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© The Red Knights of Rutland Vermont - 2009
About Us
First RideRed Knights, VT Chapter III (3), came into being a few minutes prior to the start of the Killington Classic Parade, September 10, 2004, when International President Ed Brouillet, Westminster, MA, International Treasurer Leo Patry, Ontario, Canada and Northeast Regional Director Dave Emery, Brattleboro, VT bestowed our charter. VT 3 joined two existing VT Chapters, VT-1, Burlington and VT-2, Brattleboro. From that date forward, extending to one calendar year, anyone joining Chapter 3 would be considered a “Charter Member.” What follows is how we arrived at accepting our charter . . .

In 2003, Vern Swint moved to VT a few months after closing out a 33-year law enforcement career. Among other items, like a wife, daughter and dog, he brought along his H/D Motorcycle. Shortly after moving to VT, he joined the Chittenden Volunteer Fire Department. Previously, as a retired law enforcement officer, he had tried to find a local chapter of the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club and, more on a whim than anything else, “Googled” “Red Knights,” and up popped the Red Knights International web site. A minimum of seven members was needed to form a chapter. Initially, the most challenging hurtle was to find seven motorcycle-riding firefighters, anything less would not make the grade. Vern took his idea to Rick Ferrell, long-time member of the CVFD, long-time resident of Rutland. Rick knew the people, where to go, who to see. Together, they began canvassing local departments and in short order the word began to spread. Before too much time passed, the necessary seven and more were submitting applications. We were on our way to becoming a chapter.

Charter membersThe Rutland City Fire Department played a very large role in forming our chapter, not only providing a cadre of solid members, but also allowing meetings to be held at their station. Our first elections were held there. Rick Ferrell, our first President, served three years before his duties with the 158th Fighter Wing (Green Mountain Boys),
to include two tours in Iraq, made it necessary for him to step down. Don Moore succeeded Rick. Vern Swint was Vice-President, Rusty Chapin, Treasurer, Mike Robillard Secretary and Nicole Chapleau, Quartermaster. Our first Road Captain was Ernie Cioffi. Today, in 2009, Mike Robillard is Vice-President, Larry Dellveneri, Treasurer, Vern Swint, Secretary and Andy Megrath Quartermaster, having relieved Chapter President Don Moore of that dual responsibility.

Not to be forgotten, the Vermont Fire Academy allowed us to use their facilities for meetings, when the RCFD could not accommodate us and vice versa. Ernie Cioffi and Larry DellVeneri have coordinated meeting places from the beginning and continue to do so.

Among our community service and fund raising efforts has been the annual “Ray’s Ride” conceived and implemented by our chapter, to honor the late Ray Davison, Vergennes Fire Department, and to contribute to a scholarship fund bearing his name. Ray was well known in VT as a fire instructor and mentor. Every year, we attend a grave side memorial service for Ray, one of the really good guys. Beginning in 2009, Chapter IV, Ferrisburgh-Vergennes, will take over “Ray’s Ride,” willingly assisted by Chapter III.

Chapter Start UpSince the beginning, elected positions have changed hands, a few members have come and gone, but through our five years as a chapter we have continued to grow, adding new members, increasing from a few to many, all of whom, one way or another, play an important role in the strength of VT-3. We have been joined by two additional chapters in VT, Chapters IV (Ferrisburgh-Vergennes) and V (Wells River). More recently, all five chapters joined to become a “State Association,” with VT being designated State Association 11. We have come a long way since 2004, all the way to more than 60 members. That pretty much says it all.