Combat Veteran’s Motorcycle Association recent activities…..

Operation Stand Down 2007

Over the weekend of 21-23 September, RI Cha 9-1 provided round the clock assistance at the 14^th annual Operation Stand Down.  This event provided RI’s homeless and at risk veterans an opportunity to seek food, shelter and services that they might not normally have access to.

Situated at Diamond Hill Park , an old ski resort, coordinators gathered brand new military GP medium tents, a field kitchen, etc to house the male and female vets over the weekend.  Various local charity organizations donated food, clothing and assistance to the event.  Vets had access to everything from VA counselors to housing coordinators to drug abuse intervention.  Even a free massage! 

Entertainment was provided throughout the weekend, ranging from Karaoke and a live band to a first rate magic show.  Evening card games were popular, just like “back then”.  The weather was perfect.  Many veterans were able to seek services there – they number over 100.

The RI CVMA was asked to provide security for the event, and general assistance, which we did from the Thursday prior right up to the end.  Al, Don, Chuck, Popeye, Rick, Larry, Brian, Peter, Steve (I apologize if I left anyone out..) many of them staying for the entire weekend.  Wives also stopped by to show support.  Some of our membership was also able to support the 2^nd Annual American Soldiers Run, which took place Saturday, then come back to OSD.  Members of the PGR and CMA also assisted.

This was the Chapter’s first opportunity to assist with this event.  The organizers and participants appreciated our efforts, and plan to ask us back next year.  This was a definitive example of Veterans helping Veterans, as we all know it doesn’t take much to end up on that side of the fence.

Any Veteran with a documented deployment to a combat zone, and who rides a motorcycle 500cc or larger is invited to join.  Info is contained at our national and state websites:

Our next scheduled monthly meeting will be 11:00 AM, 7 October at the North Main St Armory, Providence .

http://combatvet.org/

http://ri.combatvet.org/

Respectfully submitted,

JAGER