Desert Warriors
2017-02-01Some folks ask, “Why another veteran’s club?” Well, the answer is quite simple: Not all veterans are alike. Yes, veterans are veterans, and all have given a part of themselves for this great Nation.
However, each generation of veteran has its own alligator to wrestle. Each generation is unique, and in so being, craves the camaraderie of others who have lived through similar or same experiences. Whereas all veterans have an enormous amount in common with each other, there are significant differences that are truly unique enough to set each generation apart.
Those veterans who have gone before us have been the role models that we have emulated; they trained us, mentored us, and passed the torch to us so that we can carry on our fight for freedom. They protected us when we returned, determined that we would be received as heroes, instead of viewed as criminals and miscreants as was my father’s generation. However, those generations will never fully understand what it is this generation experienced, any more than we can possibly understand the experiences of Operation Overlord at Normandy, fighting for terrain at the battles of Pork Chop Hill in Korea, or the surprise of the Tet Offensive in Vietnam. No, this generation needs its own identity, and needs to be with veterans who understand EXACTLY what his brother has gone through, and more specifically, what alligators he wrestles.
"We're a traditional motorcycle club, and as such, we are a brotherhood."
We did not form to separate ourselves from the other veterans clubs, nor did we form because these other clubs were not ‘good enough’. No, we have nothing but the highest respect for these clubs, as we know exactly how hard it was for them to carve out their place in the world of motorcycle clubs. We formed to identify ourselves as Desert Veterans, and as our brothers still sweat, bleed, and die over there, we’ve earned it!
So, who are we looking for? That’s a broad question and a difficult one to answer. Let’s face it: some veterans are dicks, plain and simple. But, I think it would be safe to say, although broad, that we’re looking for the guy who believes in what he did, believes in what our brothers in arms have done and continue to do, and wants to do what he can to support veterans of all generations. We want the guy who understands that it’s okay to trust his brother, because his brother will be trusting him... just like the trust he had in his unit.
That’s why we spend the majority of our fund-raising efforts in support of veteran support organizations. If someone else is raising money for our veterans, we’re quick to attend, regardless of who’s hosting the event. We realize we’re not even making a dent in the needs of our service members, but we’re very aware that every little bit helps. We’re looking for brothers who share this vision and want to help.
Our flagship event is our Veteran’s Day Poker run every year, and each year it gets bigger. We couldn’t think of a better time to support our wounded service members, and while we know we’re not even making a dent in the needs of the Fisher House, we’re very aware that every little bit helps. We want brothers who see this vision.
Harley Davidson and other muscle bike riders are welcome in the Desert Knights MC.
Sport and 'crotch rocket' riders are also welcome in the Desert Knights MC.
We’ve also recently changed our Harley Davidson only policy. This is bound to raise a few eyebrows, and truthfully, it was not an easy change for us. However, we came to understand that these young service members can’t always afford $15K to $20K for a motorcycle, but they may be able to afford $5K. Often, they come out of the military, thirsty for that brotherhood and camaraderie, but they can’t join the very club that identifies who they are simply because they can’t afford the right bike. We decided we were missing the point, as the bike they ride doesn’t make them less of a veteran, less of a patriot, or less of a brother.
Yes, we're a traditional motorcycle club, and as such, we are a brotherhood. But, more specifically, we’re Desert Era Veterans, and members of this club are...