10/15/2026
🇺🇸 The History of the CVMA® Patch
The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association® (CVMA®) patch has a history rooted in the organization's evolution, its members, and the mission of bringing combat veterans together.
The original patch originated with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Club (CVMC). When established motorcycle clubs did not accept the organization, members faced challenges wearing their patch. Over time, the organization evolved from an informal club into a legally established association, and the patch evolved along with it.
An early chapter in that history involved a handshake partnership with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). The VFW Maltese Cross was temporarily placed in the center of the back patch. Eventually, the VFW did not approve a permanent partnership, and the Maltese Cross was removed. The original skull design, which remains part of the organization's identity today, was restored to the center of the patch.
On April 3, 2003, the National Bylaws were filed for trademark protection of the Full Member back patch. The trademark was officially registered on August 31, 2004. The ® symbol seen on the CVMA® patch represents that registered trademark.
As the organization grew, the patch also came to reflect the different membership categories within the association:
🇺🇸 Full Members: Combat veterans who meet the association's membership requirements.
🇺🇸 Auxiliary Members: Spouses of eligible members who support the mission.
🇺🇸 Support Members: Friends and family who stand behind the association and its purpose.
At the 2003 National Meeting, changes were made to how Support Members wore their patches. They transitioned away from wearing a large back patch and were permitted to wear a small support patch on the front of their vest. At the 2005 National Meeting, the Support category was changed to Military Without Combat, and Auxiliary and Support members were authorized to wear the 10-inch back patch. Non-military Support members continued wearing the small front patch.
At the 2007 National Meeting, Auxiliary members were moved from the Full Member rolls into their own Auxiliary rolls, reflecting their distinct membership status. The requirement for an Auxiliary member to be the legal spouse of a Full Member was also implemented, and grandfathered Support or Auxiliary members were moved to Honorary status, with no ability for new Honorary members to join.
From its early days as the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Club to the established association we know today, the patch represents more than a design. It represents a shared history, a community, and a commitment to the mission that brings combat veterans and their supporters together.
Different membership categories, one shared mission. 🇺🇸
