LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Chapter 4 of the Department of Defense recognized motorcycle club, the Green Knights, is back to its engine-revving, lane hogging and regular earth-shaking ways.
At least, that's the level of intensity the Lackland based club brings to its brand of philanthropy.
The club recently participated in the San Antonio Ride 4 Troops May 14, an event that featured more than 450 local motorcycle riders.
The sixth annual 60-mile excursion from New Braunfels to Luckenbach raises funds for the San Antonio Fisher Houses, a no-cost living arrangement for families of service members receiving medical care.
And, what's more aggressive than the rumbling stream of machines is the social impact of the Green Knights - as well as like-minded clubs, the Blue Knights (San Antonio Policemen) and Red Knights (San Antonio Firemen), when the smoke clears from these rides.
The Green Knights' second time participating in the charity ride, more than $20,000 in donations was raised for the city's Fisher Houses, said Chapter 4 president Tech. Sgt. Tony Medina, 59th Clinical Research Division.
His No. 2., Chapter 4 vice president Master Sgt. Tony Green, 59th Laboratory Squadron, elaborated on the weekend's importance. He witnessed one of the Medical Group's own being taken in by the Fisher House on base.
"It's something we are passionate about, giving back to the Fisher House," he said. "They took care of one of our own, not to mention the wounded warriors that come back from overseas. We like to give back to the people that are serving the country."
But only a couple years ago, fundraisers like this were out of the question.
Back in 2005, the Chapter 4, which supports Lackland, Randolph and Brooks-Kelly riders, went into a period of dormancy due to losses in membership.
Then in 2010, Sergeant Medina helped begin its resurgence while searching for a local club to join.
"Going through the clubs in the San Antonio area, some of them are considered outlaw clubs," the sergeant said.
A Google search brought him to the national Green Knights motorcycle club website, and the realization that it was Air Force affiliated and a chapter existed here at Lackland.
Sergeant Medina talked with the acting chapter president and before he knew it was accepting the club's head position. The sergeant identified with the club's commitment to safety.
"I did it because it's here on base, and we look to promote safety," Sergeant Medina said. "It's just the camaraderie of riding and getting together. Plus, it helps people get out there and learn their bike a little better. Hopefully, it prevents accidents."
He soon met up with Sergeant Green, a man with a similar focus on safety and community service.
"I was hesitant at first, but I said OK," Sergeant Green recalls. "It was just me and him, and now we have 71 members."
Slowly, the two-man team built up its ranks during 2010, recruiting within the medical squadrons first and meeting for club rides, and then networking with other local clubs like the Blue Knights on charity rides.
By January this year, the Air Force club had more than enough members to start rolling.
"We're trying to do as much as we can," Sergeant Green said. "The first year was kind of our building year."
Their efforts paid off. The private organization now gives back to the community on a weekly basis.
Monthly meetings moved from Godfather's on base to weekend rides across Texas with stops for lunch.
The operations changed from recruiting members and donations from a booth at the last AirFest to raise money for operating costs to coordinating a Critical Days of Summer safety ride and a safety demonstration at Beard Elementary School May 20.
The Green Knights also accept the occasional retiree ride.
"There are always going to be motorcycle riders out there," Sergeant Medina said. "With us, we just want to get the safety message out there to lessen that chance of any accidents, and in turn hamper of military mission, which is to deploy, and fly, fight and win."
And, it's not such a dull experience to join hundreds of motorcycles on a ride.
"It's just a thrill," Sergeant Green said about the larger rides. "Last year (at San Antonio Ride 4 Troops), we had 600 bikes. We actually shut down part of I-10, unintentionally."
Plans for a Texas chapters of Green Knights ride and a Green Knights family event are in the works for later this year.
The club is free for military members to join, with meetings, rides and events monthly.
For more information, contact Sergeant Medina at 292-5190; Sergeant Green, 292-5482.The LeMay Foundation awards grants to retired Airmen and their spouses in financial need.