Our history

In 1999, the Combat Vets Motorcycle Club was introduced to the internet. Up until the first part of 2001, many people were led to believe that it was a true and established motorcycle organization. Eventually it was discovered that the CVMC was an internet scam stealing money from combat veterans.

Still interested in the issues of veterans, the Original 45 members decided to form the Combat Veterans Association®. The CVMA® was established as a nonprofit association on May 1, 2001, and has focused on our love of motorcycles and camaraderie with other combat veterans ever since.

The Original 45 adopted the CVMA/VFW patch. This was done with the VFW’s permission as all CVMA members were, or became, VFW members entitled to wear the VFW patch. Over the next year and a half, the CVMA was accepted at Post and Division levels across the VFW. Many meetings, conversations, and letters over this period with the VFW National always sounded positive but with no results of developing a more formal relationship.

The CVMA was granted official status by the State of Missouri on September 1, 2001, after submitting articles of incorporation. On December 15, 2002, the membership voted to make significant changes to its bylaws and structure. VFW membership was no longer required, thus opening the CVMA to all combat veterans who ride motorcycles.

It was also decided that they would wear a new patch. It was a one-piece patch combining the CVMA/VFW patch's background along with the old skull logo. This patch is worn by Full Members only.

At the 2005 National Meeting, members voted and approved a Supporter back patch for those who served in the military but had no combat service. Auxiliary and Support could now wear a smaller 10” back patch.

What started as a scam preying on veterans has turned into a nationally recognized association with the exact opposite mission. Today, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association® has grown in membership, and there are chapters and detachments in all 50 states as well as overseas.

"Combat Vets Forever, Forever Combat Vets"

We are an association of combat veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who ride motorcycles as a hobby. As a registered 501(c)(19) veterans’ charity, our mission is to support and protect those who have defended our country and our freedoms. Our focus is to provide assistance and help to individual veterans, veteran care facilities, other veteran organizations, and registered charities. We sponsor and participate in many veteran-related motorcycle (and other) charity events each year, and as a non-profit organization, we donate to various veteran causes.

Our membership is comprised of Full Members (those with verified combat service), Support Members (those who have non-combat military service and have a strong dedication to helping veterans), and Auxiliary Members (spouses of both Full and Supporter members).

Please note that we are an association and not a motorcycle club. Although we may be in a geographic area, we do not claim territory. We do not have a club house. We do not wear cuts or colors, but rather vests. The patch on our back is one piece.

The long ride here...

Red, representing the blood that has been shed on the battlefield.

Military Gold, representing all branches of the military of the United States.

Black, representing the heavy hearts possessed for those who gave their lives and for those that are considered missing in action or prisoners of war.

The Skull and Ace of Spades represent the death that war leaves in its wake.

The emblem of the CVMA® is in the shape of a skull encompassed by the following colors: