PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Patch, etc. rules from Oklahoma

[Mission Information For North Texas PGR]

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, as I'm sure they would (and DO)
when they come to Texas, as they do very often, and ride on our side of the
river.  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.

 

I have had questions about how these rules affect, or may affect, missions
in Texas.  I can't speak for the rest of Texas but I am not aware of any
membership, affiliation or other connection between the PGR and the CofC in
Texas, or particularly, North Texas.  That doesn't mean there isn't one, but
I'm not aware of it.  I have begun to research it, however.  There is no
plan to change what we wear to missions in North Texas.  Our "rule" is a
common sense one.  We should dress appropriately for the weather and we
should dress appropriately for our mission.paying honor and respect to those
we serve in a funeral type setting where we will be meeting people of ALL
ages and beliefs.  The Ride Captains will make determinations on scene if
something comes up.

 

This information regarding Oklahoma is provided for your information and
because so many of our North Texas riders also ride in Oklahoma.  If things
change I will do my best to keep you informed.

 

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.

 

Steve Lucas

Deputy State Captain

North Texas PGR

 

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:)

I have ridden in most states with my PGR flag and vest and it was welcomed
everywhere. Now I will remove the patch from the back of my vest and replace
it with the all service flag patch, when I ride in my home state.

As I said we are there for the families and hero's, none of which care about
the patch on the back of our vest.

----------------------------------------------------------

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/. <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 at yahoo.com
<mailto:scokla%40yahoo.com> .

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


Don "Pappy" Papin, Assistant State Captain, Ok Patriot Guard. 
Members of Congress should dress like NASCAR drivers, with their sponsors
displayed.
windyglensighthounds.com

Message #2

 

I am posting this add the direction of the National Captain.  

Effective immediately, the PGR back patch is no longer authorized for wear
in Oklahoma, at anytime. Members should not have any patch on the back of
their garments that is yellow and blue and has the PGR logo. Additionally,
PGR flags, banners, magnets, and stickers, are not authorized to be
displayed, on any vehicle (1 or more wheels) 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 or
headgear with the PGR logo in any color but BLACK or BLUE are authorized.

Ladies and gentlemen, this policy affects any PGR member traveling through
or performing missions in Oklahoma.
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