THE EMBLEM OF THE
COMBAT VETERANS MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION®
IS IN THE SHAPE OF A SKULL
ENCOMPASSED BY THE FOLLOWING COLORS:
RED : REPRESENTING THE BLOOD THAT HAS BEEN SHED ON THE BATTLEFIELD
MILITARY GOLD : REPRESENTING ALL BRANCHES OF THE U.S. MILITARY SERVICE
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 SPADE REPRESENT THE DEATH THAT WAR LEAVES IN ITS WAKE.
THE PATCH ON MY BACK
MY VEST IS FULL OF PATCHES OLD AND NEW,
REPRESENTING PLACES I’VE BEEN AND THINGS I DO.
MOST ON THE FRONT AND LAYERED IN A STACK,
BUT NONE SAY MORE THAN THE PATCH ON MY BACK.
I EARNED IT IN BATTLE AS A COMBAT VET,
IT SERVES AS A CONSTANT REMINDER TO NEVER FORGET.
THE FIRST THING YOU’LL NOTICE IS THE SKULL AND SPADE,
A REMINDER THAT THE DEBT OF WAR IS NEVER PAID.
EVERY COLOR HAS A MEANING AND STORY TO TELL,
AND EVERY STORY HAS A MEANING WE KNOW ALL TOO WELL.
TO SHOW UNITY AS WARRIORS WE USE THE MILITARY GOLD,
FOR EVERY BRANCH OF SERVICE BOTH NEW AND OLD.
RED REPRESENTS THE BLOOD THAT MY BROTHERS HAVE BLED,
NOT ALL KNOWN BY ME, BUT A TEAR FOR EACH I’VE SHED.
WITH HEAVY HEARTS WE DISPLAY THE SYMBOLIC COLOR BLACK,
FOR THE MISSING, THE PRISONERS AND THOSE WHO NEVER MADE IT BACK.
YES, I KNOW IT’S JUST A PATCH - MADE OF CLOTH AND THREAD,
BUT BECAUSE OF WHAT IT MEANS I’LL RESPECT IT UNTIL THE DAY
I’M DEAD.
CVMA® PATCHES
Original 3-piece patch design of the CVMC
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®.
Used from 2001-2002 when the CVMA® affiliated with 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® members 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.
Current CVMA® patch established in 2002 (worn by full members only)
A Full member is a Veteran of the United States armed services and has verifiable foreign war service “combat”. A Full member must operate a motorcycle of 500cc or greater.
Support Member design
A Supporter member is a Veteran of the United States armed services and has verifiable non-combat military service. A Supporter member must operate a motorcycle of 500cc or greater.
Auxiliary design
An Auxiliary member is the spouse of a Full member. Boyfriends, girlfriends, and/or fiancees are not eligible.