2027 Southern Route Coordinator Newsletter October
An early Happy Halloween to everyone! I hope you have lots of fun and kids Trick-or-Treating!
The Texas Riders Reunion took place September 24-26 and was another great success! Thank you to Phillip “Juice” Tutton and his beautiful wife, Belinda “Pickles,” for all the work that goes into making this event the success it is every year. The weather was perfect, and the roads were clear, which meant some great riding in the Texas Hill Country and, of course, PIE. Getting together with our Run family is the best part of the weekend. There are hugs, smiles, laughter, and yes, even a few tears, but they all represent the fantastic bond we share with each other.
The highlight of the weekend is always the dinner and auction on Saturday night. Without going into too much detail, on the advice of counsel, there are a few things that need to be shared. It seems there’s a backstory involving a certain former Mayor from Virginia, a rental car agency, a parking garage, and a moving barricade. No former Mayors were injured, but the story is great! I’ll leave the details to him and ask about it in Wyethville next May. There also seems to be a highly publicized photo array involving a certain ARC and a shopping cart…who makes these decisions? Then there was the auction highlighting the amazing work of Lynnette Handleson, Janice Wentworth, Jerry Lanier, and Billie Dunlap…yes, Bugs, you brought tears to the eyes of “Old School” in a great way. There are some great photos on the TX Riders Reunion Facebook page, but they don’t capture the laughter and love from the weekend.
Run For The Wall XXXVII – Southern Route 2027 Update
Planning for Run For The Wall XXXVII – 2027 is officially underway, and our leadership team is excited to begin preparations for another incredible year of honoring our veterans, supporting our riders, and strengthening our RFTW family bonds.
Our primary focus this year is Safety First as we deliver an exceptional experience for our First-Time Riders (FNGs). We’re committed to ensuring every rider feels welcome, supported, and prepared for the journey from Ontario, California, to Washington, D.C. We’ve been working like busy bees! Through meetings, planning sessions, and check-ins with our team, we’re keeping everyone on the same page and moving in the same direction.
We’ve also begun reaching out to our State Coordinators as they start compiling hotel lists, stops, and other key details along the way. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes to make the journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible for everyone. RFTW 2027 is off to a great start with early registration. If you haven’t registered yet, please do so as soon as possible. Early registration helps us plan our stops and hotel accommodations. You can register HERE
There’s plenty more to come, and we’re excited to keep the momentum going! So much is already happening… is it May yet?
Your Southern Route Fundraiser shirt is ready and in stock. Purchase now!!! $10 from each shirt sold will go to the Southern Route Fund. Thank you all for your support.
Then click on fundraising!!
“All the cool kids will be wearing them”
Mike “Bonehead” Kyzer
Hello, all 2027 Run For The Wall Southern Route riders! My name is Mike “Bonehead” Kyzer, and I, along with the Asst. Missing Man Coordinator Sam “Snake” Habhab and our Missing Man Chaplains, Vernie “Turnip” and Tanya “Stormy” Batten, am honored to coordinate the 2027 RFTW XXXVII Southern Route Missing Man Formation. We invite you to join us as a participant in a leg of the run this year as part of the Missing Man Formation, which rides at the front of each leg of our cross-country procession to help us fulfill our mission to “Ride For Those Who Can’t.”
Riding in honor of a deceased Military friend, family member, comrade in arms, or someone special from your community who served this Nation. This honor is reserved primarily for RFTW Southern Route FNGs (first-year RFTW participants), Gold Star (immediate family of those who lost their lives in the line of duty) and still-MIA family members, and Active-Duty Military personnel who are riding with us. All other riders are welcome to request to ride and will be considered after we accommodate the previous riders.
Let’s ride together to honor and remember their sacrifice. Your presence makes a difference—so ride with us and help keep their legacy alive!
If you would like to participate, AFTER YOU REGISTER FOR THE 2027 RFTW SOUTHERN ROUTE, please EMAIL srmmc@rftw.us. We will send you a brief questionnaire to get the process started.
Thank you.
Nicky “Heels” Leonard
Greetings from the Southern Route Finance Team. Did you know there are more than 21 million veterans and active-duty service men and women in the United States, with half of them having visible or invisible wounds of war – a fact too great to ignore. Over the past few years, RFTW’s Southern Route and family have grown. However, the need for support has grown as well. With 2027 around the corner, the finance team is reaching out to all our riders, past and present, for help. RFTW SR has amazing sponsors and supporters across the country, but we need more… WE NEED YOU!!!
We currently have several active options for riders to participate in, such as Poker Runs, Breakfast Runs, and local chapter support, but the best option could be YOUR OWN COMPANY!!! We are reaching out to riders to check with your place of employment. Many companies offer VA support, matching gift programs, and sometimes match or even double a competitive donation for causes like ours. We are a fully vetted 501(c)(3) and can easily work with your employer on tax donation forms.
Your local group, school, or employer’s support could be instrumental in helping us reach our target over the next few months. Worried you don’t know how to ask your employer about a donation? No worries… we can help you with that! Simply check with your HR department, and we can handle the rest. Worried you won’t raise enough? Even $5 is a welcome donation!
Once again, our organization is a fully vetted, tax-deductible 501(c)(3) organization and can easily work with your employer. Please know that the finance team is available to help or answer any questions you may have about donation letters or forms. Why? BECAUSE IT TAKES A VILLAGE!
Then click on fundraising!!
Southern Route Camping
Our best-kept secret is camping on the southern route. All overnight stops are donated. We have several with nice buildings to sleep in. A/C is available, and one even furnishes cots. Tents are needed for only a couple of days on the run. Most of our overnights are at our dinner locations, so there is no traveling to the camp sites.
One of my favorite things is that we have become a really close group over the years. Hope to see more new campers this year. We have a nice place to camp in Wytheville, which is something to look forward to. Hope to see you in the run!!
If ya need any additional info contact me at Buffed44@gmail.com
Santa Ed
Leave no one behind does not end on the battlefield!
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please know you can contact the VA Veteran’s Crisis Line by dialing 988, then pressing 1, or by texting 838255 to speak or chat with a qualified responder.
Say Their Names, Tell Their Stories, Never forget! Live a Life worthy of their Sacrifice!
RFTW Southern Route Coordinator 2027
Kevin “Short” Short
