The Routes

The Run operates over two routes - the Southern and the Central. (Click on photo to enlarge)

Both routes are different in their scenery, challenges, weather, traffic and stops. The stops are what make the Run what it is. Visits to Veteran's Administration hospitals, VFW's, American Legion's, and just having lunch on the town square at the town park provide a chance to visit with and thank fellow veteran's for their service. More on that later.

Here's a breakout of the two routes. More information can be found at http://www.rftw.org/.

RFTW Southern Route
Wednesday, MAY 18, 2011
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA to TOLLESON, AZ

Thursday, MAY 19, 2011
TOLLESON, AZ to LAS CRUCES, NM

Friday, MAY 20, 2011
LAS CRUCES, NM to ODESSA, TX

Saturday, MAY 21, 2011
ODESSA, TX to GRAND PRAIRIE, TX

Sunday, MAY 22, 2011
GRAND PRAIRIE, TX to MONROE, LA

Monday, MAY 23, 2011
MONROE, LA to MERIDIAN, MS

Tuesday, MAY 24, 2011
MERIDIAN, MS to CHATTANOOGA, TN

Wednesday, MAY 25, 2011
CHATTANOOGA, TN to WYTHEVILLE, VA

Thursday, MAY 26, 2011
WYTHEVILLE, VA to SALEM, VA

Friday, MAY 27, 2011
SALEM, VA to ARLINGTON, VA

RFTW Central Route
Wednesday, MAY 18, 2011
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA to WILLIAMS, AZ

Thursday, MAY 19, 2011
WILLIAMS, AZ to GALLUP, NM

Friday, MAY 20, 2011
GALLUP, NM to ANGEL FIRE, NM

Saturday, MAY 21, 2011
ANGEL FIRE, NM to GOODLAND, KS

Sunday, MAY 22, 2011
GOODLAND, KS to JUNCTION CITY, KS

Monday, MAY 23, 2011
JUNCTION CITY, KS to WENTZVILLE, MO

Tuesday, MAY 24, 2011
WENTZVILLE, MO to CORYDON, IN

Wednesday, MAY 25, 2011
CORYDON, IN to HURRICANE, WV

Thursday, MAY 26, 2011
HURRICANE, WV to LEWISBURG, WV

Friday, MAY 27, 2011
LEWISBURG, WV to ARLINGTON, VA

Well, It’s Time to Make Up Our Minds

[This is reposted from 1/6/11]

The Run For the Wall happens the last two weeks of May. This year they start in Ranch Cucamonga, CA on May 18, run east over two routes, and end up in the Washington, DC suburbs on May 27. Just in time for Rolling Thunder which occurs on Memorial Day Sunday.

Last year, my brother Jeff and I rode to Goodland, Kansas and joined the Run. We left on a Thursday, got almost to Goodland on Saturday night, went on into Goodland on Sunday morning, completed registration and joined the Run heading east.

This year we are going to go again. We just don’t know where we’ll start from or which route to take.

Two years ago, Jeff rode to California and made the Run – all the way. He rode the Central Route, made some great friends and formed the foundation of our Run last year. This route is our preference but we’re not sure where to start from. We want to start in California but in reality we’ll join at an interim point – probably Goodland if we choose the Central Route.

My son Josh, who lives in southern Alabama, wants to go with us this year. If we meet up with Josh we’ll take the Southern Route but we’re not sure where to start. We could pick up Josh and head west to one of the Texas stops or probably, Monroe, Louisiana. Or Jeff and I could make a speed run to Texas, join the Run and pick up Josh in Monroe or Meridian, Mississippi.

Too many choices this early in the game – but the good news is we’re going. We just don’t know which route we’ll take and where we’ll join the Run.

Some Background on "The Run"

Why we do what we do...

Run For The Wall:
Recognizes the sacrifices and contributions made by all veterans who have served our nation. Veterans of recent conflicts and those currently on active duty are especially welcome to join us as we ride for those who cannot.

Mission Statement: 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.

Philosophy: We strive to maintain a safe, supportive and private atmosphere in which all participants can reflect and heal on their journey to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. in the hope that they can return home to a new beginning.

Additional information can be found at http://www.rftw.org/

Welcome home!