When an out-of-state, anti-military group picketed outside Joint Base Lewis-McChord on July 27, more than 200 military families, community members and nonprofit organizations, including the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA) and the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR), showed up to support JBLM and its Servicemembers.

"We attend events that have to do with our Soldiers," said "Woody," the sergeant at arms for CVMA Chapter 11-4. "Our mission is to show support for our troops and their service. We want to let everyone know that what happened with Vietnam veterans will never happen again."

CVMA creates and maintains connections among combat veterans from all branches of the Armed Forces, and it supports veteran organizations, raises awareness and increases donations for charitable efforts associated with veterans.

"We recently raised money to benefit veteran homes," said Woody, a 12-year veteran and active- duty Servicemember. "It receives funding, but just enough to survive and we wanted to change that."

CVMA members include those with verified combat service and active-duty Servicemembers, including those currently in combat areas, along with non-combat military service personnel and supporters dedicated to serving veterans.

"The story here today shouldn't be about protestors," said "Gunny," a 20-year Marine veteran and member of CVMA. "The story should be about our Soldiers and what they deserve. The praise, news and attention should be focused on them because what they do matters."

"I'll show up anywhere and everywhere there's an event associated with the military," said "Daylight," a CVMA member, daughter of a retired Air Force colonel and mother of an active duty son in the Marines. "That's walking the walk - supporting and honoring them every chance we get."

The PGR - a collection of nationwide riders - were also present at the DuPont event.

"(I'm here) to show support for our troops, as it's all about them and nothing else," said Jay McNabb, the West Central District Ride Captain for Washington State PGR. "It's an honor to be able to make a stand for our troops, and it makes me proud to see this many people standing for them, too."

PGR's mission is to show "unwavering respect for those who risk their lives for America's freedom and security," and its members attend services and events for fallen heroes to show respect for their families and communities.

"I'm a two-time Vietnam veteran," said McNabb, "and we had no homecoming, ribbons on bridges, or any of that when we came back. To see it change and see this support is fantastic and I love being a part of it. I'll be standing here until every last Soldier comes home."

"The whole point of being here," said Brooklyn Cowan, a co-organizer of the JBLM supporters who showed up, "is to keep the negativity away from our Soldiers. I'll do whatever it takes to do that."

For more information about CVMA visit www.combatvet.org; for PGR visit www.patriotguard.org.