The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association announces the 6th annual benefit rally “Burgers, Bikes & Rods” to support Kieve's Veterans Camp on Saturday, July 23.  The ride begins at L-A Harley Davidson in Lewiston, Maine and will run through Sabattus and Gardiner on Route 126 and will last approximately 1.5 hours before ending at Kieve's Wavus Campus in Jefferson just before noon. The CVMA is a group of veterans whose mission is to support veterans or their families. Members are veterans of all branches of the military who have deployed in wars ranging from, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan. The CVMA is not a motorcycle club but a tax-exempt nonprofit 501-C-19 that raises money for a number of veteran-related causes.

Over the past seven years Kieve's Veterans Camp has completed numerous incredible week-long and weekend programs for Veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Vietnam, and even a special week for women veterans only. These free Veterans Camp programs gave our Veterans a chance to relax, reflect, reconnect and have fun with their families on Damariscotta Lake and Camp Kieve’s Nobleboro campus and the Wavus campus in Jefferson as well.

During these weeks, Kieve’s Leadership School staff and volunteers brought Veteran guests a broad range of physical, creative, and healing activities such as rock climbing, snow shoeing, pottery and jewelry making, yoga, and massage.   Some activities, such as PTSD focused acupuncture, were offered specifically with Veterans in mind.  Personal services such as massage, foot reflexology, haircuts, and manicures proved to be very therapeutic as well. 

L-A Harley's owner John Story said, "I feel very strongly about all the service men and women that serve our country. They risk it all and are too soon forgotten and we should all do whatever we can to honor their service to our nation."

In addition to lakeside relaxing after the ride, there will also be a cookout with hamburgers and hot dogs at Wavus Camps on Damariscotta Lake. Kieve-Wavus Education's Executive Director said, "We are very honored to provide our week-long programs for veterans and their families to relax and re-connect with their families and are also very excited to host these Veterans at our camp after the ride".

Ride coordinator Steve Rendall said the ride will be open to anyone with a motorcycle 500cc or above.  CVMA membership is comprised of Full Members (those with verified combat service) and Supporter Members (those who have non-combat military service, and have a sincere dedication to helping veterans), and Auxiliary Members (who are spouses of Full or Support Members). Members are from all 50 states, Korea and Germany with many members still in the Armed Forces, and many serving in combat areas now. 

The riders will be welcomed by hundreds of flag waving campers from both Kieve and Wavus at the Wavus campus on Route 213 in Jefferson at approximately 11:30 a.m.

For more information visit our website at www.kieve.org/veterans and open the ride flyer. You can also contact ride coordinator Steve Rendall of the CVMA at 207-233-5845 or Kieve-Wavus at 207-563-5172.