Wind works its way through your clothes when on a motorcycle. Up your jeans, between the sleeves of your shirt and through your hair. The feeling can be addicting, thrilling, and therapeutic for members of the Combat Veterans Motorcyclist Association.
Wind therapy is what they call it.
The organization’s purpose is to support veterans and provide assistance through charities and organizations. But on bike nights in Ohio’s 12-1 chapter, it’s about being together.
On three Thursdays and one Wednesday of each month, the CVMA 12-1 chapter hosts “bike nights” organized by Rodney Reed, road name “Hot Rod,” who has been a member since 2020. His job as Road Captain of the chapter requires him to pick the new location each time and plan the event.
On July 10, 14 members came together at Dougie’s Sports Bar in Pataskala. There was no shortage of storytelling and laughter over beer and water, although a handful of members were bummed that the bar was out of their go-to iced tea.
The CVMA is not a club: It is an association of roughly 90% combat veterans and 10% veterans who were not in combat. Only veterans who have a hobby riding a motorcycle can apply for membership.
In May 2001, 45 people formed CVMA’s original chapter 1-1, based in Georgetown, Kentucky. In 2006, CVMA was brought to Ohio, chapter 12-1.
“Our association is just a group of people that have a common interest in riding motorcycles and being veterans,” said CVMA Chaplin Glen Hammond, road name “Sapper.”
Hammond served two tours as a brigadier general in Iraq. Before and after that, he was a cattle farmer until he sold the farm in 2024. He preferred raising Texas Longhorn cattle over Black Angus because “they have more spirit,” he said.
CVMA chapters raise money, ride and build community, but not all CVMA members are veterans. The association also allows spouses as auxiliary members of the association.
Diane Atwood, road name “Sunny D,” is the leader of the Auxiliary for Chapter 12-1. She told The Reporting Project that the auxiliary raised about $300,000 last year for a scholarship fund to support CVMA members and their families.
“We’re like one huge family, so if you need something – if you’re traveling and having trouble with your bike – you just have to put it out there, and you’ve got somebody helping you right away,” Atwood said.
“More help than you probably want sometimes,” added Hammond, as the two of them laughed about it.
“It’s just great camaraderie and support,” said Reed.
Each year,a national event brings all of the chapters together. This year it was held in Athens, Georgia. A group of members from 12-1 rode there, and “it was 90-plus degrees riding every day,” said Reed.
Along the way, they rode an 11-mile stretch that is known as the Dragon’s Tail – a famous motorcycle ride because of its 318 curves. “It’s an adventure, and challenging,” Reed said. “You’re pushing your limit to see how fast you can go and do it.”
“You’d be holding on really tight,” said auxiliary member Terry Weller, road name “T.”
“We forgot to tell you a prerequisite: We have to be crazy,” said Reed.
Katie Nader writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.