We are a club of former or current combat veterans who enjoy motorcycling. Membership in Combat Veterans USA Motorcycle Legion is by request from a prospective member or by invitation from a current member.
We strive to promote a positive experience for motorcycling. As such, we expect members to be good citizens.
The guiding principle of Combat Veterans USA Motorcycle Legion can be traced to centuries Before the Common Era to Confucius’ treatise, the Analects: “What I do not want others to do to me, I have no desire to do to others.” In part XXII of the same treatise, Confucius restated his directive, “Do not do to others what you would not like yourself.”
Careful readers will note the difference in Confucius’ edict and the “Do unto others” wording of the Bible. Like Confucius and unlike Christians, Legionnaires do not evangelize or proselytize. We live our code and our lives and do not interfere or attempt to alter beliefs or behavior of others who may follow a different path. At the same time, we do not allow the beliefs or behavior of others to deter us from our path.
We believe that courage is accepting that our own view may be but one legitimate view among many, that there are no easy answers, and that being true to our own selves is a more meaningful and gracious existence than any other option.
We act with integrity. We treat each other with fairness and respect. This is especially important to our brothers. We avoid any speech or any action which might be harmful to members of our community of bikers. We strive to extend this to society at large.
Honesty, loyalty and respect are thus critical elements of membership in Combat Veterans USA. We respect another's property, choices and lives; we put our brothers’ family and friends' needs before our own. We tell the truth to fellow members. Our word is bond.
Members hold to the oath and values we accepted as members of the Armed Forces: to protect the Constitution and respect and defend our country. Those values are as meaningful to us today as the day we took our oath. We do not pledge allegiance to a person, but to the country and its Constitution.
We believe in the rule of law, not the rule of man. Members of Combat Veterans USA support democracy against all forms of authoritarianism.
THE MILITARY OATH
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
We avoid overt patriotic postering and let our actions speak for themselves. To that end we avoid wearing clothing patterned on the U.S. flag. Clothing with respectful images of the flag may be worn if done respectfully.
Patriotism is, fundamentally, a conviction that a particular country is the best in the world because you were born in it.*
We do not advocate on behalf of any political party or political beliefs. We do not advocate on behalf of any religious belief.
We strive to keep ourselves as physically and mentally fit as our age and circumstances will allow.
Excuses are unacceptable in any circumstance. Whining, complaining and a negative attitude are detrimental to the cohesion and unity of any group. Avoid them.
We act always in ways that foster respect, that grow and strengthen our Legion. Anything less will not be tolerated among our membership.
It is an honor to wear the patch of Combat Veterans USA. Members are expected to conduct themselves in ways that reflect that reality.
Individual members of Combat Veterans USA do not accept donations from civilians; if a civilian offers to pay for your meal, coffee, or anything else, politely decline with something like, “Thank you, but it is against our club rules.” You might then recommend one of the veterans’ charities listed here.
We encourage questions and suggestions.
You can reach us at admin@combatvetsusa.org
* George Bernard Shaw