A Brief History of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association® (CVMA®)
In 2001, 45 individuals brought together by a common interest in veteran issues and an enthusiasm for riding motorcycles formed the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association® as a nonprofit organization. These founding members of the CVMA® became known as the "Original 45" and today can be identified within the CVMA® by the "Original 45" patch that they alone are authorized to wear.
The original 45 established the vision and mission of the CVMA®, which is "veterans helping veterans." This creed has become the very heart of the CVMA® and is rooted in the belief that there is no higher calling than veterans helping veterans. From the very start, the CVMA® was clearly organized to provide service to veterans, their widows, and their children.
The Skull and Spade were incorporated into the emblem as the CVMA® one-peace patch. All CVMA® members (Full/Auxiliary/Support) wear this one-peace patch and colors as the CVMA® emblem with the understanding that the CVMA® is not a Motorcycle Club (MC), but rather an association of combat veterans dedicated to helping veterans.
The NBOD (National Board of Directors) as well as many within the general membership have worked and continue to work tirelessly in clearing the CVMA® purpose and patch with the major (dominant) MCs around the nation. Through their efforts, the CVMA® does not normally experience any problems when traveling through an MC's territory.
Most of the MC community respects and approves of the CVMA® due to the efforts of the NBOD in explaining the purpose of the association and emphasizing the fact that CVMA® is simply a group of motorcycle enthusiasts, combat veterans helping veterans and in no way demonstrates competition or disrespect for the MC community.