Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association - Georgia Inc.

A 501C (19) tax exempt Veterans Organization
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Roaring Thunder  - 

1 November 2008

 

On 1 Nov 2008, CVMA members joined with the American Legion Riders as well as several other groups and individuals to roar onto Fort Gordon in Augusta Georgia to show their support for our troops and to support Fisher house.  It was a cold morning, leaving various body areas in need of warmth at the link up.  For once, Regulator got to sleep in as this event was happening in his own AOR.  Once everyone had linked up at exit 190, we preceded to the official RT 2008 start point at the Food Lion in Grovetown.  While hanging in the Parking lot, Little Johnny, the South Carolina chapter XO came rolling in to show his support.  We eventually fired up and rolled onto the base in a wave of bikes.  At DDEAMC we participated in the ceremony with several guest speakers and some of the installation leadership.  The Fort Gordon Commanding General and Command Sergeant Major as well as the DDEAMC Commander provided motivational remarks and expressed their gratitude to the sponsors and folks in attendance.  Several of the AIT kiddies were standing in the PGR Flag Line at both sides of the official party.  They started looking a little fuzzy about halfway into the ceremony and as a result, several CVMA members and others stepped in so they could have a seat for a while.  There was no shortage of free food and drink at the ceremony, with Shane’s Ribs, Little Caesar’s pizza, Rinehart’s, Dino’s and many other local vendors handing out free food and drinks.  We chatted with plenty of folks and a good time was had by all,  we slowly but surely started trickling away as the afternoon wore on,  with a small contingent moving to the local HD dealer to see what was on sale.  

 

The turnout was great (over 300 bikes) and cash donations received at the event totaled over $5500.00. Grand total of all donations for Fisher House was over $36,000.  That my friend makes for a good day!

 

Regulator

All Veterans Day Run –Anderson, South Carolina –

9 November 2008

 

This mission ride was a short notice run to Anderson, South Carolina in support of our Brothers and Sisters of the South Carolina, Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.

 

All correspondence was through Little Johnny, the XO of the South Carolina CVMA Chapter.

 

The day was beautiful with a high sky and morning temperature in the high 30’s warming to around 60 degrees in the afternoon.

 

War Hog arrived at Camp Dewman in Grayson, Ga. promptly at 0915 with KSU at 0930 hrs. Dewman, Lady Bug and War Hog then rode at a good pace arriving at exit 177 off of I-85 at 1045 hrs (nice run) where we met with Slingblade coming out of Hartwell, Ga.

 

We gassed and stretched a bit and then KSU at 1115 hrs for the run to the Waffle House on

Clemson Blvd.

in South Carolina to meet with Regulator. We had just pulled in when Regulator arrived riding the Kermit green machine. We talked a while, took a picture and departed at 1150 hrs for the run to Daddy’s house (SAA of S.C. CVMA) where we were to pre-stage with our South Carolina brothers/sisters and eat lunch.

 

On arrival at Daddy’s house in Anderson we met with Merlin and Cappy (Fla. Transfer’s to S.C.) who would be riding with the South Carolina chapter for the first time.

 

The S.C. CVMA members arrived and we had a round of introductions and welcome homes to one another. The South Carolina Chapter members included (not inclusive; I don’t remember all the names) Bulldog (SR), Keeno (CO), Little Johnny (XO), Daddy (SAA), Easy, MoFo, Angus, Cat, Merlin, Cappy, and other members.

 

Holly, Daddy’s wife had a big lunch laid out for us to eat, which included desert and all you could drink. It was awesome. Thanks Holly! After lunch, desert and swapping all of the stories that we could think of we had KSU at 1345 hrs for the ride to the Civic Center.

 

When we arrived at the Civic Center it was an awesome sight to see; motorcycles lined up two abreast from the street to way back around the building (probably 300 plus motorcycles). Departure was 1330 hrs after a small ceremony at the War Memorial at the Civic Center. Pictures were made with the Georgia and South Carolina CVMA members along with the Teufelshunde, USMC; MC. Teufelshunde is German for “Devil Dog”.

 

We departed the Civic Center with the line of motorcycles stretching several miles. Lady Bug took video of the complete ride from the Civic Center to the Richard M. Campbell Veterans Home. Once at the Veterans home we mingled with the veterans, shook hands and talked with them as some had come out (wheel chairs and all) to greet us as we greeted them.

 

The program at the veteran’s home included a 21 gun salute provided by civil war re-enactors (both north and south represented).

 

The Jr. ROTC Marine Corps youth members presented the colors, and the bugler played taps. This had all been set up around a very small field outside of the veteran’s home. The veterans were called to attention and presented arms during the playing of taps.

 

Four parachutists then exited a fixed wing aircraft high above us just as order arms were called. They descended towards the ground to land in the small field where a white marker had been set.

 

As the first parachutist descended he unfurled a very large American flag which was tethered to his leg. A rather large sand bag hanging below the American flag kept the Flag unfurled. As this parachutist descended slowly in great arch’s and turns the other three parachutists remained high, carried upon the air currents awaiting their respective turns to descend.

 

The first parachutist descended to the LZ, landing right on target. It was a beautiful sight. The second parachutist descended soloing much the same as the first parachutist, and hit the LZ.

 

The third parachutist had a slight problem and came down in a field amongst the trees adjacent to the marked LZ. Someone (maybe War Hog?) commented that the Air Force dropped him in the wrong area and he was lucky that he made it this far; but after discussion it was finally decided that Shadow was making a guest appearance to show what a real paratrooper could do and just flat out missed the LZ. LOL

 

The fourth parachutist slowly made his descent and landed right on the money in the dime size LZ where they were landing. They were all outstanding and put on a very professional aerial show on their descent to the LZ.

 

After a little more visitation with the veterans in the Veteran’s Home and with our South Carolina brothers/sisters the Georgia members bid their farewells and departed back to their respective home sites.

 

This was an absolutely fun and great riding day for a good cause. I can’t wait until the next run.

 

Dewman

Chapter Commander 

God Bless Fort Benning  –

22 November 2008

  

 

 

Leaving Atlanta the temperature was around 20 degrees but the skies were clear, warming slightly on the ride toward Fort Benning for link up with some of the Columbus Crew.  Around 1100, I met up with Dutch, Shack, and Matt at the Circle K on Veterans Parkway.  After everyone arrived, we mounted up and road over to the BP on the corner of Veterans Parkway and Victory Drive for a decent cup of coffee - then saddled up enroute to the staging area.  When we arrived, there were at least a hundred bikes already there.  Once there, we linked up with Handcuff and the Alabama CVMA so that we could ride together.  We took the opportunity at the staging area to walk around and visit with other vets and Soldiers that were from Sand Hill (Basic Training).  The ride began at 1330 - from Front Avenue up 10th Street, which was lined with soldiers and other spectators.  When then turned right (South) on Veterans Parkway heading towards the Civic Center and Victory Drive.  Once we reached Victory Drive, we headed towards Fort Benning.  All along the way, the Columbus Police Department and the Georgia State Highway Patrol had traffic stopped and people were lining the road.  In addition, a news helicopter followed us the whole way.  We traveled down Victory Drive to South Lumpkin Road and turned right, then left onto Torch Hill Road.  As we got closer to Fort Benning Road you could see the crowds gathered holding signs “Honk for our Troops” and “God Bless our Troops”, many waving flags, and some of the older Veterans saluting as we drove by. We turned left onto Fort Benning Road and made our way back to Victory Drive; heading back to the start point. When we returned to the staging area, the road was still blocked off so that we could park our rides online in the middle of the street.  Shack had to get back to household 6, but Dutch, Handcuff, Matt, and I headed for the Cannon Brew Pub for some chow.  After we ate our fill and told a few war stories, we headed back to the street.  We must have been stopped by at least six people asking us about the CVMA - Dutch took the lead since they were all from Columbus and gave them his card.  Many Soldiers stopped us to tell us they liked our patch.  It turned out to be a beautiful riding day - we all broke camp heading to the house around 1500.

 

Gray Wolf