscle, labor, and couple days of your time, if you are so able to assist in that way.

 

RFTW / DRUSA PROJECT

DATE: February 6-10, 2018
HEADQUARTERS: Emmanuel Worship Center
2427 FM 528
Alvin, TX 77511
Pastor Avelino & Lily Da Silva

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Emmanuel Worship Center will provide:

  • classrooms for couples
  • Large room for single ladies
  • Large room for men
  • Those staying at Emmanuel should bring
    • Bedrolls
    • Air mattress
    • Towels

Motel will also be made available (Bill Terry)

PROJECTED PROJECTS

  • Five homes with need of (There will be veterans homes but not limited to veterans)
    • some clean out and preparation
    • Light plumbing
    • Minor electrical work
    • Carpentry
    • Drywall hung and finished (final texture done by company that has been contracted)
    • Paint
    • General Handyman type work
    • Insulation
    • Trash Hauled off??
  • Realizing the impossibility of completing a project in 4.5 days, realistic goals will be established with the homeowner prior to engaging the job.

BUDGET

  • $22,000 donated by RFTW
  • $28,000 donated by DRUSA
  • $10,000 per house

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

  • Field Kitchen (Bill Terry)
  • Shower Trailer (Gordon Knox – arriving 2-5-18)
  • Tool Trailer
    • Mark Richardson
    • Danny Stewart
  • Tools needed
    • Hand tools for carpentry
    • Hand tools for minor plumbing work
    • Hand tools for minor electrical work
    • Drywall hanging and finishing tools (several cordless drills with screw drivers)

SCHEDULE

FEBRUARY 4

  • Bill Terry arrives and speaks at the church for preparation
  • Gordon and Yvonne Knox arrive with shower trailer and no harm forms to be filled out
  • David Moore arrives with the steps for the shower trailer
  • Gary and Carolyn arrive late

FEBRUARY 5

  • Shower Trailer setup on location
  • Field Kitchen will arrive
  • 10am – ???pm – Registration
    • Yvonne & Carolyn will handle the forms and registration
    • Everyone will register at Emmanuel on Monday
  • Final prep of all projects
  • Finalizing of teams (goal is to integrate RFTW, DRUSA and M25 into teams)

FEBRUARY 6 – 9

  • Breakfast 7 am
  • Work 8 am to 5 – 6 pm
  • Dinner 7 pm
  • Lunch & snacks will be provided by runners to the jobs

FEBRUARY 10

  • Breakfast 7 am
  • Non-denominational service 8:00 am
  • If needed, return to project and work until noon
  • Projected departure after lunch

Posted on Leave a comment

President’s Message – December 2017

Hello, Everyone –
Can you believe it is December already? The RFTW 2018 planning process is moving along smoothly and all route hotel lists will be ready for publishing after the start of the new year.

Hotel arrangements in Ontario, CA are being finalized by our California State Coordinator, Carol Olmstead, and Arlington, VA, hotels are being wrapped up by John Staub. To find these hotel listings please check at: www.rftw.us on the route hubs on Jan. 1, 2018. Once again, please be patient when dealing with hotel employees, this includes when making reservations, and also during the check-in and check-out process in May. All these hotels are the product of years of hard work and relationship building, and we do not want to lose them. Remember, we treat everyone we encounter WITH RESPECT!

As you prepare for May: One way to enhance rider safety training—in addition to all-important riding courses—is to read motorcycle safety articles. One very good place to find these safety articles is the American Motorcyclist magazine. The November issue contained information from a congressionally mandated “Motorcycle Crash Causation Study.” That study found that, “Traffic scanning errors by the drivers of other vehicles contributed to 70% of motorcycle crashes!” Another causation was, “Only 8% of riders who crashed had taken a course for experienced riders.”

Moreover, findings encourage regular training, “It is especially important to recognize that periodic re-training and advanced courses can help refresh your knowledge and skills, and provide new information and techniques that were not available when you took your basic riding course.” This mission is very different from what you may be familiar with, so sign-up for one of these courses and ride with confidence during our 30th Annual Run For The Wall.  MSF and Ride-Like-A-Pro, are a good places to start.

On another note, I am pleased to announce the Hurricane Harvey fund drive has met and exceeded its goal. Many thanks to our ridership and a generous Oklahoma donor for your kindness towards a very important effort. Meetings will be held in Houston to assess labor needs during the third week of December. Once these assessments are concluded, dates will be set for the work to begin. Watch for more details in my January message.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Connie and I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and very Happy New Year to everyone.

Is it May yet?

Les “Easy” Williams
President
Run for the Wall Board of Directors

Posted on Leave a comment

Central Route Coordinator News – December 2017

No, it’s not May yet. However, it is December and that means Christmas is a few weeks away. As you enjoy the holidays with family, please remember the reason for the season and keep Christ in it.
The planning for the 2018 Run for The Wall event continues with our State Coordinators taking the point on arranging our hotels and camping sites. When you see a State Coordinator, I ask you to please take a moment to thank them for the hard work they do to make this Run possible.

The planned route is shaping up pretty much as it was for 2017. The one exception is that we are going back to Hurricane, WV, as the construction should be completed by May.

The Leadership teams are in place and they are anxious to get on the road as much as I am. I have added another motorcycle platoon for this year, the 30th Annual Run, anticipating that our numbers might be larger due to more exposure via social media.

Online registration for the RFTW 2018 Run is open at www.rftw.us. I encourage you to register now as it helps in our planning to make 2018 smooth and successful.

We added a Family Outreach team to the Central Route for the 2018 Run, which is modeled after the program instituted by the Southern Route. The mission of this team is to visit Gold Star families along our route to let them know we are remembering them and their fallen solider. Eamon tells me that planning and coordination is going very well with the cooperation of State Coordinators.

I can report that the Central Route Coordinator’s Welcome Video has been posted to www.rftw.us. I owe a great debt of gratitude to Chuck Brown for the editing and production.

December Safety Tip: In last month’s Safety Tip I talked about how we want to look sharp and squared away in our Group Formation as we approach overpasses lined with flag waving supporters who have waited for our arrival. I mentioned that small THROTTLE inputs are the key to formation riding. That holds true as we approach those overpasses. As tempting as it may be to look up at the crowd and wave back, do NOT lose your concentration and roll off on the throttle. Keep that right hand on the throttle and maintain your position. Rolling off power sends a ripping slowdown to the Pack behind you.

Merry Christmas,
Harlan “Whitebirch” Olson
My Wall is Your Wall

Posted on Leave a comment

Amazon and Run for the Wall

The Run for the Wall Board of Directors, and the 2018 Route Coordinators would like to wish everyone of our supporters, riders, and especially our new FNGs for 2018, a wonderful Thanksgiving and beginning to the Christmas and Holiday season.

At this time of year, for most us, marks the time that we start to buy gifts for family, friends, and loved ones.

We wanted to make you aware about our partnership with amazon.com, should any of you use amazon.com for purchases in the future.

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the value of your purchases to Run for the Wall for FREE.

  • When shopping at Amazon, make sure you use: http://smile.amazon.com
  • If you’ve never registered who you want to support via smile.amazon.com, make sure you type and search for: Run for the Wall (Hamilton, OH).
  • Logon with your same amazon username & password.

All items are the same price that they would be regardless.  Using http://smile.amazon.com is a painless way to help support Run for the Wall.

So, remember… when shopping at Amazon: Please ALWAYS use: http://smile.amazon.com.

Doing so, helps support our Mission and our Three Routes, as We Ride for Those Who Can’t.

Thank you. Have a wonderful Holiday!

Run for the Wall Board of Directors

P.S. This only works when ordering via a computer and/or a web browser.  It does NOT work if using the amazon app for iPhone or android.

Posted on Leave a comment

Midway Route Coordinator News – November 2017

Well, Thanksgiving is upon us, and I hope everyone will have a great one. I know I am Blessed, and so Thankful for Sassy, Family, RFTW family, and Friends.

It’s not quite May… BUT IT WILL BE MAY BEFORE WE KNOW IT!

The BoD, Route Coordinators, State Coodinators, and last but not least Leadership, are moving forward on putting together another great 2018, 30th RFTW Mission.

I would like to say to our Military, Patriots, and Non-Military riders and supporters… Run For The Wall welcomes you to do as much of this mission as you possibly can.  If its a few hours, a day, a week, or the whole mission, WE RIDE FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T .

30 years ago, a group of Active Military, Veterans, Patriots and supporters left California on a motorcycle Mission to Washington, DC in order to make sure we bring our MIA and KIA Home from all Wars. Today we still make the Ride. WE LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND!!!

I would like to quote James “Gunny”Gregory, one of the original RFTW founders. I may not get this exactly right… Here goes…

“You may have done the Sturgis bike rally, Daytona bike rally, etc., but if you have not done RFTW you ain’t done nothing. Riding ACROSS THIS COUNTRY on a motorcycle with a bunch of vets at 65 miles an hour. WOW! COME JOIN US!”

Be sure to read the RFTW Presidents’ Message and check out the Central Route RC’s Welcome Video. Great Job Harlan! I hope to finish the Midway Welcome Video and have it up by the end of this month.

Online Registration is up and running, Please Pre-Register. This is a great help for our BoD and registration teams.

RC’s Safety Tip… RFTW is a motorcycle run across the United States of America. Make sure your motorcycle is checked out by a certified person, all your equipment is is in working order, your tires are in good condition, and any medical condition you may have is under control.

Thank you, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Bandit
GOD COUNTRY HONOR
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
ONE MISSION | THREE ROUTES

Posted on Leave a comment

Southern Route Coordinator News – November 2017

It’s hard to believe November is here! The month we give thanks for family, friends, health… This past month has taken a toll on our Southern Route, with the sudden loss of way too many of our RFTW family. I have seen many touching tributes and dedications and truly believe that those great Americans live on through the lives they touched.  Our hearts and prayers are with all those who love them, as these brave souls move on to their final mission. We are all better people for having had the opportunity to know every one of them.

With that loss comes a greater responsibility for us all to take up and share the load of our mission and to use it to inspire the next generation of patriotic riders to join our ranks. This mission heals, it shines light into the darkest of times and has saved lives. “Riding For Those Who Can’t”, does not have to mean riding only for our 1600 MIA’s still waiting to return to American soil from Vietnam. Instead, we ride for all our fallen soldiers lost in war, those warriors who made it home, but left a piece of themselves behind, and those we have lost due to health issues and also to tragedy. And we ride for the loved ones who grieve their absence.

This family builds bridges and fills the empty spaces of the hearts of those in the shadow of loneliness.  Donna Elliot, the longtime supporter of RFTW and MIA sister, lost her battle with cancer. The mission touched her life and helped to fill the gap left by her brother Jerry Williams Elliott, Staff Sergeant, missing in Vietnam since 12/21/68. Her dying wish was to be escorted to her place of rest by as many RFTW brothers and sisters as possible, because her mission to find her brother, our mission to ride for those who can’t, meant the world to her. She got her wish because she too has blessed the lives of so many on this Run.  Thank you to all who made the trip to her service, as I know you were joined in spirit by many more.

So we give thanks. We are grateful for the service of those who have and continue to fight for our freedom, as well as the loved ones who wait for their return. We are thankful for the mission that unites our paths and helps to bind together this incredible and unique group of misfits we call family.

“Ride With Heart”

Chad (Slacker) O’Dell
Southern Route Coordinator 2018

Posted on Leave a comment

Central Route Coordinator News – November 2017

Here it is November ALREADY (I know, some of you are saying, “Is it May yet?”) and the planning for the 2018 RFTW Run event continues.

I’d like to reiterate that Run For The Wall is here for ALL, repeat, ALL veterans and welcomes non-veterans and patriots alike. RFTW began 30 years ago as a motorcycle event and continues in that tradition. As I mentioned in October, RFTW is group riding on steroids and takes a high level of concentration and commitment. If it has been a few years since you’ve ridden, find a riding group and brush up on your skills. Enroll in an advanced riding skills course, such as Ride Like a Pro or MSF. You’ll be glad you did.

The Central Route Coordinator video is complete, and can be viewed here:

November Safety Tip: When you ride with Run For the Wall, you are participating in “Group Formation Riding”. The expectation is to look squared away, just like we were taught in basic training. If you are in a side-by-side platoon, it means just that: ride side-by-side and the following rows are evenly spaced. If you want to ride in a staggered platoon, then the right track rider drops back and whatever that rider establishes as the spacing interval should be replicated through the rest of the platoon. Which of the controls on your motorcycle is the most important in maintaining your interval spacing? If you said, THROTTLE, you’d be correct. Constant small throttle inputs are the key to a respectable looking platoon. And you can ride proudly when you ride under an overpass lined with people waving and shouting.

My Wall is Your Wall,
Harlan “Whitebirch” Olson
Central Route Coordinator

Posted on Leave a comment

President’s Message November 2017

October has been a busy time as the Board of Directors and 2018 Route Coordinators continue the planning process for this extra special RFTW, The 30th Run for the Wall. Registration continues to be helpful for the planning process. I would like to urge everyone planning to go on the 2018 RFTW to register early and remind friends who are going to do the same. The website registration page is very easy to navigate and can be found at: https://rftw.us/rftw-registration

The Ontario, CA events are still in the planning stage and will soon be wrapped up. Many of our riders have requested we get the Ontario itinerary out sooner, and we are doing our best to accomplish that task. I can tell you that our Ontario coordinator, Carol Olmstead, has lined up many hotel options for all riders. No contracts have been signed yet but most look promising. We will have two “host hotels” that will be helpful for more meeting space. I will advise with more details when the contracts have been signed. The hotel lists for all routes will be published in early January. In past years we have had some problems with rude behavior towards the employees who take these reservations. Please be patient and polite with these folks – these hotels are working with our hotel coordinators to provide the riders with the lowest price they can, and bad behavior does not help our relationships that have been built up over many years.

I had a nice visit with Jim “The Mayor” Frost in Las Vegas, NV last week, and he is looking forward to leading riders to the Riverside National Cemetery once again on Tuesday, May 15, 2018.  This is a day before we officially leave Ontario, CA on Wednesday, May 16, 2018.  Riverside National Cemetery is the home of the Medal of Honor Memorial, whose walls feature the names of all medal recipients. Moreover, he will lead riders to the Fallen Soldier/Veteran’s Memorial, and the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action National Memorial, which was dedicated in 2005. Don’t miss this event—it’s an outstanding start to our mission of “We Ride for Those Who Can’t.”

I have also received inquiries about the status of the hurricane relief fund and the volunteer work crew sign-up during the month. Donations to the fund have slowed down and we are approximately $4,000 short of the $10,000 goal. Checks can be made out to RFTW and sent to Ken Ward with “Hurricane Relief Fund” on the memo line. The BoD will match any amount up to $10,000. Please send what you can—the fund will continue until Gary “Shepherd” Burd calls for the donations which will go to “Disaster Relief USA Fund” (DRUSA).

The effort to set-up volunteer work crews of interested and capable riders is still in the cards. Gary Burd informed me the assessment team will begin in Houston in early December with physical work beginning well after the beginning of the New Year. The sign-up list will be posted on the RFTW Forum after the first of the year. He said they would like folks to sign-up for 3-4 days or more, if they can, to keep the teams working. Donations can be sent to RFTW Treasurer, Ken “Catfish” Ward:

Ken “Catfish” Ward
1766 S Erie Hwy
Hamilton, OH 45011
(be sure to note on the memo line: “For Hurricane Relief”)

Lastly, I wanted to thank the RFTW & Southern Nevada PGR riders for inviting us to the “Remembrance Walk” dedication ceremony that was held on October, 17, 2017 at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, NV. The memorial was the work of Em “Pricklypare” Stempin and her SNVPGR committee. Em and many of the riders present are RFTW riders and supporters. The ceremony was wonderful and is another commitment from veterans that “We Shall Never Forget.”

Above is a picture taken by Ken “Navy Buff” Munro, so everyone can see the work that’s being done by our RFTWers and PGR across the nation. Thanks to everyone involved and those RFTW riders who rode a long way to support this mission. “We Ride for Those Who Can’t.”

Have a wonderful November and a Happy Thanksgiving!

Les “Easy” Williams
President
Run for the Wall Board of Directors

Posted on Leave a comment

Central Route Coordinator News – October 4, 2017

We are heading into the fall season, and I can report that the State Coordinators are busy with planning our May 2018 coast to coast adventure.  The only route change to report is that we are planning to go back to Hurricane, WV, as they will have the construction project completed.  We are talking about sending a breakout platoon into Nitro to show our appreciation for their hospitality last year.

The Central Route leadership team is in place with one exception, that being the Sit-Rep Writer.  I am waiting for a yea/nay commitment from last year’s writer. 

Janelle and I rode to Kerrville, TX, over the September 22nd weekend to attend the RFTW Riders reunion.  I participated in rides on Friday and Saturday, led by Sapper, through the West Texas hill country.  It was two days of amazing scenery and camaraderie.  I missed two photo opportunities: the hundreds of cowboys boots hung over fence posts; and the young guy wading in a stream fishing, wearing only a white cowboy hat and swimming trunks.  I am hoping that someone on the ride captured those moments.  The Saturday evening was a wonderful event with good food and prizes.  It’s on my calendar to attend again next year and I encourage riders from all routes to attend.  And… they passed the hat to raise $$$ for M25 in support of the recent hurricane victims.  At last report, I heard the $$$ amount was $2001 and more added later by reunion auction sales, which topped the Angel Fire Reunion at $1605.  Be sure to check out the October addition of the RFTW President’s Message for details on M25 hurricane relief.

The Central Route Coordinator’s video message has been shot and is in the editing process now.  Hopefully, that will be completed in the next couple weeks and posted on the RFTW website.

Online registration for the RFTW 2018 Run is now open for all three routes.  I encourage you to complete your registration early because it aids the Route Coordinators to plan accordingly.

The Run For The Wall event is meant for ALL veterans and is welcoming to non-veterans/patriots as well.  If you are considering RFTW for the first time, you should be aware this is NOT anything close to a Sunday afternoon HOG ride.  It is group riding on steroids.  It takes a high level of concentration and commitment.  If it were up to me, I would require a certificate of completion from an advanced riding course, such as MSF Advanced Riding or Ride Like A Pro.  If you have limited group riding experience, I would encourage you to get involved with an organization that does, such as a Harley, Honda or BMW riders group.

October Safety Tip:   It’s been my experience that most accidents involve inattention to changing speeds while riding in the pack.  One of the unfortunate characteristics of group riding is “rubber banding” which can cause a “slow down”.  This happens when riders don’t hold a constant speed using throttle control.  A rider needs to be alert at all times, to be on guard, watching for the possibility of a “slow down”.  This can best be done by observing several bikes ahead.  A tip, that I learned while teaching rider classes, is to look and observe 10 to 12 seconds ahead of your position.

My Wall is Your Wall,

Harlan “Whitebirch” Olson

Posted on Leave a comment

President’s Message October 2017

The end of September marked the end of the “All-Route Reunions” for 2017. The Texas All-Route Reunion was held the weekend of 22 September in Kerrville, TX. They had a great turnout and everyone had a good time. Like all the other reunions the planning and execution of the reunion was outstanding. Roger “Cowboy” Mead and his wife Sam put on a great weekend and the BoD would like to thank them, and all the other volunteers for the invitation and warm welcome. During the reunion the Board of Directors had a chance to meet with a large group of riders who asked good questions and offered many ideas. Thanks to all who participated. We enjoyed the session.

As many of you know we started a Hurricane Relief Fund in mid-September and have partnered with M-25 to send the donations to their Disaster Relief USA which has been on scene since both hurricanes hit the continental United States. At the Texas All-Route Reunion this effort was discussed at the banquet and resulted in a donation of $4,001. Once again our ridership showed how generous they are, they even donated the proceeds of their raffles. As of this writing, RFTW BoD treasurer, Ken “Catfish” Ward, reported the fund totals approximately $6,500. This money has been raised in less than one month!

We have not set a date to end the fund raiser and will continue to take donations until M-25 notifies us. Once again, if the riders raise $10,000 the Board will match that up to $10,000. We are now short of the goal by only $3,500. So, if you are able to donate please send your checks to:

Ken “Catfish” Ward
1766 S Erie Hwy
Hamilton, OH 45011
(be sure to note on the memo line: “For Hurricane Relief”)

The planning process for this year’s 30th Annual Run For The Wall continues smoothly with many events planned. The Route Coordinators’ monthly messages, located on the RFTW website Run Info tab, will continue to update riders on those events.

And remember:
Rider safety is more than just a phrase – it’s a call to action on everyone who participates in Run for the Wall. This is a demanding mission that requires not only your motorcycle be in top condition, but that you are in good health and ready for a 10-day mission. We highly recommend that riders participate in a motorcycle safety course to sharpen your skills, and learn something new prior to The Run in May 2018. Ride-Like-A-Pro, and MSF courses are a great place to start.

Les “Easy” Williams
President
Run for the Wall Board of Directors


*Photo Courtesy of The Book “Run for the Wall – A Journey to the Vietnam Memorial”©