Thunder Roads Magazine of Oregon | Page 24

vets, all of which have locks on them. These doors are opened by a certain memory, moment, the anniversary date, a picture or a smell. These times can be hard on a member or a Veteran. Through our Brotherhood, we make bonds and friendships which are priceless. They help each other and fellow Veterans who call, just to talk or maybe to ride to forget. Our events range from fundraisers to supporting a specific veteran cause or another non-profit association helping veterans, showing support to deploying and returning Oregon Guard Units, honoring veterans who have passed when asked by the family, or maybe just sitting down with a vet to talk and show them that somebody still cares. Through years passed we have supported the efforts of Blue Star Mothers of Oregon, White City VA Hospital, Kevin Ross Memorial Foundation, Oregon Veterans Homes in The Dalles and Lebanon, V-Twin Project, Honoring Heroes Inc., Tribute to the Troops (OR), Vets Helping Vets HQ, Wreaths Across America, Portland CRCC, Do Good Multnomah as just a few examples. There are many more. We have partnered with the “Kevin Ross Memorial Foundation”. This foundation was created when the founder Joey Taylor lost his friend to his battle with PTSD. This “Silent Ride” was to raise awareness of PTSD in memory of Sergeant Kevin Ross who left us on Sept 14th, 2014. The 1st annual Silent Ride had 75 + motorcycles. We hope to triple that number this year. Future events this year are full of excitement and lots of beautiful roads to travel in Oregon. On May 15th, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association will be welcoming home a group of 40 WWII and Korean War Veterans from an honor flight from Washington DC into Portland. CVMA will have a booth at the upcoming Pendleton Bike Week July 20-24. During the bike week you will see on display the Ford Escape donated to “Blue Mountain Action Council”. Debbie Baker, program director for BMAC, accepted the donation on behalf of Zach Knight, who will use the vehicle to shuttle veterans back and forth between medical appointments and help them access their benefits. August 20th, “Vet’s Helping Vet’s” Scenic Ride. All proceeds will go towards CVMA in their efforts to help veterans. The ride is about 150 miles long. We will travel through the Willamette National Forest, passing Cougar Reservoir traveling the majestic McKenzie Hwy and finally ending at the VFW in Springfield. This is the 1st annual ride of newly formed Chapter 29-2 of Lane County. The members are very excited and hoping for a great turnout. Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 29’s efforts to raise awareness and funding to help fellow veterans with life events or just to get by day to day is mostly done by our own efforts. Our members give countless volunteer hours before and after work, weekends and vacation days to help the CVMA help Vet’s. If you would like more information on how you can make a donation or would like more information about the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association please contact: [email protected]. Also, please like and share any of our Facebook pages: Chapter 29-1: https://www.facebook.com/CVMAOregon Detachment 29-1A: https://m.facebook.com/ cvma291Abluemtn/ Chapter 29-2: https://www.facebook.com/ CVMAOregon292 Chapter 29-3: https://www.facebook.com/ CVMAOregon293 Thunder Roads Magazine® Oregon 21