I wanted to provide details about how the procession of motorcycles from RFTW into Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) and the presentation of the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers will come together.
As you know, only 75 motorcycles from RFTW will be able to proceed into ANC. While we had hoped for many more, we are honored to have what we have. It is our intent that there be a passenger on each bike making 150 riders/passengers total.
The Route Coordinators are working to select those riders/passengers for each of their respective routes.
Please understand that we are still working with ANC and the Pentagon to iron out the last final details, and details may still change. I had wanted to have more clarity by now, but stay tuned and we will get it sorted for you; there are lots of people involved in making this happen.
RFTW riders who are not participating in the procession into ANC are invited to attend the laying of the wreath. You would need to park at the main gate parking garage, go through security and then take either a shuttle to the TUS or walk. It costs $3.00 to park, the shuttle is free. As far as I know, you do not need a Real ID if you are hoofing it into the Cemetery, but will let you know if we find out otherwise. The walk to the Tomb is short of a mile. RFTW is permitted 300 attendees at the wreath laying. I do not know if there is an issue if we have more. Keep in mind that 150 will be arriving in the procession.
STAGING:
Tentatively, riders will be staging in the South Parking lot of the Pentagon before the procession. It is expected that 150 riders/passengers will be invited to the procession, but at the Pentagon, 75 bikes will be carrying those 150 people. This means that up to 75 riders will leave their bikes at the Pentagon and jump on the back of other bikes who will be riding into ANC.
Please be at the Pentagon South Parking Lot NLT 11:30 am on Saturday.
To Get to South Parking From the Wall:
Take the Memorial Bridge (the bridge behind the Lincoln Memorial) that leads you back to Virginia. On the bridge, follow the signs to US 50 West. As you are following those signs you will see a sign for a left exit “To 395 Reagan National Airport” - that will put you on Washington Blvd. Stay on the main lanes of Washington Blvd. As you are along side the Pentagon, take the exit on your right to “27 Wash Blvd, Columbia Pike, Air Force Memorial”. At the bottom of the ramp, take a left onto Columbia Pike East which ends at the South Parking Lot.
From Springfield, Take I-395 N to Exit 8B, Washington Blvd, and the first ramp after you pass under 395 is for the south Parking lot.
We will conduct a protocol briefing at the Pentagon before we leave for ANC. As always, RFTW will enter as a pack, and will exit as a pack.
ANC is hallowed ground where people brapping their throttles is unacceptable and ignorant of the families who are visiting their fallen heroes on a quiet Saturday morning. If you can’t help but do that during those few short miles, then don’t be the driver. We will not be invited back next year. RFTW has worked very hard to get this privilege. Honor it.
The Central Route road guards will be escorting us the very short distance (1 mile) over to the South Service complex gate of ANC. We will also have a road guard stay with the bikes that remain at the Pentagon parking area.
ENTRY INTO ANC:
This week, ANC is changing their requirements for vehicles entering the Cemetery. They are now requiring all drivers to have a Real ID drivers license, but I am told that we will be exempted from that requirement.
We are being asked to be at the gate at ANC at precisely 12:30.
At the ANC gate, the Road Guards will leave the procession behind and ANC will escort us through the cemetery up to the Tomb of the Unknown soldier (TUS). Riders will park along Roosevelt Drive. There is a parking area along Roosevelt directly adjacent to the TUS. I do not know if they intend for us to use that lot or not. Follow the directions of the people escorting you.
PRESENTATION of THE WREATH
Our presentation is at 1:15. 4 riders have already been identified as those who will present the wreath. Those who are presenting the wreath must not wear jeans and have been provided with collared shirts - a must for presenting the wreath. Those 4 riders MUST be at the Tomb Guard Quarters at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by 12:45. We would expect those 4 riders to be at the front of the motorcycle procession so that they can make it up to the Tomb Guard from ANC. If those 4 riders are not at the Tomb Guard Quarters by 12:45 it is possible RFTW will lose its slot for presenting the wreath.
Also, please note that there are 2 wreaths presented at the TUS during our time slot; don’t be offended if RFTW is second.
The TUS is a silent and sacred memorial. All of us must remain silent during the ceremony. PLEASE silence your cell phones.
AFTER THE PRESENTATION OF THE WREATH
Please quietly return to your motorcycles, where you will be escorted back out of the cemetery by staff. Again, when you are starting your bikes and proceeding out please keep quiet.
When you pass the gate exiting the cemetery, take a left turn onto Columbia Pike and proceed right back into the Pentagon South Parking lot for people to retrieve their bikes.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Ed Wehner
DC Coordinator