Photo By Sgt. 1st Class David Edge | The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association takes time to pose for a picture at the...... read more read more
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FORT POLK, La. – When 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division deploys and redeploys there are always groups of people to cheer for the brave Patriots Soldiers. Some of these groups do what they can, in their own small way, to let the Soldiers know that they will be missed or that they have done a good job when the Soldiers return home. One such group is the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.
The CVMA is a mixed group of active duty and veteran motorcyclist that come together to show their support for the Soldiers. The motorcyclist has to be a combat veteran to join the riding club.
The group traditionally rides at the head of the vehicle convoy taking Soldiers to Alexandria International Airport, La., or bringing them back to Fort Polk.
“We convoy with the buses to show our support and our pride for the men and women that deployed,” said Sgt. Matthew Maibaurer, a CVMA rider. “Even if it just shaking the hand of a soldier getting ready to get on the plane or a pat on the back when the soldiers return from downrange, we want the soldiers to know that we appreciate them and everything they do to keep this country safe.”
Often they have little American flags attached to their bikes, but they always show their pride.
“It’s the little things like what the riders do that lets me know as a Soldier that we are appreciated. Those guys take time out of their busy lives to make sure that one of the last things that we see is a friendly face before we deploy,” said Spc. Michelle Garcia, a human resources specialist with Headquarter Co, 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
Garcia appreciated the send off but was surprised at the support received when she returned to Louisiana.
“I really wasn’t expecting them to be there when we returned. We arrived at the Alexandria International Airport very late, but they were there to welcome us home, I think that was just awesome,” said Garcia.
As the soldiers filed onto the busses before they deployed the CVMA were there to shake the hand of every Soldier. They were also part of the first group of people at the Alexandria International Airport, La., to welcome the Soldiers when they came home.
“The fact that those guys are always there for us no matter how hot or cold it is outside means a lot,” said Sgt. Alexander Weston, an infantryman with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. “They always have a smile and a kind word for the Soldiers. The Freedom Riders reminds us of who we are protecting when we deploy.”
| Date Taken: | 03.19.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.20.2014 16:56 |
| Story ID: | 122314 |
| Location: | FORT POLK, LA, US |
| Web Views: | 347 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Fort Polk’s Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, by SFC David Edge, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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