The countdown has begun! Only 5 days left until the new season of
"Sons of Anarchy" begins. In honor of SOA's return, I thought it would be fun to shed some light on some of the Motorcycle Clubs operating in Rockland County.
There are six clubs that I am aware of...
The Wingmen of Spring Valley, The Fugawi MC of Hudson Valley, The Red Knights MC of Mid-Hudson Valley, The Blue Knights, Turnkey and
The Nam Knights Hudson Valley Chapter.
I recently had the opportunity to talk to the president of the Hudson Valley Nam Knights, Charlie Maushardt. Like Charming's Clay Morrow, played by
Ron Perlman, the Nam Knights' prez does own a local garage, Modern Automotive (located on the corner of Western Highway and Old Tappan Road in Tappan), but it's nothing like the Teller Morrow compound in Charming. MA is completely open for all the world to see and you're guaranteed to get some of the best darn service this side of the county.
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| Charles Maushardt, President of the Hudson Valley Nam Knights |
Maushardt himself is quite the polar opposite of Morrow. While Clay serves time, Charlie served in the US Army from 1969-1971. In 1995-96 he was honored as the Rockland County Veteran of the year. And this year the Nam Knights head was inducted into the
New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame. He is very proud of the honor.
I asked about his beginnings in the MC. Charlie shared that he joined the MC in 1991 under the parent chapter in Carlstadt, New Jersey. The Hudson Valley Chapter was established in 1998. Charlie became the president in 2000.
There are approximately 25 members of the HV Chapter. Unlike the outlaws of SAMCRO, the Nam Knights are made up of law enforcement officers and military vets. And NO, there is no gun running or drug smuggling through the county but a true commitment to family, the community and the country, which is displayed in all that they do.* As a matter of fact, the Nam Knights have a zero tolerance policy. Get arrested for anything from drugs to public drunkenness and you are out!
Nam Knights MC is not open to just anyone. There is a vetting process and you must be sponsored by a Patched Member to begin. Initially the process begins with "Hanging Around". This stage takes about 3 months and consists of riding with the Knights and
hanging. Yes, having your own Harley is a prerequisite as well. The president's hog of choice is the 05 Screaming Eagle.
Hanging around and riding gives you and the Knights a chance to get to know each other. If you both like what you see, you can spend up to the next year as a "Prospect". Prospecting is very much like interning. Prospects do whatever the patched members require of them. This could be running errands, assisting with the set up of events...Whatever needs to be done.
The final part to patching in requires an unanimous vote by all "Patched" members at a board meeting. If a member votes no, that is the end of the road for the prospect. "Where are these board meetings held?", you ask. Unlike SAMCRO, The Knights don't have a clubhouse on the outskirts of town to discuss club business. Instead, meetings are held at
Kennelly's Grill House in Congers, a friend of the MC.
I couldn't end our interview without getting answers to some questions that I think we all would like to know the answers to...
1. KA: "Are you a fan of SOA?"
CM: "Absolutely. It's entertaining."
2. KA: "Are MC jackets called "cuts"?"
CM: "That's a new thing within the past 5 years or so. Probably from TV. I call it my vest or my
colors."
3. KA: "Are there any rules regarding your colors?"
CM: "Guard them with your life. You worked hard to earn them. You work hard to keep them."
4. KA: "If someone is excommunicated from the MC, do they have to turn in their colors?"
CM: "Yes. You buy them but they are property of the MC."
5. KA: "What about tattoos?"
CM: "Yes. If someone leaves the MC, their tattoos must be dated (not covered)"
6. KA: "What if they move away?"
CM: "Yes. They would have to have them dated. If there isn't a chapter near their new location, they would be considered Nomad and they can't be out there like that."
7. KA: "Inquiring minds want to know, is there any truth to the booze and babes as seen in Sons?"
CM: (Laugh) "No Motorcycle Club in the County is remotely like that of Sons of Anarchy. Most
of the guys have families. As for myself I'm going on 42 years of marriage and six grandkids. A lot of guys in the club are married, have kids...we are strictly a family type organization. I'm not saying we all don't go out and have a good time but We are not like the sons of anarchy in that respect."
*The Nam Knights 14th Annual Fundraising Picnic will be held in Tappan this Sunday, September 8th. All of the proceeds are given back to the community. In the past, the Chapter's efforts have benefitted the Make a Wish Foundation, People to People, as well as local families and community members in need. Accept this as an invitation to come out to see what our MC is all about!
