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Todd “Killswitch” or “Slow Ride” Miller

Name: Todd Miller

Road Name: Killswitch, Slow-Ride

FNG Year: 2013

How many times have you been All the Way? None yet, I usually follow the pack from Colorado Springs and sign on in Goodland, KS. In 2017 I rode to Eagle’s Nest to join the pack. And how many times have you been a Participant? 4 (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017)

On Which Route (Routes) did you ride? Central Route all four times.

What is your favorite Run for the Wall memory? Meeting Leroy Petry, Medal of Honor recipient, in Goodland, KS. Also earning my road name got me to meet the team at Manowar HD who recharged my battery and got me back on the road in about an hour.

Have you held any positions as a volunteer on the Run?  Staging Team 2015 and 2016.

A shot by a member of the Staging Team somewhere in West Virginia I think.
An Article in the Mountaineer, the Fort Carson newspaper about my ride in 2017. Photo from Robley Rex back parking lot.

Are you a Military Veteran, or do you have a military background or a relationship with a member of the Military? I am currently Active Army at Special Operations Command Europe in Stuttgart, Germany.

Are you a Gold Star or Blue Star family member? No.

What inspired you to participate in the RFTW the first time? I had been a member of Rolling Thunder in Ohio years earlier and had sold my bike to help buy a house. When I got to where I could buy another Harley in 2012, I thought, “I wonder if anyone rides to DC from this far away?”. Then I found RFTW.

What brought you back? The experience. There is nothing like the Run. It is long and exhausting, but every morning I woke up and wanted more. It will restore your belief in the patriotism of the people of this nation when you see all the support along the way.

Have you participated in Rolling Thunder? Yes, first in 2003.

Are you planning on participating in Rolling to Remember? I don’t stick around DC for Rolling Thunder ride anymore, so probably not. I get on the road to Ohio to see my grandson by Saturday afternoon anymore.

Give us a few words about “WHY YOU RIDE.” My father, a Viet Nam Veteran made it back seemingly unscathed. He was there in 1968 when I was born. He never discussed what he did over there, but it bothered him a lot. When I was 19 years old, my father shot himself. That was hard to deal with for a lot of years. I attribute his suicide to demons I only learned of after his death, but I will never know why he actually did it. He is the main reason I ride, but also for my grandfather (WWII) and my great grandfather (WWI). 

Anything else to Add?  You may remember me as the guy who flew from Korea to do the Run for 2 years in a row in 2015 and 2016. 2018 and 2019 were prevented by a trip to Afghanistan. I am planning to take leave from Germany for the Run in 2021. I should make a patch for that!

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