The Hero’s Bridge Battle Buddy Call Center celebrated its first anniversary serving veterans nationwide on June 1. Since then, it has received 400 calls from veterans throughout the United States.
When a call is received, the Call Center Coordinator moves into action, scouring the veteran’s locality for services to satisfy their needs. Many times, calls lead nowhere, and more calls are made. Other times, an invaluable connection is made. The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA) ® is one such connection. Three times over the past year, they have helped Hero’s Bridge aging veterans with an urgent need.
The mission of the CVMA® is to support and defend those who have defended their country and their freedoms. A mission closely aligned with the Hero’s Bridge mission.
With members nationwide, CVMA® refers to itself as the “muscle” and can help veterans in need anywhere in the country. “We see the future when we look at our older veterans,” said VA 27-10 Chapter Commander Rick Haylor. “This will be us one day. If we don’t help these guys now, there may not be anyone to help us when we need it.”
Laura, an Air Force veteran, and her husband, Geoff, an Army veteran, are both members of CVMA®. They host a weekly radio show called The Veterans Show, which just celebrated its first anniversary, and use the show to promote the Hero’s Bridge Battle Buddy Call Center at the top of every show.
Over the past year, the members of CVMA® have stepped in to help Hero’s Bridge more than once. Last July, 67-year-old Army Veteran Larry Kelly from Triangle, VA called the Hero’s Bridge call center. After several months of calls, our Call Center Coordinator connected with the Chapter Commander, Eric “Desert Fox” Rummel, with CVMA® Chapter VA 27-2, who assembled a small group of volunteers to help with the job.
This past April, volunteers met at Larry’s property to clean the yard. Larry’s friend spent the spring deciding which flowers she wanted to plant.
Larry thanked CVMA® and Hero’s Bridge in a kind email, stating:
“Going back over the past three years, I underwent major heart surgery, and a lot of things were not taken care of, due to my physical limitations. Especially the yard work. We were referred to your organization by Vanessa Frost with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Manassas Virginia. From that day forward we received unbelievable support and coordination from Hero’s Bridge and Vanessa Frost to assist in helping me with a major yard cleanup.
Prior to the day Hero’s Bridge came out, I was stressed and worried as to how I could get some help. Thanks to all of you, I am now sitting in my yard with no worries or stress. I cannot express enough how my spirits have been lifted by the brotherhood of Hero’s Bridge.”
Elsewhere in Virginia, World War II veteran Jack Einstein also reached out to the call center for help maintaining his yard. The veteran will celebrate his 100th birthday next month and is simply unable to keep up with his yard. Some of the tasks include power washing, fence board replacement, and other small chores. With children in their 70s, he relies on his grandchildren, who are often busy with work and families but do help occasionally.
In March 2024, just one month after connecting with members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association®, a team of volunteers visited Jack to get the work done.
Meanwhile, 78-year-old Vietnam Army veteran Clifford Timchak was having vision issues as a result of macular degeneration. Unable to drive, he needed a ride to an eye doctor’s appointment and was struggling to find one. Yet again, members from the CVMA® stepped up to bring Clifford to his appointment.
Hero’s Bridge is grateful to the members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association® who have stepped forward and put their mission into action, helping our elderly heroes.
Call 866-OLD-VETS for help.