The Red Knights Motorcycle Club - Pennsylvania Chapter 8 was chartered on April 14, 1997 and joined the Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club, incorporated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1982, a fraternal and social club promoting the positive image of motorcycling, motorcycle safety and education, while continuing the tradition of brotherhood and fellowship that exists within the fire service and as a local Charitable Organization, supporting the community and those in need of financial & moral support, where feasible.

Members of West Mifflin #3 were at the station when he arrived on his motorcycle with the Blue Knights Vest on his back.

One of the members said,” You cops have all the cool stuff…” (meaning the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club) and Pat replied, “There is a club for Firefighters called the Red Knights Motorcycle Club.”

A discussion on what it was and how to become a Red Knight followed, Pat took the lead on getting the information and they agreed to move forward and apply for a Chapter.

The Original Members from the April 1997 Charter - President Denny Frey, Pat Hillyard (officer), John Gardell (officer), Joe Kuczma, Terry Bentley, Rich Proud, Gary Proud, Mike Horgos, and Butch Hagan.

Meetings were originally to be scheduled on the last Wednesday of every month at West Mifflin #3, which didn’t work out as they planned, due to participation and was changed to Sunday evenings.

PA CHAPTER 8 WAS ORIGINALLY CHARTERED AS THE “McKEESPORT CHAPTER” using Denny and his wife Carol’s address...this was eventually changed to Pittsburgh Chapter after communications and requests by Reed to better represent where the Chapter was located and easier to find on the map for those not familiar with the City of McKeesport.

The first “real meeting” was held in July of 1997… April 2022 was the 25 th Anniversary of the Club, Pat receiving his “Life Member” Status as the only Charter Member remaining active.

Pat recounted the origin at the Chapter Anniversary Meeting.

During the summer of 1982, several firefighters were visiting “Randy’s Cycle Shop” in Boylston, Massachusetts. The subject of motorcycle clubs came up in discussion. 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 the tire kicking session, owner Randy Wilson suggested to Ed Wright, a firefighter form 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 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, Edward Wright, Roger Wentzell, David Hamilton, Bob Goulet, David Hunt, Jonathan Tripp, Don Parker, Norm Beausoleil and Chief Jon 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 second chapter was formed in Connecticut. In October of that year a second chapter was in Massachusetts was raised. Soon applications came in from such distant places as Nevada and Louisiana.

In 1984, the first club convention was held in Boylston, MA. Each year since, a convention has been held for all RED KNIGHTS.

In August of 1983 the founding members realized the organization was rapidly growing beyond their original expectations. To properly handle the growth, they elected a committee to serve as the National Board of Directors. With applications from Ontario and Saskatchewan Canada, the club became known as the …. Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club®, Inc.