Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the last couple of days we have received a couple of messages from the PGR leadership in Oklahoma regarding new rules concerning the wearing of PGR apparel in Oklahoma both during missions and for casual wear. There are 2 messages below from Oklahoma concerning this, the second of which came from the national PGR web site in the captain’s forum. These rules apparently come from the Oklahoma PGR agreement(s) with the Confederation of Clubs in Oklahoma.
These messages come directly from the Oklahoma PGR leadership and I certainly believe that we should fully comply with their wishes when we ride with them and participate in missions there. There are also other recommendations here which do not involve missions. Please remember, also, that not only do you face placing yourself in danger from folks like the Bandidos and possibly others if you violate their instructions, you may very well make things very difficult for our Oklahoma PGR brothers and sisters who live and ride there on a daily basis.
Please use your heads and stay safe if any of this information affects you. Let’s please try and do our best to keep our brothers and sisters in Oklahoma safe, too.
The wording below comes straight from Oklahoma. Nothing has been added or edited. These are their words and their wishes. When in their house let’s do things their way, please.
Below you will find a mesage from our state captain reguarding the wearing of our back patch and other PG insignia. IMHO we are not a m/c and have a right to wear our patch with pride. In reality we do have a chain of command and I know our state leaders are doing what is best for the mission, the safety of our riders, and the state.
Since our mission is to those who have given their all, and our veterans, it is like a marriage, there are some battles that need to be fought and some time you just need to save it for the ones that are important:)
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.
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Topic: Urgent Notice regarding OK travel & PGR insignia (Read 1054 times)