I am amazed of how much work it takes to keep this fine machine tuned and in running order. It is only because your board of Directors is committed to doing the best job that they can possibly do.

There is not a day that goes by that the name “Red Knights” is not somewhere in an e-mail, voice mail, phone call, or discussion. I just touch the tip of the iceberg and spend about 50 hours per month on business. I have had direct correspondence on over 36 chapter issues and over 1100 emails.

If you have not taken advantage of looking at the web site, then you are missing a great opportunity to get yourself  up to date on a lot of information , Air Med, Pay Pal, By Law proposals, just to mention a few. LOOK NOW and OFTEN. It is another way for you to become involved. Look back at the year’s end reports and see what the board has successfully accomplished.

Since last year’s convention, I have attended two board meetings in Syracuse N.Y. I had the great pleasure, along with Leo Patry, to participate in the very first “Knights of the Round Table Tournament” in Titusville, Florida, where the  three motorcycle organizations; Red Knights (fire) Blue Knights (police) and Green Knights (military) met for a weekend filled with camaraderie, social events, games and of course rain. This was definitely one of the best ways to express our strong support for each other.  I was very proud to be with this group as your representative of the Red Knights. Please look now and make your reservations for the next one, hosted by the GREEN KNIGHTS in the Ozarks of Arkansas the 2^nd week of October. It is an event you will always remember and want to go back.

We are still in a limbo period waiting on more news about the piece of steel we will be receiving from NYC (Twin Towers).  The steel will be escorted to our memorial site in Boylston Massachusetts, and will become part of the tribute to our members, past and present.

I must say that I am a little disappointed in the response to our request for your help in selling the $10,000.00 Dream Vacation Raffle tickets.  Only1000 tickets are being sold, that is only three per chapter! As of the end of July, we have not sold all of the tickets. The proceeds are marked for support of the MEMORIAL. Please step up and help with this endeavor so that we can continue to keep this site a place we are all proud of.

I want to take a moment to say Thank You to everyone for your support.  I cannot say enough about the appreciation that I have for the International Board of Directors. All of the directors hold a valuable piece of the puzzle, and when one is missing the remaining players have to make up for the missing piece and at times it seems like it’s a losing battle.  My job is to assist in the movement of all the pieces and players.

However, the International Secretary, Bill Snodgrass and the International Treasurer, Leo Patry, shoulder the Lion’s share of the work. I am extremely confident when I say, without their diligence and attention to their respective positions we would not be the outstanding club that we are. These two men are a wealth of knowledge and history; they are the true meaning of “LOYAL TO OUR DUTY”.

Each meeting has a packed agenda.  Every board member has the opportunity to stand and express their values, speak to the issues, and exercise their right to vote on them. It is safe to say, that this group is proactive and at times the dialogue becomes healthy. At the end of the day, we come away with consensus and respect of one another’s opinions, and we are all RED KNIGHTS.

This is always worth repeating repeatedly, Thank You to all of the past board members and the leaders of this extraordinary club. I encourage all Red Knights to become active and involved with your chapter, state, regional organizations and the International Board.

Together we can foster growth, be part of healthy change and make this the best organization possible.

Sincerely,

David J. Emery

International President