THE MAKING OF THE MVMA

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The MVMA was founded by military veterans who served during the Persian Gulf War, Desert Storm/Desert Shield, and on foreign soil. They are dedicated and fiercely loyal to their family and friends, and they have a serious passion for motorcycling! The Founders wanted to create a motorcycle organization that ALL veterans and military members are welcome to be part of, regardless of length of service, location of service, branch of service, rank, MOS/job, disability, or anything else. Every veteran and military member of all branches of service are important and should have an opportunity to make a difference in the veteran and military communities, even those who don't ride motorcycles for whatever reason can find a welcoming organization with the MVMA where they can belong, make a difference, and have a voice. The Founders understand the value of family and they wanted an organization where families matter and are included. They know from experience how important family support is to veterans and military members, and they know that support comes from parents, siblings, spouses, and children. They also recognize that family members often want to, and enjoy to, be a part of the activities their veteran and/or military family member(s) are involved in, the Founders experience this first hand with their own families! They wanted an organization that was far more inclusive of family, welcoming not just spouses but parents, siblings, children and even grandchildren who want to be involved, and where each member and their families would feel welcome and included. Thus the idea of the Military Veterans Motorcycle Association was born. The founders had a vision for the MVMA, to create a fun, relaxing, welcoming organization that veterans/military members and their families will enjoy being a part of. An organization that is dedicated to “Helping Vets One Ride at a Time”, where veterans/military members could be around other veterans and military members to enjoy time together, and with their families. Where veterans can find support, where stories can be shared, laughs can be had, new friendships can be forged, other hobbies and passions in life can shared, and, at the forefront of course, share in their passion for motorcycles and riding. The founders felt that family involvement should go beyond “just showing up”. They wanted to ensure that family members could be part of the organization, have input, influence, and help make a difference in the organization and the lives of everyone involved. So the Founders decided to give family members opportunity to do just that, they decided that family members should have input at meetings (their opinions matter too!), should be allowed to help organize and be involved in fundraising efforts and at MVMA functions, and should even be allowed hold certain Officer positions. The primary focus of the MVMA is of course veterans and military members, within the Association as well as with the support efforts of programs and services for those outside the Association. But, they realize that family is a major part of that support, and it should be both internal to the Association, as well as outside the Association, that’s why the Founders felt it imperative to allow family to be included with the Associations internal functions. The Founders considered a lot of things when planning and organizing the MVMA. In the end they wanted to make certain that the organization they founded would be one where members, and their families, can find a welcoming atmosphere, where they can develop friendships, share in comradery, be free from discrimination, be treated with respect and dignity, and do so with others who share similar ideals, and who all have a passion for motorcycles and riding. The Founders also placed a very high priority in supporting veteran and military services and programs by giving back to those who have and are serving in the Armed Forces in whatever way(s) possible. They wanted to make sure that the organization is surrounded by motivated passionate people who would make sure the MVMA was always actively helping the veteran and military communities by supporting programs and services however it can. Be it through fundraising efforts to raise money to donate to veteran and military programs and services, or by “putting boots on the ground” and going out and being “hands on” in the communities. Doing things like: offering assistance to other veteran support organizations, visiting Veteran’s Retirement Homes, conducting honor ceremonies, spearheading food and supply drives to send “care packages” to deployed military personnel, organizing rides and functions to raise public awareness to veteran/military programs and services and encouraging the public to support our veterans/military, and the list goes on. 

The MVMA is all that and more, and it’s here for you to be a part of! Encourage your family members to be a part of the MVMA, be it through becoming Reserve Members, or just by accompanying and supporting you, and others, when attending meetings, rides, and/or other MVMA events. Now, LET’S GET GOIN, let’s have some fun, make some AWESOME MEMORIES, and make a few new friends along the way…..and most certainly LET’S PUT A TON OF MILES ON THOSE BIKES, after all they’re made for riding, not sitting in a garage, wouldn’t you agree! So don’t wait anymore, COME ON IN, we’ve got some people for you to meet! All we're missing is YOU, and we guarantee you won’t regret becoming part of the MVMA family!!!!