The Pass Through Pin

[@baronblansit]

Me and my twin brother were raised in biker community on runs to cali from Georgia on the back of a trike with our dad.Me and my twin brother served in the Marines for 8 years after high school. My understanding of the pass thru pin is as follows: A laundry pin, originating from duffel/ditty/gunny bags used by members of US armed forces. Many MCs originated as veteran groups, and The wearing of a laundry pin was originally a symbol of someone recovering from service-related mental illness like PTSD, essentially saying that they are "out of the fight". And now has evolved to looking to passthrough other bikers' areas of enfluence and not wanting or looking for any trouble. I love my brothers and sisters from the military as well as the biker community in general and wish them all well in their fight to recover from any service related issues they may be experiencing. I do like that it has evolved even further. I do see a lot of Veterans riding bikes when I go visit at my local VFW in my area. If you see a pass pin on a cut, please be respectful and enjoy in the fact that you may be from different areas but you are brothers and sisters in the same enjoyement of having the wind in your face, with your back to the world on the road of life. I literally was raised on the back of a trike at the age of 8. I have experienced so many great times like the 4th of july with over 250 members firing bottle rockets and roman candles at each other for hours with drinks, dogs and burgers being consumed in a cloud of smoke and laughing. I saw roman candles in waist bands blowing the seat out of pants because the firing end was put in backwards after the fuse was lit. I find it hard to ride a bike nowadays. People just can not seem to turn their heads when changing lanes anymore. Almost seems like using their eyes and mirrors are an afterthought after they run someone off the road or smear them into another vehicle. I love my 9 grandkids and want to watch them grow up more than ride. So, everyone be good to each other and use your mirrors and turn your head before changing lanes because you may have a biker beside you that wants to get home to his family.

[@jef1cruz]

Really enjoy the knowledge. I did 10yrs in the navy and used the pin. I never knew the history. Thx

[@brentsnoddy1951]

Yep I had one of these for the laundry Ditty Bag even in the early 80's. We were issued these in boot primarily for laundry day with your dirty socks and skivvies (underwear) all in this bag and sealed through the mesh weave. Since your socks and underwear were stenciled with your last name as were your bellbottom dungarees and light blue shirt. When laundry came back we would do circles around all the racks with a few ditty bags in each hand. The ditty bag had a small white tab with your last, then first name stenciled on it as well so whenever you passed by one of your shipmates rack you would throw their bag on their rack. After all was done you'd head back to your rack and secure your draws and socks. I remember that our ditty bags were also used to shit, shave & shower with all of your toiletries in it, again sealed with the pin. I am going to have to make an (un)educated guess that the name Pass Through is probably some squid vernacular that in addition to a shore leave pass when in port, it was customary to bring laundry for a good washing out of salt air (and water) in a port-o-call. Find some place that you could drink, get your pee-pee waxed and wash your shit so-to-speak. Pass through pin would probably mean this may have been noticed when getting permission to leave the ship across the quarterdeck. Huh, I think I still have mine somewhere in the basement. Now, 40+ years later I did not know this was adopted by riders, however, it does make sense as most of the rider rebellious attitudes did come from post WWII where guys just wanted to let off post war shell shock. If memory serves me correct we also put in the white Dixie cup cover(s) in the ditty bag as well for washing. Note that everything that was being put in this ditty bag was white. God forbid you put anything in else in that bag. Now there was a comment about using it for the green sea bag. The only time we used this pin for that was the day we were issued uniforms and marching back to the barracks, that pin was used until a lock was issued to our dumbasses. The key to this lock was put on your dog tag chain so us bunch of f*ckin dildo brains who would still f*ck up a soup sandwich wouldn't lose it. The locks, and I quote from FMJ, "It it wasn't for dickhead thieves like you, then you wouldn't need a locks now would we?!". Notice some of the inspirational early Navy motivational speech therapy that still haunts, I mean, still motivates me to this day. LMFAO So, being a former squid, I have to ask this: I am not in a RC or MC however I do ride for the Indiana Patriot Guard and various other vet organizations/events where the back of my cut is rocker patched with Navy Veteran and old school Navy emblem. With this, is it against protocol if I were to wear one on the back or front? I do ride with numerous other MC club bikers but have never seen any one of them wear one. Funny how we kinda hated those things while in the Navy, but later in life, I'm actually considering wearing a pass thru pin. I truly do believe what you said Yogi that if ya gonna wear it ya better be able to talk about it and given this post, I think I got that covered. lol I'd be curious for your or your subscribers to comment on this question. Sorry for the long post. Boy that brought back some memories. Be safe out there!

[@YogisCycleService]

Hey my man great post!! No I don’t think anyone would say a thing if you had one on your cut with the exception of why and purpose. Your explanation would be fine I am sure.

[@darrellfolk5284]

Awesome and Fun video for sure!

[@bobrose3298]

Thank you! I've always wondered what the pin represented. Great job!

[@Inshock22]

Hey Yogi, I enjoyed that.. lots of love, ride safe & God bless

[@YogisCycleService]

Hey my man good to hear from ya!!

[@MinnowMoto]

I had no idea, and that is pretty cool. Great history lesson. Thanks Yogi!

[@YogisCycleService]

Thank you!!

[@allenmicheal8134]

I learned that a big brass pin that I got from grandpa who served in WW2 in the Navy. This pin was most likely his when he served. He really did not mention what it was, really did not want to talk about many of his experiences. Which I later heard from my grandma, he had some bad experiences. Now that I know what is. I may wear it on my rags more for my grandpa but as well for the "just travelling through" possible scenerios. Thanks for the history lesson.

[@TheBlueBikeDoyle]

I remember seeing some before but it been long time . Probably seen them recently but just didn't notice. But had now clue

[@chuckhabrack3330]

I will follow up to Squirrels answer to the placement. It was on the back under the lower rocker for decades. It moved to the chest pocket not very long ago. The reason is the bikes. In the last 20 years the preferred Club bike has changed from a Dyna to a Road Glide. With tour packs and back rests the lower part of the cut has been covered up. The other part that may also contribute in some degree is more Wives/Girlfriends are riding with, making a pass through pin hard to see on the bottom of a cut.

[@stephenadams5293]

Use to wear one on my cut, my Ma gave it to me when I started pursuing membership

[@bennysr5220]

Interesting 👍

[@Drengr1901]

Originally, they were horse blanket pins, at least where I came from.

[@rwes2940]

Laundry pin

[@paulsilson2148]

Haven't spoke with you in a while , hope you and family are well. I am back with my old mc , the one we spoke about. If you ever start something up this way contact me if need be , and I would be glad to help you out. Take care my friend

[@YogisCycleService]

Right on good to hear from you and intersecting update I appreciate the heads up and wish you many blessings. I will definitely be in touch and appreciate that very much!

[@foreveracex]

So i’m not part of any club, but i got a buddy who rides in a RC. Is a pass through pin necessary for a riding club? They don’t have a charter location they just ride around

[@YogisCycleService]

No they should be good to go.

[@allenmicheal8134]

I have heard. Just heard, no expert by any means. But I was told if you are wearing rockers in your rags. Would be a reason to confront you?

[@allenmicheal8134]

Pretty sad peaceful, easy riders just riding the country. Have to show they are not looking for trouble. 2 wheels down all!