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.
