How old is Warhorse Brotherhood MC and what is the club history? The original founder, Randy Kent and the name of the club was “Southern Vets Brotherhood MC”. The idea was to form a traditional MC composed of veterans who served honorably and a very small number of select non-veterans. For the first several years the club wore a front patch as we established our credibility as a serious club that
understood and respected the MC world and traditions. What started as a small front patch grew to a large front patch with rocker and MC cube. An honor patch was added to the back in 2006. Then, in February 2008, Southern Vets Brotherhood was authorized to wear the full three piece back patches of a traditional MC. All clubs experience internal conflict at some time in their history. Ours came in 2009 when we discovered rats in our midst. Two members with whom the rest of the club was having issues betrayed the club’s trust and trademarked the name and logo of “Southern Vets Brotherhood” with themselves as owners. The rats were immediately expelled from the club and, in July 2009, we changed our name to “Warhorse Brotherhood MC” and the new colors were adopted. The club moved immediately to protect the Warhorse Brotherhood MC name and logo with Federal Trademark. In November, 2009 We were approached by representatives of two chapters of the Warrior Brotherhood MC. Nationally, Warrior Brotherhood MC was experiencing internal conflict and many chapters nationwide were breaking off and either forming new clubs or patching over to other existing clubs. On November 28, 2009 the Florence SC (P*e Dee) and the Columbia, SC (Midlands) chapters of Warrior Brotherhood MC patched over to Warhorse Brotherhood MC as probationary chapters. Warhorse Brotherhood MC was now a state-wide club. In March, 2010 The parent chapter (Lowcountry) removed the probationary status from P*e Dee and Midlands chapters and presented them with their chapter front rockers. They were now full chapters. In March, 2010, the state of South Carolina granted Warhorse Brotherhood MC a Certificate of Existence as a non-profit organization.
2. What does the name and colors represent? The word “Warhorse” is a very old term for a veteran. It is appropriate because it is a throwback to the days when people held honor and integrity in far higher esteem than they do today. We are a brotherhood of veterans : hence, “Warhorse Brotherhood”. Our center patch represents several things and one thing at the same time:
The central figure, of course is the war horse. Strong and faithful, it represents those who stood ready to charge the field of battle at their nation‘s wish. Behind the horse is a crossed battle axe and mace. The weapons represent the tools of the warriors trade. Hanging from the war horse’s neck are two skulls. They represent death: the wage of the warrior, and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. George Orwell once wrote “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf”. Our center patch, while representing several different things, combines to represent the veteran as a whole: the rough men who, for however long or short a period of time, set aside their own lives and dreams of personal gain and stood ready to do violence so that others could sleep peaceably at night.
3. So, why are there non-vets in a veterans club? Korea and Vietnam were not popular wars. The crest of good will that the U.S. military rode immediately after WWII began to wane following Korea. During the Vietnam war the public sentiment toward the military turned to outright hostility. Thanks largely to Hollywood, liberal politicians and activists, the majority of the American public began to view the military as second-class citizens at best and criminals at worst. Instead of being respected for their service and sacrifice, America’s military found themselves being spat upon and subjected to denigration, bias and even physical attack. There remained, however, a small percentage of civilians who openly supported America and its warriors. They honored the flag when it seemed like everyone else was trying to burn it, cheered at the veterans day parades when it seemed like everyone else was jeering and spitting. They recognized the sacrifice and dedication of America’s warriors in those unpopular times and they honored and supported us. Their support for us earned them scorn and ridicule from the majority of their fellow citizens. It is because of that small percentage of civilians who supported us when most of America would not that Warhorse Brotherhood MC accepts a small percentage of non-veteran members - it is our way of acknowledging them and saying thank you for standing behind us when so few would. We accept only a small number of non-vets because only a small number of civilians supported us. At no time will the non-vet membership of any chapter exceed thirty (30) percent of the entire membership of that chapter. It is not required that chapters have non-vet members. In fact, for reasons that do not bear discussion here, some chapters will never have non-vet members. Warhorse Brotherhood MC is, first, foremost and forever, a veterans club. Thus, while a non-vet may hold some of the offices, the offices of President and Vice President (chapter, state and national) will always be held by Veterans.
4. What does the “firstborn” patch mean? The “Firstborn” patch is worn only by those brothers who were members of the original (Lowcountry) chapter at the time Warhorse Brotherhood MC expanded to a multi-chapter club.
5. What are the basic requirements to be considered for membership? First, consider carefully what it is you are about to get into. Beyond that:
1.Veterans - must have honorably served for at least two (2) years.
2.Everyone - must be of good character. Doesn’t mean you can’t have a record, just means we will take a close look at it. After all, for years judges used to give people the “join or jail” choice. Many of those people went on to distinguished careers. Everyone screws up occasionally, some people just screw up worse than others. Some offenses, however, are not acceptable - ever.
3.Must own a cruiser-type motorcycle 750cc or bigger.
4.Must have a motorcycle license and insurance.
5.Must be willing to submit to an extensive background check. These are not all the requirements by any means. These are just some of the basic things that we would ascertain before we would even consider inviting someone to be a hang around. We are a traditional MC: we adhere strictly to the guest- hang around- prospect process.
6. When does a person go from guest to hang around? When and if we think you are ready (and you have passed the background check and we have verified your service) we will issue a one-time invitation.
7. When does a hang around become a prospect? When and if we think you are ready we will issue a one-time invitation.
8. How long is the prospect period? If you gotta ask you wouldn’t understand.
