Combat Vets Motorcycle Association

Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association
Patch of the CVMA
Motto	Veterans Helping Veterans "Vets Helping Vets"
Formation	2001 (2001)
Region served	US
Membership	Over 7,000 including Support and Auxiliary Members
National Board of Directors - President	"Eagle" Michael Long
Website	combatvet.org

The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association aka Combat Vets Motorcycle Association or CVMA is an association of combat veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who ride motorcycles as a hobby. Its mission now is to support and defend those who have defended their country and their freedoms. Its focus is to help veteran care facilities provide a warm meal, clothing, shelter, and guidance, or simply to say "thank you" and "welcome home."

The association's members are Full Members (those with verified combat service) and Supporter Members (those who have non-combat military service, and have a sincere dedication to helping veterans). There are members from nearly all 50 states and abroad. Many members continue to serve in the armed forces, with several serving in combat areas now. Although the basic motorcycle requirement is any make or model 500cc or larger, many ride Harley Davidson motorcycles and are HOG "Harley Owners Group" members. Many are also PGR "Patriot Guard Riders" ^[1][2][3] and members of their local VFW's and American Legions.

They sponsor and/or participate in many motorcycle-related charity events each year, and as a non-profit organization, donate to various veteran care facilities and veteran charities.^[4][5][6]

Current and Past Patch Designs

Full Members Patch

Members of Chapter 21-1 from Kansas in the 2011 Wichita Toys For Tots Run

Full Members Bike

Wounded Warrior Project Cars

In 2011 the CVMA/Wounded Warrior Project ^[7] cars were created by Cory Collins who was wounded 27 days into his first tour of duty in Iraq in 2005 when the truck he was in ran over a 500 lb IED. Collins was the only survivor in his truck. He spent five years going through surgeries and treatments trying to mend 30 broken or shattered bones, he ended up having to have his leg amputated ^[8] in 2010. Within 34 days, Collins was walking again with the assistance of a prosthetic leg. NASCAR fans voted for their favorite paint scheme for each car by going to either the facebook page for Goody's or BC Powders.

These are his CVMA designs:

101 Wounded Warrior Project Car~Recon

101 Wounded Warrior Project Car~Ghost

Membership

Membership requirements for being a new member is to be a combat veteran and ride a motorcycle 500cc or larger as a hobby. Unlike most motorcycle clubs, there is no prospect or probate period. The time the applicant spent in a combat zone verified by their DD214 or ERB/ORB^[9], entitles them to wear a Full Combat Members patch once approved, and they meet all other requirements and obey by the By Laws of the Association ^[10].

In an article in the Thunder Roads Magazine ^[11] in 2011 it was stated "This organization is a group of combat veterans from all branches of the military. These fine folks and their spouses just happen to ride motorcycles as a hobby. They sponsor and participate in many motorcycle charity events. As a non-profit organization they also donate to various veteran facilities. Their mission is to support and defend those who have fought for our country and defended their freedom. They strive to say “Thank You” and “Welcome Home”.The cover picture was taken in June at The Garden of The Gods in Colorado Springs, CO. The Kansas chapter was on their way to the National Convention."

Internet Scam

In the year 1999, the Combat Vets Motorcycle Club was introduced to the internet. Up until the first part of 2001 many of us were led to believe it was a true and established motorcycle organization. Through many turns of events it was found out that CVMC was an internet scam to milk money from Combat Veterans. In the early months of 2001 many of the members found this scam out & alerted one another. Since we were all interested in the issues of Veterans, 45 members decided to form a Combat Veterans Association. After this was decided, the birth of CVMA appeared as a non profit Association on or about May 1st 2001 & we now will be able to continue with our main objective which is helping Veterans. The 2 main things that brought us together was motorcycle riding & being Veterans from Combat zones or theaters. The original 45 members have adopted a patch to wear indicating that they are the original founding fathers of CVMA. In May of 2001 the CVMA adopted the CVMA/VFW patch. This was done with the VFW's ok as all CVMA members were or became VFW members and entitled to wear the VFW patch. Over the next year and a half the CVMA was well accepted at Post and Division levels with the VFW. Many meetings, conversations and letters over this period with the VFW National always sounded positive but with no results of developing a relationship. Copy of one letter. In December 2002 the CVMA membership voted to move on towards the Association it wanted to be. Along with this VFW membership was no longer required opening the CVMA up to all Combat Veterans who ride a motorcycle. On December 15, 2002 it was voted the CVMA would wear a combination of the CVMA background and the old skull logo as a one piece patch.

External links

• Official website

References

1. ^ [1]Posted: Wednesday, November 9, 2011 4:00 am | Updated: 4:03 pm, Thu Nov 10, 2011.By James Sandefer, Special to The Explorer
2. ^ [2]www.patriotguard.org/Home/Who Rides With Us as of 17 November 2011
3. ^ [3]Revving Their Engines by Alan Feuer 29 May 2009, The New York Times
4. ^ [4]
5. ^ [5]www.kansas.com/2011/11/07/2092798/thousands-of-toys-delivered-two.html]
6. ^ [http://explorernews.com/voices/editorials/article
7. ^ [6]
8. ^ [7]
9. ^ [8]
10. ^ [9]Combat Vet.org By Laws
11. ^ [10]