Pledges support for soldier to civilian group.

        The veterans' organizations of our local communities provide as much as they can in the areas of fellowship and support to those who served – and are still serving – in our nation's armed forces. When an organization from outside of the community extends their hand to you because they like and appreciate what you're doing, that's when you know you're really on the right track.

        On Saturday, nine members of the Valley Forge Chapter of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA) – some coming from as far away as Sayreville and Bayonne, N. J. – traveled to Pennsburg to offer their help and support to Vets for Vets.

        The CVMA comprises about 15,000 combat veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who ride motorcycles as a hobby.  All are combat veterans and many continue to serve.   Their mission is to support and defend those who have defended our country and our freedoms.  The focus is to help veteran care facilities provide a warm meal, clothing, shelter and guidance, or simply to say "Thank you," and, "Welcome home."

        The non-profit group sponsors and participates in many motorcycle-related charity events each year and donates to various veteran care facilities and veteran charities.

        Leading the group for this trip was CVMA member Ted Daniels, a one-time officer for the Upper Perk Police Department.  Daniels is also a former resident of Red Hill, who spent two years as a student at Upper Perkiomen High School before moving on to Valley Forge Military Academy.  Daniels is a combat veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart and Combat Service Medal.

        When the opportunity arose, Daniels suggested CVMA come to Pennsburg to offer a helping hand to Vets for Vets.

        The combat veterans came to Pennsburg to meet with Jake Leone, founder and administrator of Vets for Vets, to present a donation to the organization and offer their help at future events.

        Most of the combat vets went only by their first name and a "nickname."  Sometimes that's all you need when you meet someone and appreciate their dedication and desire to help.

        It wasn't a one-time stop to deliver a check either, according to John "Cajun."

        "We want to put our minds together and our efforts together to assist Vets for Vets with community events" that help veterans, he said.

        According to Leone, Vets for Vets is currently helping four veterans transition to civilian life.  He added that "everything we do here is volunteer … 100 percent of all donations go to that mission."  He went through a list of ways the veterans volunteer at community events and stressed the positive community support given to Vets for Vets by the area businesses and people.

        "Cajun" shared with the group his knowledge of veterans who "live on the street or in shelters for the past 25 years."

        "There is no cookie-cutter approach" to helping them, he said. Transition challenges are unique for each veteran.

        After a brief tour of the Vets for Vets facility, the CVMA members vowed to designate one of their own as a liaison to Vets for Vets, and Leone invited them to attend their regular board meetings.

        Any fundraising event for Vets for Vets will be held Saturday, Sept. 24 at American Legion Post 184 in Palm.  The Horseshoe Tournament will feature food, beverage and live music – and of course, a horseshoe-throwing competition.

        It looks like a few more motorcycles will be coming down Main Street that day, on their way to support fellow veterans.

        The CVMA is another fine example of friends you always had but never knew.

        Now, we know them.

        For more information of Vets for Vets visit www.soldiertocivilian.org.  For more information on CVMA visit www.combatvet.org.