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.... by Charles E. Clarkson
During the summer of 1982 several firefighters were visiting "Randy's Cycle Shop" in Boylston, Massachusetts and the subject of motorcycle clubs came up. Soon they were all grousing about the fact that law enforcement people had a motorcycle club known as the Blue Knights but there was no club for firefighters. After this tire kicking session, owner Randy Wilson suggested to Ed Wright, a firefighter from Northboro, MA, that he stop talking about the lack of a club and form one instead.
Recognizing a good idea when he heard one, Ed Wright went home that afternoon and made some hand printed posters inviting firefighters from the area to meet and determine if there was enough interest to form a motorcycle club. On August 17th, 1982, Fire Chief Jack Pierce allowed a small group of motorcycle enthusiasts to meet in Northboro Fire Headquarters to lay the ground work for the formation of a motorcycle club.
On October 19th, 1982, firefighters Colin Mackey, Bob Bourassa, Ed Wright, Roger Wentzell, Dave Hamilton, Bob Goulet, David Hunt, Jon Tripp, Don Parker, Norm Beausleil and Chief Pierce met again. There was interest in promoting the positive image of motorcycling while enjoying the camaraderie of other firefighters. It was decided then that this group would be known as the Red Knights Motorcycle Club.
News of this new club spread like a grass fire. In July of 1983, a chapter was formed in Connecticut. In October of that year a second Massachusetts chapter was formed. Soon applications came in from such distant places as Nevada and Louisiana.
In August of 1983 the founding members realized the organization was rapidly growing beyond their original expectations. To properly handle this growth they elected a committee to serve as a National Board of Directors. With applications from Ontario and Saskatchewan , Canada, the club became the Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club.
In 1984 the first club convention was held in Boylston MA. Each year since that time a convention has been held for all Red Knights. Convention sites have been Boylston, Massachusetts (1984, 1985, 1987), Cromwell, Connecticut (1986), Toronto, Ontario (1988), Mentor, Ohio (1989), Waterville Valley, New Hampshire (1990), Leamington, Ontario (1991), Worcester, Massachusetts (1992), Angola, Indiana (1993), Belleville, Ontario (1994), Dublin, Ohio (1995), and Leamington, Ontario (1996). The 15th Anniversary Convention was held in Marlborough, Massachussets on the third weekend in August 1997. The 1998 convention was held in New York City and the 1999 convention was held at Daytona Beach, Florida durning Biketoberfest.
Indianapolis Indiana was the site for the 2000 convention which was held at the Speedway Hotel right on the Indianapolis 500 Speedway. In 2001 the convention was in Winnipeg Canada. In 2002 the convention was held in Providence Rhode Island. The 2003, 20th anniversary convention was held in Laval/Montreal ,Canada 2004 convention will be held in Edmonton Alberta Ca in August. .
As a result of the seed that was planted at Randy's in 1982, there are now more than 100 Red Knights chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada and there are several applications for charters pending. Contact us for information on Red Knights Motorcycle Club chapter charter and members-at-large information.