It’s hard to believe we’re halfway through September already. Most importantly, for this newsletter, let me introduce myself. I’m Lennie “Big Red” Hodson, now the Southern Route Coordinator. The Board of Directors has approved this, along with some other choices of people filling the roles we need. Ken “Radar” Ley has stepped down for Personal and family reasons. I was going to be the ARC in 2025 and have now been asked to step into Ken’s role. We wish Ken well and know we will see him in the future once again.
A little about myself: I was born and raised in Southern California and have lived in Southern Arizona for the last 6 1/2 years. I served two years in the U.S. Army with a tour in Vietnam as a combat Infantryman and two years with the National Guard. My RFTW journey began in 2010 on the Southern Route going ATW, and I’ve continued every year since. I’ve worked in leadership since 2012 as a platoon TG, APL &PL. The welcome home from RFTW has meant so much to me; I am honored to give back as a Route Coordinator and lead you wonderful people through our great country.
David “Buzz” Mullen has agreed to be the Assistant Route Coordinator. From Buzz: “I am humbled and proud to be the Southern Route Assistant Route Coordinator for our 2025 Run”. Buzz’s FNG year was in 2014. He rode with Roger “Cowboy” Mead in First Platoon, where he was assigned to Tail Gunner when needed. Buzz was also asked to fill in for the Assistant Platoon Leader when the APL was tasked with an Outreach Mission. His next All The Way (ATW) year was in 2016, when his wife, Blanca (FNG), and he joined Joe “Gump” Hudson in riding portions of all three routes. That was a great learning experience of each route, which could apply to RFTW roles. Buzz then held various positions in future Runs from 2017 through 2024, including being a Platoon Leader, Tail Gunner (again), Finance Assistant/Tail Gunner, and his last posting was Road Guard in 2023 and 2024. We look forward to Buzz as the ARC for Run For The Wall 2025.
Other announcements: Don “Doc” Wood will be our Road Guard Captain. Bill “Maverick” Leonard will be our Missing Man Coordinator. More info about these guys who stepped up will be coming next month. Lee Thatcher stepped up to be our Tennessee State Coordinator. That’s another important “work all-year” job to have everything planned out for our riding through the state.
As you read this newsletter, please know that Registration is now open. As with everything in our life lately, increased fees have become necessary because our costs have increased. Early registration is now $60, and considering all that we participate in along the way, it’s still a heck of a deal. Please see the President’s latest newsletter for complete details.
Leadership team leads are in place, and their teams are being formed, if you are interested in volunteering, please submit a volunteer form. Volunteer forms can be accessed here. State Coordinators are working to secure hotel rooms, fuel stops, and working with local communities and organizations to raise funds and provide meals. The state coordinators are working hard all year long to make all these pieces fit together. We do have a couple of very important positions open and if you would like to contribute, please put a volunteer form in. We are in need of a couple of folks with medical training. RN, LVN or military medic training. We also need a 50/50 raffle rouser to help sell tickets, which is an essential part of our fundraising to support our mission. Please consider these needs. Volunteer forms are available on the RFTW website here. These positions are under “Leadership Support” category.
We will again be offering prepaid fuel. More details will be announced in the January newsletter regarding pre-paid fuel. Prepaid fuel helps the fueling process a lot. Please seriously consider this if you haven’t used it yet or are an FNG going for the first time. There’s no fumbling for cash at the non-donated stops. The fueling process moves faster so you can get to the hydration station faster; planning is more straightforward for leadership all around, and it’s simply a nice improvement. There will be a new host location for our landing spot, which will be in Springfield, Virginia, on day ten, more to come about that. Hotel information will be released on January 1, 2025.
Don’t forget about the Kerrville, TX Riders reunion on September 27-29. You can find more information on the Facebook page and the RFTW Forum. Yes, the forum is back! It’s a great place to learn about participating in the run. As an FNG, you can ask questions, get hints on how or what to pack (or not pack), find roommates to share hotel costs with if you are traveling solo, and learn about changes like the new communication system we’re transitioning to since CB radios are fading away. I want to clarify that the new communication system is for leadership roles such as the RC, ARC, Road Guards, Platoon Leaders, etc., but anyone can listen. It’s unnecessary if you’re not in a leadership position, but it’s an option if you’re interested in listening. Since it’s a new method, there’s a lot to learn about using it correctly.
I also want to give a shout-out to Ted “Boots” Kapner and Taisha (Hitch) Harmon for a great PodCast. Episode 1 has been uploaded on many forums. It’s a fun and informative podcast. I think I speak for everyone in we look forward to more to come.
“To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.” This is why we ride. Together let’s make 2025 a year to remember and give our Vietnam Veterans the WELCOME HOME they so deserved 50 years ago.
Say their names. Tell their stories. Never forget.
Lennie “Big Red” Hodson
Southern Route Coordinator – 2025
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Midway Route Photos from previous runs are no longer available. 