Serving the Vermont Champlain Valley Area for 45 Years
Tuesday December 22, 2009 Edition
Main Sections
Front Page SportsValley VitalsIt's in the StarsStarwiseArchivesLinksAbout The VoiceContact Us







Red Knights Share A Brotherhood And A Bond With Motorcycles And Community Work

Pictured here are some of the forty members of Vermont Chapter # 4 of the Red Knights, sharing a love of motorcycles, community and a bond of being firefighters.
photo provided
Pictured here are some of the forty members of Vermont Chapter # 4 of the Red Knights, sharing a love of motorcycles, community and a bond of being firefighters.

Tuesday December 22, 2009

By Cookie Steponaitis

   The Red Knights Motorcycle Club has clubs in ten countries including the United States, Canada, Okinawa, New Zealand, Austria, Iceland, Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, Ireland, and Australia and is growing with five chapters in Vermont. It was founded in 1982 with a, “…mission statement to promote motorcycle safety; to project a positive image of motorcycling, to enjoy the fraternity of Fire Fighters, and to engage in social, charitable and educational activities directed at increasing the understanding of, enjoyment of, competency, sportsmanship and participation in the sport of Motorcycling.” The Red Knights meet together to ride motorcycles, share a passion for community work and celebrate the fellowship shared by firefighters.

    Red Knights Vermont Chapter # 4 met recently for their annual monthly meeting and potluck dinner to reflect on the year past and to plan new rides and projects for 2010. Chapter president Mike Coyle opened the meeting with a hearty welcome and the members assembled represented the towns of Monkton, Bristol, Lincoln, Orwell, Addison, Vergennes, Ferrisburgh, No. Ferrisburgh, Salisbury, Bridport and Weybridge. The Red Knights have forty members who rode some 8,175 miles this year and participated in charity events such as Ray’s Ride, Vermont Thunder Ride, Americade and group trips including a Bridge to Bridge ride among others. The bike season starts in mid- April and runs late into October and the Knights take full advantage of every opportunity to be out on the road and help others as well.

    “Our fundraisers and raffles have helped a local family who lost their home to a fire, Meals on Wheels and money to other charities,” commented Mike Coyle. One plan for 2010 was outlined by road captain Tony Boulanger and is called Grand Tour. The International Red Knights sponsors this ride and encourages all chapters to find and ride to fire stations beginning with the letters in the word Grand Tour. At each stop or fire station, the group takes a photo and when the tour is completed they submit the photos and trip mileage to the International Red Knights for a badge for each member. As Tony spoke about the project it was easy to see the eagerness on the part of all members. Mike also remarked that the national convention for the Red Knights is to be held in Vermont in 2013.

    Amidst the joking, obvious camaraderie and talk of motorcycles, any visitor could see the genuine friendship and devotion to causes that help others. One of the purposes that night was to draw winners for a raffle that in the past five weeks raised $ 622.00 for the group’s emergency funds that meets the needs of the community when requests for assistance come in. While the official winners were: First place winner of a 20 lb. Misty Knolls Farm Turkey: Steve Williams, Second Place Winner of a Dakin Ham: Cathy Sullivan, Third Place Winner of a $ 50.00 Wow Toyz certificate: Ella Mae Ash, and Fourth and Fifth Place winners of Harley Davidson models Jarret Kimball and Steve Williams; the real winners are the people who come in contact with this tightly knit group of community firefighters and their families. Bound together by a love of motorcycles and a commitment to helping, they blend two passions into one unique and growing club.

    “We get to see other members of departments,” remarked one Red Knight. “We ride, and we share our knowledge of community and bikes. It is part of what we are about.” President Mike Coyle concluded the meeting by thanking all those present for the great year and challenging everyone for the next season take the odometer reading the first day of motorcycle season and again on the last to see who logged the most miles. One thing is for certain, with the rides schedule including Vermont Thunder in May, Americade in June, Laconia in June, VT HOG Rally in July, Red Knights Convention in August, Jeff Wyand Miracle Ride in August and the Killington Classic in September, the group will be riding and active in raising awareness and funds for charitable causes big and small. This ride includes Ray’s Ride, which is in memory of an individual the Red Knights were all very fond of.

    Anyone interested in the Red Knights Chapter is encouraged to contact Chapter president Mike Coyle at (802)877-3564, or see one of the other members listed below. The next time you see the insignia or hear the words Red Knights you will know what they stand for. They are volunteers who risk their lives to protect you in case of fire or accidents and share a love of motorcycles and community that extends far beyond the summer season. The Red Knights would like to thank Dakin Farm, Misty Knolls Tuckey Farm, and WOWZ Toyz of Vergennes for their donations, or the raffle would not have been possible. Pictured at the December Meeting are members Larry Blacklock, Tony Boulanger, Tracy Clark, Mike and Ronda Coyle, Dean Degray, Dave Grippin, Dave and Mary Harrison, Karen Holbrook, Kathy Kimball, Kenny Lemner, Bob Peisch, Jarrett Kimball, Mike and Jody Pierce, Rayne Plante, George Roy, Daniel Sachar, Edmund Sullivan, Steve and Patricia Torrey, Dick Unger.


 Printer Friendly  Top
Advertisements


Search our Archives


· More Options



   

Agricultural Weather Forecast:

© 2006-18 The Valley Voice • 656 Exchange St., Middlebury, VT 05753 • 802-388-6366 • 802-388-6368 (fax)
Valleywides: [email protected] • Classifieds: [email protected] • Info: [email protected]