The Beginning: Combat Vets Motorcycle Club
In 1999, the Combat Vets Motorcycle Club was introduced to the internet. Initially it was believed that the CVMC was an actual established motorcycle organization but, in early 2001, it was discovered that CVMC was simply an internet scam designed to milk money from combat veterans.
Still wanting to remain organized for the purpose of supporting veterans issues, forty-five members decided to form a Combat Veterans Association. In May of 2001 the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association was started as a non-profit organization, allowing its members to continue working toward their main objective of helping their fellow veterans.
The original 45 members have adopted a patch to wear indicating that they are the original founding members of CVMA.
CVMA and the VFW
In May of 2001, the CVMA adopted the CVMA / VFW patch. This was done with the VFW's permission as all CVMA members either were or became VFW members, entitling them to wear the VFW patch. Over the next year and a half the CVMA was well accepted at Post and Division levels within the VFW, but repeated efforts with the VFW National failed to define an officially recognized relationship between CVMA and VFW.
In December of 2002, the CVMA membership voted to begin taking steps to officially establish itself as a veterans charity association independent of the VFW or any other organization. As part of this decision, membership in the VFW was no longer required, opening CVMA membership to all Combat Veterans who ride a motorcycle. It was also decided that the CVMA would wear a one-piece patch composed of the CVMA / VFW background and the old CVMC skull logo. This patch is worn by Full Members only. CVMA Supporter Members and Auxiliary Members each have their own distinct patch based on this design.
Today's CVMA
In the decades since that time, the CVMA has seen dramatic increases in both its membership numbers and the number of chapters nationwide. Today, CVMA is helping our fellow veterans in every state in the country and has overseas chapters in Europe and Korea.