The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association began when a couple of veterans in Kentucky, including one Missourian, wanted to start a motorcycle club. At the time, they likely couldn’t have guessed how far its reach would extend, or how much good it would bring to all veterans, not just those who enjoy riding motorcycles.
The CVMA has since extended its reach to every state. Its mission is to help support veterans in care facilities, whether that entails providing them with gifts during the holidays, giving them a ride on a member’s motorcycle, or simply lending a listening ear.
But the relief and well being that the CVMA aims to spread is not confined to veterans in care facilities; it also reaches its members.
Alan Benoit has been a member of the CVMA’s Lincoln-based chapter since 2009. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Benoit suffered from PTSD for many years following his service.
“I didn’t want to be around anybody. I decked a guy in Walmart and I didn’t even know him. He just tapped me on the shoulder. I needed help,” Benoit said.
Around that time his psychiatrist recommended Benoit join a social group, and since his brother had spent the last two years trying to get him to join the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, Benoit finally decided it was time he do so.
The CVMA has since extended its reach to every state. Its mission is to help support veterans in care facilities, whether that entails providing them with gifts during the holidays, giving them a ride on a member’s motorcycle, or simply lending a listening ear.
But the relief and well being that the CVMA aims to spread is not confined to veterans in care facilities; it also reaches its members.
Alan Benoit has been a member of the CVMA’s Lincoln-based chapter since 2009. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Benoit suffered from PTSD for many years following his service.
“I didn’t want to be around anybody. I decked a guy in Walmart and I didn’t even know him. He just tapped me on the shoulder. I needed help,” Benoit said.
Around that time his psychiatrist recommended Benoit join a social group, and since his brother had spent the last two years trying to get him to join the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, Benoit finally decided it was time he do so.
“It’s really helped me. It helps me to this day. It shows me that I’m not alone, and we’re there for each other,” Benoit said.
Aside from the camaraderie built between CVMA members, Benoit made it clear that helping others has been the greatest reward.
One of his fondest memories comes from a visit to a veteran’s nursing home. He called such visits “gut-wrenching” because of the pain and loneliness he observed in the facility. But one particular visit stirred tears in him rather than sympathy.
“There was a World War II vet from the Air Force,” Benoit said. “I brought him a book to read because I knew he liked to read … and I gave it to him and he cried.” Alan paused to take off his glasses and wipe at his eyes. “He hadn’t had any visitors, but this was the second time I’d seen him, and he was surprised I even came in that day. And he saw me and broke down, and that made my day. You can tell how lonely some of these guys are. We’re there to help.”
Aside from the camaraderie built between CVMA members, Benoit made it clear that helping others has been the greatest reward.
One of his fondest memories comes from a visit to a veteran’s nursing home. He called such visits “gut-wrenching” because of the pain and loneliness he observed in the facility. But one particular visit stirred tears in him rather than sympathy.
“There was a World War II vet from the Air Force,” Benoit said. “I brought him a book to read because I knew he liked to read … and I gave it to him and he cried.” Alan paused to take off his glasses and wipe at his eyes. “He hadn’t had any visitors, but this was the second time I’d seen him, and he was surprised I even came in that day. And he saw me and broke down, and that made my day. You can tell how lonely some of these guys are. We’re there to help.”
Benoit regularly visits two nursing facilities near his home in Chilhowee, Mo. This past Christmas he and his wife purchased, wrapped and delivered gifts to about 20 veterans. Sometimes he and other members of the CVMA invite the veterans to hop on the backs of their motorcycles for a joy ride. Other times they simply visit to provide company and a listening ear. “I sit down and talk to them. That’s all they want is a companion, someone to talk to, someone they can relate with,” Benoit said. Benoit’s chapter of the CVMA doesn’t stop at nursing homes when it comes to supporting veterans. Benoit said his chapter has helped to pay companion fares for veteran family members (some veterans qualify to fly for free to Washington D.C. to see memorials of wars they fought in as an “honor flight,” but their companions must pay their way). |
He also said that if he learns of a veteran, any veteran, in need of assistance, he will do his best to provide support.“You could call me and say, ‘Hey, I got a vet who needs some help.’ I’ll go and interview him and if I can help ... I’ll help,” Benoit said.
Benoit’s chapter raises the money to support these veterans through raffles, donations and an annual poker run. The poker run is simple enough: entrants pay a fee, and then ride along a loop course, collecting cards along the way. At the end of the course, entrants collect their fifth card, completing their poker hand. The person with the best hand is awarded a portion of the funds, but most of the proceeds from the event go to the CVMA.
“That money is used for a veteran,” Benoit said.
Benoit declined to say how much money his chapter raises each year, citing the strife it may cause with other chapters, but he did say that members of his chapter, one of 12 in the state, currently visit seven different nursing homes, spending regular time with approximately 75 veterans.
Benoit said that joining the CVMA has not only helped him to connect with his community, but it has helped him to overcome his PTSD. As the webmaster for his chapter’s website, he decided to create a symbolic message representing PTSD for the page’s background. The repeating image on the page shows an eagle with a glimmering tear below its eye.
“It represents the tears in my eyes,” Benoit said. “Anyone who goes through PTSD knows what it means.”
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, visit the organization’s official website for more information.
Benoit’s chapter raises the money to support these veterans through raffles, donations and an annual poker run. The poker run is simple enough: entrants pay a fee, and then ride along a loop course, collecting cards along the way. At the end of the course, entrants collect their fifth card, completing their poker hand. The person with the best hand is awarded a portion of the funds, but most of the proceeds from the event go to the CVMA.
“That money is used for a veteran,” Benoit said.
Benoit declined to say how much money his chapter raises each year, citing the strife it may cause with other chapters, but he did say that members of his chapter, one of 12 in the state, currently visit seven different nursing homes, spending regular time with approximately 75 veterans.
Benoit said that joining the CVMA has not only helped him to connect with his community, but it has helped him to overcome his PTSD. As the webmaster for his chapter’s website, he decided to create a symbolic message representing PTSD for the page’s background. The repeating image on the page shows an eagle with a glimmering tear below its eye.
“It represents the tears in my eyes,” Benoit said. “Anyone who goes through PTSD knows what it means.”
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, visit the organization’s official website for more information.