The Defenders Motorcycle Club
By Shotgun Tampa Chapter
The patch on the front of our vests represents more than
most realize. The BLACK background represents the chaos
in the world that threatens our lives, our loved ones,
and our way of life. (I believe this is the evil of the
world and the battleground that the warriors of honor
and duty wage war to defeat the darkness) We, as law
enforcement officers, emergency services and military
personnel, risk our lives every day defending and
preserving our values and the laws of our land. Without
them, the world would only know chaos.
Most predominate on the patch is the white number ONE.
The number one represents the individual and their
commitment to each other as a brotherhood in our chosen
professions. We are a brotherhood of one. United in a
never ending fight to maintain justice, peace and
order.( This is from the Defenders Website, but I see
more than words and description, I see the contrast of
black and white, right and wrong, good and evil. The
color white has historically been a sign of purity and
honor. The white one indicates ONE VOICE, ONE EFFORT and
ONE FAMILY, the unity of many into ONE.)
The Thin Blue Line. The fraternal bond shared by all
members of law enforcement throughout the world. (I
believe the thin blue line is the line we all seek to
hold against the evil forces. We, as service providers
to humanity, all hold back the tide and strive to make
world a safer place. The blue line is our focus, our
grail. Our stand in behalf of our families, our brothers
and those we protect.)
The asterisk represents the dangers and lawlessness we
seek out and conquer each day. Each individual has only
“ONE ASS TO RISK” for the cause and the brotherhood.
With honor and fearlessness, we defend our citizens, our
country, our values and the American way of life. (While
the website does it justice, I envision the white
asterisk in the black background as a symbol of a star
of truth and justice in the wasteland of the
lawlessness. To boldly go where angels fear to tread. To
rush toward when the prudent would run the other way.
Like those that have gone before us, the traditions of
honor, dignity, devotion and commitment to duty are the
star that others will seek.)
I am reminded of a saying of General Robert E. Lee.
“Duty is the most sublime word in the English language.
One could do nothing more and would not want to do
anything less.” Duty is the responsibility to your
family, your brothers and yourself. Doing the right
things for the right reasons.
