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RFTW 2013 |
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Giddy Up Go 
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Joined: Jul-31-2012 Location: Victoria, Tx Status: Offline Points: 32 |
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 Topic: RFTW 2013Posted: Jul-31-2012 at 8:17am |
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Am very new to this and am planning on making the RUN in 2013. Has the official date been set yet. Many thanks to the great supporters on this site.
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Curly
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Joined: Oct-15-2009 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 153 |
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Posted: Jul-31-2012 at 9:45am |
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Hello and welcome home dkelley986.
The Run will leave Rancho Cucamago, CA on the morning of May 15th, 2013.
Are you planning on doing the Central or the Southern Route and will you be doing all the way or will you be joining us somewhere on the way to DC?
I do the Cental Route and have worked on the staging crew for the last three years. This coming will be my 5th RFTW. 4th all the way.
Hope to see you somewhere on the run.
Curly
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USN 1965 - 1969
USS Mount McKinley AGC-7 Suck it up !!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Hot Rod Grandpa
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Joined: Jan-17-2012 Location: San Dimas, CA Status: Offline Points: 797 |
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Posted: Jul-31-2012 at 10:40am |
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Hi, Doug, welcome home and welcome to the family. Curly is right on about the dates. You can check out the itineraries on the website and just adjust the dates for next year to start planning. I did the Southern Route ATW as an FNG this year and loved it. Whether you go all the way or part way, SR or CR, you are in for the ride of your life. Welcome, my brother.
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Remember, the price of freedom is written on the Wall.
U.S. Navy '68-'74 USS Gridley DLG-21 FNG ATW SR 2012 Straggler #26 |
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Ride
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Joined: May-25-2011 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 112 |
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Posted: Jul-31-2012 at 10:45am |
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Welcome dkelley968, it does not matter what route you chose. You will come away moved by the experence.
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Colorado PGR
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Pelican
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Joined: May-17-2012 Location: Pahrump,Nevada Status: Offline Points: 654 |
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Posted: Jul-31-2012 at 10:59am |
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Hi Doug,
Welcome Home.
Thanks for asking that question, I am in the same boat as you.
I have been reading everything I can on the website and forum, for over a year now. I am scheduled to take a refresher advanced course this fall, and am coming up with dumb questions,(I think they are dumb anyway) all the time. I plan on going ATW, will be an FNG and am leaning toward the SR for being a "tenderfoot"! I joined the forum this last May and am amazed at the truely awesome people I have discovered here.
I will look forward to meeting you.
Tom
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I never met a man I didn't like... will rodgers
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Generals Driver
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Joined: Oct-06-2009 Location: State of Mind Status: Offline Points: 1528 |
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Posted: Jul-31-2012 at 11:52am |
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Welcome home to all and Welcome to the RFTW Family. There are no dumb questions just dumb answers
 All joking asside. Ask any question that is on your mind or of concern to you. Someone on here will have the answer or we will get it for you. Between now and May you can do a lot of searching on the forum and some things have been covered. But we dont mind going over it again. Gives us all something to do until May.
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The Few-The Proud-The Marines
RFTW FNG 2008 RFTW Advance Team 2009-2010 RFTW Just another rider 2011 RFTW Ambassador 2012 Kansas Patriot Guard |
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Giddy Up Go
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Joined: Jul-31-2012 Location: Victoria, Tx Status: Offline Points: 32 |
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Posted: Jul-31-2012 at 11:52am |
 Am planning on going the whole way. I am retired Military and am retiring from 2nd Career in Nov. (Paramedic/Firefighter). I will be FNG also and have hot really decided on which route going to take.. Am going to try camping most of the days but will see how old bones make it. Will ride from Victoria Texas to Rancho and than make RFTW and return to Victoria. Have no time schedule wo will take time and see sights.
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Wish
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Joined: Oct-03-2009 Location: Upland, CA Status: Offline Points: 117 |
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Posted: Jul-31-2012 at 1:53pm |
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'Welcome Home' DKelley968 and Pelican,
couldn't ask for a better year to join us- 2013 will be our 25th year bringing awareness of the POW/MIA's still not accounted for as well as providing healing for all Veterans. It is a long haul right now until RFTW 2013 gets underway, kinda reminds me of waiting for Christmas to come when I was a kid. However, Remember the Mission, Remember that we Ride for those who cannot, the excitement MUST abate and the resolve MUST take over as we launch our Mission from Rancho in May, 2013. Be the best rider you can be, be the best advocate for POW/MIA issues that you can be, be the best friend of every Vet and spread the word. There are patriotic events all over the country, there are many credible fundraisers to aid the military and their families. However, there are none more credible, more patriotic and more useful to our Veteran community than Run For The Wall. Look around you and I bet you can see someone else who would benefit from joining in our Mission. Begin the conversation and tell them "Welcome Home" |
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BOARD of DIRECTORS- RFTW 2012-2015
ATW-SR- 07, 09,10,11,12,13 participant- CR-08 In-Country Vietnam- Dec. '68- Aug. '70 USMC |
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Pelican
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Joined: May-17-2012 Location: Pahrump,Nevada Status: Offline Points: 654 |
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Posted: Jul-31-2012 at 2:19pm |
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Thanks WISH, words to live by.
HRG, here is a question for ya; How long have you been the Generals driver on the Run? Has the General always riden in the carrier, on top of the trailer, behind you? (or am I mixing you up with someone else I saw in the pictures/video?)
Here's one for anyone: If I wish/need to tap out of formation, either in the inside or outside position, how do I accomplish that without creating a mess?
Thank You, to ALL for all you have done, are doing and will do. I respect and admire you.
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I never met a man I didn't like... will rodgers
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skeater
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Joined: Apr-29-2011 Location: Crestline, Ca. Status: Offline Points: 385 |
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Posted: Jul-31-2012 at 3:52pm |
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Doug,
Welcome home, thanks for your service, both military and paramedic/firefighter and you are in for a WONDERFUL experience, bar none! Been doing this 16 years & never gets old; just a bigger family I get to love. I still camp a lot (at 67), and you will find quite a few places at each stop, though I never camped at that place in D.C. Plus I always found the visiting at the camp areas with others quite healing too. Can't wait until May 2013 Skeater USMC 64-68 |
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RFTW ATW 1997-2006,2008,2010 RFTW PART:2007,2009,2011,2012
What you are is God's gift to you; What you become is your gift to God Skeater USMC 64-68 (VMFA-542 & 323) SEMPER FI |
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n2thex
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Joined: Sep-29-2009 Location: Wichita, KS. Status: Offline Points: 123 |
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Posted: Jul-31-2012 at 5:38pm |
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Welcome home. The camping is excellent on the Central Route. The coordinators always set up a great place for us to stay. The group that camps gets pretty tight as they visit every night after the run. Even if I could afford it I dont think I would hotel it on the run. Too many great memories at the campgrounds.
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The VTX that is!!
First Lady Chaplains ugly half. U.S. Army "Air Cav" God Bless America!! |
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deebabeNtx
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Joined: Jun-01-2012 Location: Dallas, Tx Status: Offline Points: 34 |
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Posted: Jul-31-2012 at 6:14pm |
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very well said, Wish!!!
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As always....RIDE SAFE!!!,
deebabeNtx PROUD DAUGHTER OF A UNITED STATES ARMY VIETNAM VETERAN. PROUD MOTHER-IN-LAW OF AN ACTIVE DUTY UNITED STATES MARINE |
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Justpics
Groupie 
Joined: Jul-30-2012 Location: Pennsboro, WV Status: Offline Points: 61 |
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Posted: Jul-31-2012 at 7:58pm |
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I picked up the ride at Hurricane,WV last year as a FNG, thinking hard about ATW this next year
Is one Route better that another, and why? I do plan on camping to save expenses. I also am a retired RN, ER and ICU, (combat medic US Army68-69) so would like to help on the medical team. Garry ("Doc") |
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Tigger
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Joined: Jun-02-2010 Location: Somewhere, USA Status: Offline Points: 437 |
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Posted: Jul-31-2012 at 8:22pm |
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Doc - okay, before the route firestorm starts, I just want to say NEITHER route is better than the other, no matter what others say or joke about. Everyone has their opinions, and it really will come down to your preferences based on what you hear or research. Many riders prefer to give both routes a try, if they are able to go more than one year.
We are ALL brothers and sisters...two routes to carry out ONE MISSION - the mission is what's important, not the route you take to complete it. I love all my RFTW family.
Edited by Tigger - Jul-31-2012 at 8:22pm |
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USN - April 2001 - October 2012
USNR - May 2013 - present Honored to support ALL of our veterans and their families. THANK YOU for your service and WELCOME HOME! T-I-double G-ERRRRRRRRRRRRR! |
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Justpics
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Joined: Jul-30-2012 Location: Pennsboro, WV Status: Offline Points: 61 |
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Posted: Jul-31-2012 at 8:33pm |
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Tigger,
thanks guess I need to do some research, both start and end at the same places. routes the same each year? |
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Hot Rod Grandpa
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Joined: Jan-17-2012 Location: San Dimas, CA Status: Offline Points: 797 |
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Posted: Jul-31-2012 at 8:47pm |
Sorry, Pelican, I am not the General's Driver. I think Driver told me the General has been riding RFTW for 5 or 6 years, but I'm sure he will reply with the real story.
As for tapping out, there is a signal which involves, surprisingly enough, tapping the top of your helmet and signaling the direction you want to go. Then there are other signals for letting the folks in the chase crew know if you need help or are all right. You will get instructions in the use of hand signals for a multitude of purposes several times prior to and during the Run. It's just part of the many, many things leadership does to promote safety on the Run.
HRG
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Remember, the price of freedom is written on the Wall.
U.S. Navy '68-'74 USS Gridley DLG-21 FNG ATW SR 2012 Straggler #26 |
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LaiKhe67tc
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Joined: Oct-15-2009 Location: San Diego CA Status: Offline Points: 2049 |
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Posted: Jul-31-2012 at 9:08pm |
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The General, as pictured in the avatar, always rides... in Mike's pouch! Mike is the driver, the General just barks out orders, though he's been pretty quiet when I have been around him. He is a Southern Route icon.
There is a camping plan for both routes, and it is loose enough that you can find your own way if you wish. On Southern Route we look for ways to avoid actually setting tents up, but we have them for the nights where we can't talk our way under a roof. Just bring your tent and watch the magic... We do plan for showers each night when we stop. Someone noted on the last run that close to 40% of the riders were "FNG's," meaning they are making their first ride with Run For The Wall. The term is from the Vietnam era where replacement troops coming in to the units on the ground were called "F***ing New Guys." It is presently explained, since children and civilians are welcome and present, as "Fine New Guys or Gals..." It was a term of some derision back during the war, with the idea that new guys would surely make mistakes and get people killed. But it didn't work out that way where I was. The new guys brought fresh energy and skill and great companionship. So it is with Run For The Wall, where we all began as FNG's. Now the experienced riders thoroughly enjoy mentoring and watching the eye-popping excitement new people always experience. Like Wish says- bring friends! In short- we who have been on this ride are both honored and excited that you are coming! A warm, warm welcome!!
Edited by LaiKhe67tc - Jul-31-2012 at 9:16pm |
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Freedom. It seems to frighten a lot of people, but I am sold on it.
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Tigger
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Joined: Jun-02-2010 Location: Somewhere, USA Status: Offline Points: 437 |
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Posted: Aug-01-2012 at 5:30am |
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Doc - yep, we all start in Rancho Cucamonga and come back together in DC 10 days later!
 I have only done CR ATW and may be able to help answer any questions you have about that (or guide you to the right people). I have a bunch of AMAZING SR friends who can help you with any questions on that route. Pretty much any questions you have, if you post them in the forum (maybe under a new topic) will be answered by a plethora of people. Also, if you look at the drop down menus for each route on the main page, there is a contacts page for each. I guarantee anyone listed on there (phone numbers and e-mails) would be more than happy to talk to you about RFTW and the routes. Also, you can check out the Board of Director's page (BOD is the acronym used in the forum), as it has their contact info, too. All outstanding people! Edited by Tigger - Aug-01-2012 at 5:36am |
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USN - April 2001 - October 2012
USNR - May 2013 - present Honored to support ALL of our veterans and their families. THANK YOU for your service and WELCOME HOME! T-I-double G-ERRRRRRRRRRRRR! |
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skeater
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Joined: Apr-29-2011 Location: Crestline, Ca. Status: Offline Points: 385 |
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Posted: Aug-01-2012 at 10:42am |
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I agree with the others; I've been on both Runs, and BOTH are remarkable. It's really about the people you meet, not the "where" you are. I'd love it no matter what direction I took, as long as my brothers & sisters are with me.
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RFTW ATW 1997-2006,2008,2010 RFTW PART:2007,2009,2011,2012
What you are is God's gift to you; What you become is your gift to God Skeater USMC 64-68 (VMFA-542 & 323) SEMPER FI |
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Generals Driver
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Posted: Aug-01-2012 at 11:30am |
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General was an FNG in 2008. He has ridden 2 ATW's and 3 starting from Weatherford or GP, Texas. He has about 132,000 miles under his harness now.
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The Few-The Proud-The Marines
RFTW FNG 2008 RFTW Advance Team 2009-2010 RFTW Just another rider 2011 RFTW Ambassador 2012 Kansas Patriot Guard |
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Pelican wrote: