Columbus Vietnam Veteran got last wish to ride "on Sunday, a group of riders made his dream possible"

Motorcycle clubs come together to offer Vietnam vet one last ride

NBC 4 News
by: Danielle Avitable
Posted: Feb 23, 2020

COLUMBUS (WCMH) — A local Vietnam veteran had one last wish while in hospice care, and that was to ride a motorcycle one more time.

On Sunday, a group of riders made his dream possible.

Vietnam veteran Roger L. Smith was wheeled out of the house, surrounded by loved ones and riders. 

“I said I want to get on a bike at least one time before I die,” said Smith. And that’s what he got. “He requested a last ride and, for us, it’s veterans helping veterans,” said Steve Murray of Combat Veterans Motorcycle Club.

In addition to Combat Veteran, other groups taking part in the ride included Ohio Patriot Bikers and Punishers Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club. Smith’s health has been declining over the last three weeks. read it here

Good story on support turned into a bad dream

Good cause, bad reporting

Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
February 17, 2019

This morning, I opened my email and saw something that I knew I had to read. It has veterans and motorcycles in it. 

I am reading how Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association donated a huge check to help veterans in Virginia, thinking what a great thing to do...but that thought went poof soon afterwards.

I had to read something like this,"Most issues stem from combat in recent conflicts." Bet the reporter still uses "22" as if that is supposed to mean anything.

Isn't it bad enough that after all this time few have learned the lessons Vietnam veterans fought so hard to provide? Have we sunk so low that it has become acceptable to forget all about them or the other generations who came home with the same wounds? Safe bet they do not even know that the majority of veterans in this country are over the age of 50...as well as being the majority of the veterans committing suicide.

So what started out as thinking a great story was in front of my eyes, it is just another bad dream. I may just go back to bed!

Veterans' motorcycle club raises awareness, funds for veterans' support
Fredericksburg.com
February 16, 2019

Members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 27–2 presented Carlos Hopkins, Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, and members of Virginia’s Veterans Services Foundation with a donation in the amount of $20,000. The Veterans Services Foundation directly funds the Virginia Veteran and Family Support program, which supports veterans by providing resources and access to behavioral health, rehabilitative, supportive services, and veteran care centers.

Funds are raised each July at the chapter’s annual Bull Run III motorcycle event, an 80-mile ride through picturesque Virginia. The first two battles of Bull Run took place on the Manassas battlefield during the Civil War; however, a civil war continues to be fought. Bull Run III was organized to bring awareness to the battle still being waged by veterans as they encounter debilitating issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and veteran suicide which continue to bring death, casualties and missing men. Most issues stem from combat in recent conflicts.
read more here

Vietnam Veteran Got Surprise Visit from Combat Vets Association

Upstate veterans association surprises fellow vet in hospice with motorcycle rev up
FOX Carolina
By Ashley Minell
Updated: Jul 20, 2018

"In my opinion, God puts certain people in place at the right moment. And I see Matthew Dordal and the association and all the people that showed up that night as that," said Dordal.

GREER, SC (FOX Carolina)
On July 17, 68-year-old Vietnam veteran and motorcycle lover, Jerry Palmer, got the surprise of a lifetime.

"My husband tried to explain that they were coming for him and he didn't believe it until we saw... Jerry started crying. My husband was there and choking them back as well. We all felt the chill," said Joyce Tebault, Jerry's friend.

The people on the bikes felt it too.

"When you see the emotional connection Jerry had with motorcycles and hearing them roll up and us being fellow veterans. It was emotional for all of us," said Matthew Dordal, Chapter Commander of Combat Vets Association.
read more here

FOX Carolina 21

Local Vietnam veteran honored with final ride to Florence National Cemetery
WMBF NBC News
Holly DeLoache
Friday, February 16th 2018

CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - The life of a local Vietnam veteran was honored Friday - on his final ride to Florence National Cemetery.

Sheldon Shepherd served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He’s described as an outdoorsman and animal lover.

He passed away in his Conway home last month and was escorted by friends, family, and the Combat Veteran's Motorcycle Association on Friday

Shepherd received a purple heart and two bronze stars for valor.

"He never talked about it much, never bragged about it,” said Richard Caruso, who said he considered Shepherd to be like a brother.

"A tough guy. He wouldn't take any mess but he had a heart of gold. He'd give you the shirt off his back,” he continued.
read more here

Vietnam Veteran Built Missile In Backyard

A missile in his backyard: Vietnam veteran in Medford builds replica of MIM-23 Hawk 
Veteran will showcase replica of MIM-23 Hawk in Pear Blossom Parade
Mail Tribune
By Nick Morgan
Posted Apr. 8, 2015

"Homeland Security knows about it," Bloom said.

Ron Bloom of Medford will premiere his replica Hawk missile at the Pear Blossom Parade Saturday.
Mail Tribune / Jamie Lusch

When Ron Bloom of Medford approached fellow members of Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association about premiering his replica missile at the Pear Blossom Parade, they had a difficult time wrapping their minds around just what Bloom had built.

"It's much bigger than we thought," said Mike Halverson, the Oregon state representative of CVMA, as he stared up at the replica Vietnam-era MIM-23 Hawk missile in Bloom's backyard, along with about 10 local members.

Halverson rode his motorcycle from Marion to see the replica in person.

"It's built to scale — 16 feet, 8 inches long," Bloom said. "Young or old, they love to look at it."
read more here