Unfair criticism of motorcycles

Off the Wire
MCs in the News

I am not a member of any motorcycle club or organization. No particular group or organization has asked me to write this. I am, however, a biker and feel compelled to state the following in support of a particular group of bikers with whom I share nothing more with other than a love of riding, sleeping, eating and breathing motorcycles and all that it implies.

The Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club is not, under any circumstances, an outlaw gang of any sort as has been stated by the Barre Police Department in this newspaper on April 26. They are a motorcycle club and are organized by a respected group of patriotic Americans, some of who have fought for and have friends that have died for this country. They, like all Americans, strive to enjoy the freedoms of this country which they love, only for them but also because of them, and for citizens to enjoy. To label their organization or any motorcycle club a gang is not only insulting, but completely invalid.

Along with the love they share for our country, is a love for riding motorcycles and the brotherhood they share because of this common denominator. If they have to explain it, you would not understand.

The same can be said for any motorcycle club anywhere, anytime. They do many things, all from the seat of a motorcycle, for children and charities throughout this state and all others. They, like all bikers, just want to be left alone to ride and be free. Let them. I feel the Barre Police Department and this paper owes the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club an apology.

John T. Cozza
Chelsea

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