Motorcycle club rides to benefit Red Cross

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. William Farrow
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON, AFB, Alaska --  The recently formed Eielson chapter of the Green Knights Motorcycle Club roared across Interior Alaska Saturday in its first event, the 58 mile Ride for Red benefiting the American Red Cross of Alaska. The ride raised $3,687 for the Red Cross.

Founded in 2000 at McGuire AFB, N. J., the GKMC has grown to 37 chapters nationwide with each club chartered to educate non-riders about motorcycles, enhance the safety of all motorcyclists, mentor young riders and to work with the other chapters to improve safety and protect the rights of motorcyclists.

Currently there are 29 members in Eielson's Chapter 35 and anyone associated with the DoD is eligible to join.

The club doesn't charge dues or fees and other than payments to participate in the Ride for Red, the club hasn't been actively raising funds. "But if we do in the future, all the money will be donated to a charity," said Master Sgt. Barry Hayes, Chapter 35's Sergeant at Arms.

Sergeant Hayes said the club rides every other Thursday evening and they occasionally meet for Saturday rides. "We have an executive meeting on the other Thursday evenings that we don't have rides," he said.

Club officers currently are Capt. Patrick Genseal, president; Tech. Sgt. Robert Petty, vice president; Ms. Julene Abrams, secretary.

As the club grows in membership, Sergeant Hayes said the club's goals for the immediate future include working with the 354th Fighter Wing safety office and 354th Security Forces Squadron to make riding safer and more enjoyable and to teach young riders the skills needed to safely ride their motorcycles. "And, of course, we want to get out and enjoy the Alaska's summer riding season," he said.