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Red Knights NY III
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GRAND TOUR MASTER

Back in the olden days, when RKMC was just starting, the interwebs didn't exist, so the only way to tell others about the club was by word of mouth.  This meant that Knights had to get out and ride to visit other firefighters at their Fire Stations.  Someone came up with the idea of rewarding members who made a certain number of visits with a certificate and a pin.  Proof of these visits was needed and so the idea of the Grand Tour was born.  After visiting Fire Stations beginning with the letters G R A N D  T O U R,  members were given a pin.  Over the years, other rides were added, RED KNIGHT and FIREHOUSE rides, and then 12 STATIONS, any 12 fire houses.  Finally, for the ultimate challenge, Knights could choose to ride the ALPHABET tour, visiting Fire Stations with names beginning with each of the 26 letters in the alphabet.

Completion of the five Grand Tour Rides (GRAND TOUR, RED KNIGHT, FIREHOUSE, 12 STATIONS, and ALPHABET) earns the right to be called a GRAND TOUR MASTER and be awarded the final 6th rocker and challenge coin.  NY III is proud of our many members who have completed this accomplishment!

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Brian Pugsley - November 2019
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Tony Vogt - September 2020
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Mike Barber - October 2020
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Kevin Keller - October 2020
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Mike Mannarino - October 2020
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Matt Mickle - October 2020
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Pat O'Connor - October 2020
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Larry Gates - June 2021
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Donna Koch - June 2021
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Jodi Davis - July 2022
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Cara Ryan - July 2022
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Aaron Jennes - December 2023
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Andrea Clemens - July 2024
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Casey Clemens - July 2024

Not satisfied to do it once or twice, Active Member Don Gifford has ridden his motorcycle all over the country and completed the requirements for GRAND TOUR MASTER four times (that's 20 Grand Tour rides or 260 separate Fire Stations)!  Not only that, but he did so trying not to repeat any fire stations (which he did with the exception of a few - with only 3 (now 2) "X"s in the country that we know about, he had no choice).   That makes him a
MASTER MASTER MASTER GRAND TOUR MASTER!
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Don Gifford - June 2015
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Don Gifford - August 2016
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Don Gifford - August 2018
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Don Gifford - June 2021

LOYAL TO OUR DUTY
New in 2024, RK International created a new patch ride, "LOYAL TO OUR DUTY", only available to members who have completed the Grand Tour Master requirements.  With 3 "O"s, 2 "U"s, and 2 "Y"s!, this is a difficult ride to complete.  Don Gifford was one of the first 24 Knights, internationally, to accomplish this feat!
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Don Gifford - September 2024
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Andrea Clemens - October 2024
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Casey Clemens - October 2024
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Matt Mickle - May 2025
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