The heat index was 105+ but that didn’t stop the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA) 9th annual Bull Run III motorcycle ride from Fredericksburg to Shenandoah Virginia. On Saturday July 20th 2019 around 200 motorcycles made the 2-hour journey from Old Dominion Harley Davidson 5224 Jefferson Davis highway, Fredericksburg, VA to Shenandoah’s VFW Post 8613. The processions of motorcycles were escorted thru town by Shenandoah Volunteer Fire Department Engine 703. Law Enforcement Officers from Shenandoah & Elkton Police Departments, and Page County Sheriff’s Department were set up and controlled traffic at intersections along with volunteers from CVMA. McGaheysville Fire Company 80 Tank 80 and Luray Fire Department Company 1 Tower 1 was on site to hoist the giant American flag, but had to take it down due to the high winds blowing the large flag into the power lines. VFW Post 8613 members welcomed the Combat Vets and Community residents greeted the motorcycles as they rode past and some even waved flags.
To view all pictures we took of this event please visit this link:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgeVZ3gFdb-oxFM9X0hXbXTY8vCR?e=as6MG7
Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Northern Virginia Chapter 27-2 was the principal lead for this benefit ride. Chapter 27-2 is a 501(c)19 non-profit and raise funds of which 100% directly benefit the Virginia Veterans and Family Support under the Virginia Department of Veterans Affairs. The motto of the CVMA is Vets helping Vets. In the past eight years CVMA Chapter 27-2 has been able to raise and donate over $167,000. Their efforts concentrate on fighting Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury both of which continue to negatively affect our treasured Veterans and Bull Run III is Chapter 27-2's premier benefit event supporting that fight.
The History of Bull Run
The First Battle of Bull Run, (21 July 1861), was the first major battle of the American Civil War (1861-65), fought at a small meandering stream and tributary of the Potomac River named Bull Run near Manassas in northern Virginia. It was a chaotic encounter fought by volunteers short of training and organization and haphazardly equipped.
The Second Battle of Bull Run, (29-30 August 1862), took place between a newly formed Federal force of 70,000 troops under Major General John Pope and a Confederate army of more than 56,000 men under General Robert E. Lee.
Bull Run III, The other Civil War, is the new battle is being fought for our service members and their families. This battle deals with the challenges our armed service members face as a result of their service and sacrifice in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. These conflicts have seen military personnel exposed to multiple IEDs blasts. While Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), has been a long-recognized condition, repeated blast exposure can result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). And even though penetrating brain injuries are easily identified, a closed TBI is more common and, can go unnoticed. TBI is the most common injury among those wounded and is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity. A TBI can go undetected until the service member returns home and can no longer function as he or she did before deployment. A concern for troops, veterans, and their family members is that substantial long-term effects have been associated with these conditions.
The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Northern Virginia, Chapter 27-2, are veterans helping veterans. These brave men and women have laid their lives on the line to maintain our freedom and now we believe it is our turn to help them and their families deal with the issues of PTSD and TBI here in Virginia.
All proceeds from the Bull Run III event are donated to the Virginia Veteran & Family Support Program.
The Program focuses on traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorders and operates in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services and the Virginia Department of Rehabilitation Services.
The CVMA Emblem
Red representing the blood that has been shed on the battlefield.
Military Gold represents all branches of the military services of the United States.
Black representing the heavy heart possessed for those who gave their lives; and for those who are considered missing in action or prisoners of war.
The Skull and Ace represents the death that war leaves in its wake.
To view all pictures we took of this event please visit this link:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgeVZ3gFdb-oxFM9X0hXbXTY8vCR?e=as6MG7
Please post and share. Photographs curiosity Amos Thomas unless indicated otherwise under the photograph.
Higher resolution images can be provided upon request.
The Staples family was among some Shenandoah citizens that were out to greet the Combat Vets as they went by. In this photo Jackie gets a good shot of her kids; Jaylin, Jeffery and Jaxon taking pictures of the motorcycles as they drove by, while Justin waves the American Flag.
Jeffery Staples took this photograph.
Jaylin Staples took this photograph.
Jaxon Staples took this photograph.
In the Book Shenandoah The Thomas Family Collection, there are pictures of past Bull Run III events and tons of pictures from other veteran occasions that have taken place in the town of Shenandoah.
