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Southern Route January Newsletter

Happy New Year everyone !! May 14th is just 128 days away, as of 1/5/25.

As you know, the hotel list, which is normally released on January 1st, will be released on January 10th. I want to thank all our State Coordinators for working through the Holiday Season to finalize the hotel contracts.  It’s a big job coordinating all the stops and hotels.  These state coordinators are some of our unsung heroes working all year long for the mission.  Also, don’t forget to listen to the podcasts from Boots and Hitch, along with the interesting guests they always have.  Lots to learn from these sessions.

Southern Route leadership teams continue to finalize our itinerary, and state coordinators are busy working with our community partners for our arrivals.  The background work never ceases to put all the details together to make sure we have a safe, successful, and productive mission.

REGISTER FOR THE RUN NOW!! Southern Route now has over 170 registered riders and participants.  Remember, early registration ends January 31. Beginning February 1, the registration cost increases from $60.00 to $75.00. Early registration helps us plan our gas stops and meals.  You can Register HERE.

A prepaid fuel option will again be available on the Southern Route. Please consider taking advantage of this program.  As a reminder, all riders are still required to fuel on their own after the end of the day’s activities so we all start the next day with a full tank. Prepaid fueling gets us through the fuel lines much quicker and provides more time at rest stops.  Pre-paid fuel eliminates the fumbling for cash when at the pump and is one of the reasons the lines move so much faster.  Details for this option are coming soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Luggage Transport Fundraiser will again be offered this year. Riders who normally have bags strapped on their bikes can lighten their load and have the luggage transported to our night stop. This will reduce the overall weight of the bike, allowing for better control and reducing the chance of items coming loose and falling off. Details for check-in/check-out and the cost will be in next month’s letter.

 

MISSING MAN FORMATION

If you are an FNG and would like to ride in the Missing Man Formation (MMF), please email MMF Bill “Maverick” Leonard at bill.leonard@rftw.us. Bill will explain the process, requirements, and expectations of riding in the MMF during the run. It is a moving experience that expresses respect and love for those who have been lost or affected while defending our great country.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Merchandise Team is still seeking sales help; no experience is required. If you are not an FNG and can contribute, please get in touch with Alan “XBox” Steiner at  merchandise@rftw.us  or submit a volunteer form. We are also still looking for qualified medical personnel (MA, CNA, RN, NP, PA, MD) to join the Southern Route Medical Team. If interested, please fill out a volunteer form. The link for the volunteer form is here.

 

 

“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.

“SAY THEIR NAMES, TELL THEIR STORIES, NEVER FORGET”

TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THEIR SACRIFICE 

Lennie “Big Red” Hodson

Southern Route Coordinator 2025