LYMAN "MAC" McBRAYER
Lyman "Mac" McBrayer was one of the first three CVMA members from the Hamilton, Alabama area. The opportunity to spend time with other veterans and to support veteran-oriented charities meant enough to these men that they rode over 200 miles each way to be members of the only CVMA chapter in the state of Alabama then, Chapter 28-1.
When CVMA Chapter 28-2 was organized in Huntsville, they each moved their membership to that chapter, cutting their travel distance in half. The reduced travel time made it easier to begin recruiting other combat veterans and the group from the Hamilton area began to grow. In January of 2013, CVMA Chapter 28-2 had enough members living in the western part of the state that they were authorized to form their own detachment, Detachment 28-2-1. Tragically, on December 18, 2012 -- just weeks before the Hamilton group was officially recognized as Detachment 28-2-1 -- Mac was killed in a workplace accident. The Hamilton detachment continued to grow and in October, 2013 -- just ten months after losing Mac -- Detachment 28-2-1 was officially recognized by the CVMA National Board of Directors as Chapter 28-4. In recognition of Mac's dedication to the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and his efforts to help grow the Hamilton-area contingent, the original members of Chapter 28-4 wear a patch designating them as "Mac's 15" in his honor. Rest in peace, Brother. Thank you for your service to the country, CVMA, and Chapter 28-4. |