I saw this posted on another website. THIS IS A MUST READ FOR ALL PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN PGR MISSIONS

Effective immediately, the PGR back patch is no longer authorized for wear in Oklahoma, at anytime. Additionally, PGR flags, banners, magnets, and stickers, are not authorized to be displayed except during funeral missions for Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, or Marines, who are casualties of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). Patches on the front of the garment (vest, jacket, shirt, etc.) are authorized - no PGR items should be worn on the back of the vest, shirt, or jacket. Shirts with the PGR logo in any color but BLACK or BLUE are authorized.

This ruling is due to the fact that some PGR members did not follow the original agreement put in place between the PGR and the Oklahoma Confederation of Clubs, through their agent, American Veterans Motorcycle Club (AVMC). Our actions and failure to follow a formal agreement has forced the Confederation of Clubs and the American Veterans Motorcycle Club (AVMC)(whose colors are blue and gold – the same as the colors on PGR items) to restrict the wear and display of the aforementioned items.

Ride Captains will enforce this rule. Members who violate this rule will do so of their own accord and without the support of the State or National leadership. If you choose to violate this rule, you can expect that if observed by an MC, specifically AVMC, you will be directed to remove the unauthorized item.

Background and History
The Oklahoma Confederation of Clubs is an organization organized under the auspices of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists. Among their many duties is their responsibility to resolve conflicts between motorcycle clubs, riding clubs, and other groups, associations, etc., related to motorcycles. The PGR, as a motorcycle-based “group”, like it or not, has to abide by the rules, resolutions, and edicts put forth by the COC. The COC itself is led by the predominant motorcycle club (MC) in a given state. As is the case of the State of Oklahoma, the COC is led by the State President of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club, Bandido Lee.

When the PGR (National) adopted a back patch several years ago, there was quite a bit of discussion (pro & con) about the need or desire for the patch. Ultimately, National left it to the discretion of the State leadership to either not allow the wear of the patch or to request permission for its wear through the COC. The COC, through AVMC allowed us to wear the patch on missions. However, a number of members have flaunted wearing the patch in venues outside the mission. In the motorcycle world, motorcycle clubs rule. We failed to follow our agreement and that has led us to this point.

For more information on motorcycle clubs, I urge you to read this link: http://www.rcvsmc.net/. In the case of the American Veterans Motorcycle Club, one must understand and appreciate the level of commitment members of a motorcycle club must have. They didn’t just show up one day (like the PGR) and begin wearing a patch. They’ve had to work hard to attain their position in the MC world (including the injury and death of members) just to wear their patches. Their current members can’t just go out and buy a patch – they have to earn it over a long period of time and take it very, very seriously.

So as not to put the AVMC or any other MC in a negative light, please understand that if we follow the rules and work with the MCs, you’ll find that all of them (like us) are actually decent, hard-working people. In the case of any veteran’s MC, of course they are all vets and deserve our respect.

This ultimately is the culture we choose to operate in. Regardless of your opinion, in order for us to accomplish our mission, we have to follow the rules.

Bear in mind that no one “hates” the PGR. I have spoke personally with Bandido Lee and he stated “I like what you guys do”. I have also spoke personally with several senior leaders with AVMC, Viet Nam Veteran’s MC, and Leatherneck MC and they believe in what we do (they were doing it before we showed up in Aug 05). They want to work with us. But we have to honor our agreements and maintain our integrity.

If anyone has any questions, please email me at scokla@yahoo.com."

Mike (Kit) Kittrell
Oklahoma State Captain
(918)671-4224

 

This is all just a bit silly really isn't it?

 

If that was what was negotiate thats what was negotiated may not seem fair but LIFE ain't fair
course what I think don't amount to a hill of beans in these matters

 

Well, if you've seen the AVMC back patch, even though it's a 3 pc, and the PGR is a 1 pc, they do look very similar. The AVMC had to work very hard to earn the right to fly their colors in OK.

 

"Well, if you've seen the AVMC back patch, even though it's a 3 pc, and the PGR is a 1 pc, they do look very similar. The AVMC had to work very hard to earn the right to fly their colors in OK."

The AmVets worked hard enough by just being Vets! For THAT they have my unyeilding respect.

For anyone who doesn't understand the difference between a three piece and a one piece patch and attempts to force thier opinion on the rest of society... Those I do not respect.

It is, after all, the AmVets and their fellow Vets who have given the them "the right to fly their colors" wherever they want. As it should be for anyone. Anything less is just street gang mentality.

Jim aka kiltiemon (USN, VVA, PGR, Respect is given to Anyone until it's shown to be undeserved.)

 

It appears to me that notification informing members not to wear the 'PGR Back Patch' in various States (Florida and Oklahoma for example) is coming from State Captains and other officials within the Patriot Guard Rider organization.

Below is a link from the PGR webpage in which State Captains show States in which member are (or are not) suppose to wear the large back patch.

http://www.patriotguard.org/ALLForum...c/Default.aspx

I'm not sure how 'up to date' the listing is, but the PGR Captains in each State would have current information.

If you disagree or choose not to follow the advice of the various State PGR officials it might me best to contact them directly.

I'm sure the Patriot Guard Riders have a chain of command that should be followed when it comes to specific State issues and directives that have been given to the general membership.

Direct contact with the PGR officials might be more beneficial in resolving an issue you do not agree with than posting 'pros and cons' on an internet forum...

 

Slowpoke84,

I also think that it is silly. If the AVMC and other clubs had to work hard to earn the right to fly their colors, its because they CHOOSE to do it that way. And if me and countless others CHOOSE to buy ours, what is wrong with that? I really don't understand this hangup on blue and gold, they are not proprietary colors, nobody owns them, it really looks like a "I have more influence than you" kind of deal, but not based on anything legal.

"Your patch is very similar to mine, so you cannot wear yours" This is what this amounts to, correct?

 

Whats the big deal? The PGR agreed to the policy between them and the COC in OK. So it is not the AVMCs fault that some PGR riders abused and disrespected the agreement.

 

There's probably more to this story than meets the eye. For all I know, a PGR member coulda had patches above and below the PGR patch that resembled rockers, and refused to remove them when asked by a club member. For all I know, a PGR member coulda disrespected a club member in some other way, and that was that. Who knows.

Personally, I'm a proud PGR member myself. But I wouldn't ever fly that back patch of theirs. Beings that they're not an RC or an MC, there's no need for it.

 

"There's probably more to this story than meets the eye."

Agreed 100%, Slowpoke!

Just did a quick search and found this from the Oklahoma Chapter 10-1 Combat Veterans Motocycle Club and I agree with THEM 100% as well!

"DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF CLOTHING OR CLUB MEMBERSHIP IS ILLEGAL
Any person whose exercise or enjoyment of rights secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States has been interfered with, or attempted to be interfered with may institute and prosecute a civil action for injunctive and other appropriate equitable relief including the award of compensatory monetary damages. The Supreme Court ruled in the case of Cohen vs. California, 403 U.S.15 (1971) that individuals have the constitutional right under the First Amendment to wear clothing which displays writings or designs. In addition, the right of an individual to freedom of association has long been recognized and protected by the United States Supreme Court. Thus, a person's right to wear the clothing of his choice, as well as his right to belong to any club or organization of his choice is constitutionally protected, and persons or establishments who discriminate on the basis of clothing or club memberships are subject to lawsuit."

Many MC's have a similar mission statement.

Something we ALL should work for!

Jim aka kiltiemon (USN, VVA, PGR)