History

History of the First Red Knights
By Charlie Clarkson, Massachusetts State Rep

During the summer of 1982 several firefighters were visiting "Randy's Cycle Shop" in Boylston, Massachusetts, and the subject of motorcycle clubs came up. Some interesting discussions took place regarding the fact that law enforcement personnel have a motorcycle club known as the "Blue Knights" and a similar club for firefighters is non=existent. After this tire kicking session, owner Randy Wilson suggested to Ed Wright, a firefighter from Northboro, Massachusetts, 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 17, 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 19, 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 know as the Red Knights Motorcycle Club.

News of this 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 convention was held in Boylston, MA. Past conventions have been held in Daytona Beach, Florida (1999); Indianapolis, Indiana (2000); Winnipeg, Manitoba (2001); Warwick, Rhode Island (2002); Laval, Quebec (2003), Edmunton, Alberta (2004), Toronto, Ontario (2005). For 2006 (23rd annual), the convention will be in New York City. Then the convention moves to 2007 - Massachusetts (25th Anniversary celebration of the RKMC), 2008 - Ohio, and 2009 - Panama City Beach, Florida.

As a result of the seed that was planted at Randy's in 1982, there are now more than 225 Red Knights chapters and 6,000 members throughout the world, with chapters in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, Japan, and Austria and M.A.L.s around the globe.