Why Are You A Blue Knight?
Many riders of Blue Knights GA VII can remember long ago when we simply called each other when we wanted to ride. Of course the rides back then were usually small. Places like Tallulah Falls or the Blue Ridge Parkway.... Then one day they started getting longer, like Sturgis, South Dakota! We rode for pleasure and we rode to honor. We rode for one of our own who was shot and killed in the line of duty, (a ride that will never end), and then I remember a ride I made after a phone call asking me to meet everybody in the Badlands (South Dakota). I still remember the look on everybody's face when I pulled up for breakfast 30 hours later.
How did we cultivate into a club, you ask? Well one night, during one of our many overnight rides, we were sitting around a campfire in Yellowstone National Park when someone said, "Let's call ourselves the Blue Line Riders". (Each one of us claims to have had the idea first...) We became a club that night and during our first meeting, which was held at Jalapeno's restaurant, we even signed up new riders! Soon afterwards we were asked to fill in for some local Blue Knights who were escorting riders in "Operation Smile". (A ride from Atlanta to Nashville in 34 degree weather.) During the ride I was handed a cell phone by the ride sponsor and on the other end was Ronnie Young and Bob Flannagan, President and Vice President of the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club. They wanted to know why, being police officers, we were not Blue Knights! I asked him how I could make this happen and before our conversation was over, the Blue Line Riders became Georgia Blue Knights Chapter VII.
I often think of how large our chapter has grown since that day, yet we still seem to ride in small groups just like we did before the chapter began. Why is that? On some days it seems we're riding in all directions. Our chapter has members all over the city and we all work many different hours, so what does bring us together? After thinking about it a moment, it became clear.... "A Knight For Kids" and the "Georgia Police Memorial Ride", "Iron Torch Ride". The events that make us who we are!
During these events, Georgia VII as a chapter has raised over $800,000.00 for charities in eight short years. This has happened with hard work and sacrifices from you and the rest of our chapter members and I am proud to have been personally involved. As a result of our collective actions, we are now portrayed as leaders in our communities. What I'm trying to say is.... Let's stop the small cliques! I offer that we are one Army working towards a common goal. The heart and soul of every Army is the FOOT SOLDIER. Having said that, I ask that we all find a way to come together and stay together as one. Don't just come to meetings a couple times a year. Come to them ALL!! Be a foot soldier! Contribute and become involved. Bring to the table YOUR ideas for fun rides and charitable events. We are all the same, you know. Law Enforcement Officers just trying to make a difference. Let's start each year by making new friends and riding together as one, proudly wearing the colors of the finest organization in the world, The Blue Knights!
In closing I leave you with this thought.....
Blue Knights GA VII now has over 100 riders who call themselves a Blue Knight. Each member should be claiming a part of all the accomplishments of this great chapter and enjoying all that we have to offer. I ask you now to think of what that means to you. Are you having fun and are you staking your claim? If not, then why are you a Blue Knight?
Ed - proud to be your Prez....
