On an overcast Sunday this past May 2, 2004 the Nam Knights of America MC held their 12th Annual Car & Motorcycle Show at their new digs in Carlstadt, New Jersey. The Nam Knights Motorcycle Club was formed in the summer of 1989 by a small group of Harley-riding combat vets of the Viet Nam War, who were also police officers. Jack Quigley, now retired Under sheriff of The Bergen County Sheriff's Department founded the Nam Knights in New Jersey. Jack served as a platoon sergeant with the 11th Motor Transport Battalion, First Marine Division. Today, the Nam Knights of America Motorcycle Club has grown to19 chapters in eight states, with hundreds of members made up of veteran's of all eras as well as law enforcement personnel plus a few special and dedicated "civilians."

Jack has said, "The club was formed to recapture the brotherhood its founding members shared while serving in Southeast Asia, and to help other veterans of all wars who are unable to physically or financially help themselves."

Some of our Down & Dirty crew met at my place at 11am. Graybeard roared up on his 47 Knuck. It was the first time he was up and runnin’ since his sled got slammed after last years show (more on this in another article). The brothers got together and pieced it back. He’s going to ride it as the Down & Dirty radical rat it is for the rest of the season and then we’re going to tear it down and do it up. It is indeed a period piece of outlaw sled culture. A few more of the crew rolled in and we left in a light drizzle and road down to our local watering hole, Buddy's Place to hook up with the rest of the crew. One by one they rolled in, with a few no shows because of the threat of a thunderstorm. With most everyone accounted for we road down to the show. In good spirits after a long cold winter, this was the first ride of the season for some of the crew and the first time we road as a group since the fall of 2003.

Year after year this show gets bigger, but this year the weather played a big part in keeping the attendance down. But for the diehards there were many great custom, antique, stock, hot rod cars-trucks and motorcycles on display. One guy road his sled in and his ol'lady drove his kids up. These little ones got out of the cage walked up to dads ride and got to cleanin. Good kids. One of the bikes that really caught my eye was Bad Seed. Chris Neborsky of Wretched Excess Customs of NJ built this Special construction - Old School Rigid 80ci Evo 5 speed jockey. That's a story for next time.

Stayed tuned for the complete lowdown on this righteous rigid. I ran into some old brothers that I hadn't seen in years. One brother was Rotten Ralph. He had his 68' bronze Shovel in the show. Everything about this sled is clean right down to the custom leather hand tolled seat, by seat maestro Paul Cox. It is a clean machine that Rotten has been prowlin the highways and byways with for years in search of the perfect pussy. He's still lookin' ladies. 

This show was a benefit and a memorial to honor the memory of American Veterans and Police Officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Jack said, "The mission of the Nam Knights is to honor the memory of American Veterans and Police Officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, to assist Veterans and Police Officers in their time of need, and to promote community awareness through sponsorship and participation in various community and fund-raising events. " "The Nam Knights Motorcycle Club continues to grow and thrive due to the extraordinary dedication of its members, their families and our benevolent supporters."

When Nam Knights President Fred "Fritz" Reiman and Founder Jack "Just Jack" Quigley addressed the crowd and called out the honor roll one of the names called was John "Din" Samara. Din (short for Gungerdin) was a Clifton, NJ motorcycle cop who was killed back in Nov 2003 by some crack head in a van that broadsided him. Din was a regular for a while at our on going Friday night card game. When he first came around, as a friend of my sister-in-law who is also on the job in Clifton and also rides, our crew was a little hesitant to have a cop at the table. Our crew is a mix of old school graybeards and some young road warriors. One by one he won us over as a truly down to earth guy who loved to ride and just happened to be a cop. He was accepted into the game and was quickly accepted as a member of our dysfunctional family. We miss you John.

Ride free through eternity.

The day cleared up and we road back to Buddy's Place and partied till closing. All in all a good time and a good show. If you’re in the area check it out. I'll be back next year. Stayed tuned for the scoop on Graybeard’s Knuck and Bad Seed.

Till next time…Live Free Or Die!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jim Buck                                
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