This month, we have the honor of celebrating something truly special. For the first time, we recognize not just one individual, but a husband and wife team who embody the spirit of our Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association® family.
Please join us in recognizing Brandon “Big Wheat” Wheaton and Lauren “Daddy” Wheaton as our April Member(s) of the Month.

Their journey is one of resilience, service, sacrifice — and above all — the kind of unbreakable bond that defines what it means to be part of the CVMA®.

Brandon’s Journey: Brotherhood, Sacrifice, and Finding Purpose

Brandon Wheaton’s path to military service came not out of long-term planning, but out of necessity and courage. After losing his job at a local paper mill, Brandon knew he needed something stable for his young family. So, in April 2010, he made the life-altering decision to enlist in the United States Army, stepping into a role as a 91B Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic.

Stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and later deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, Brandon’s mission was critical — keeping his unit’s vehicles running in some of the harshest conditions imaginable.
But for Brandon, the military gave him more than a job. It gave him family — brothers and sisters forged not by blood, but by shared sacrifice.

“The saying ‘you don’t have to be blood to be family’ really stood out during that time,” he recalls of his deployment.

Transitioning back to civilian life wasn’t easy. Though at first, it felt manageable, Brandon quickly realized how different life outside the military could be. Socializing became difficult. Stepping out of the house was a battle. For years, the only people he truly connected with were those closest to him.

That all changed when Brandon shared his story through Hogs for Heroes — a vulnerable and brave act that opened the door to the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association®.
In CVMA®, Brandon found what he’d been missing: a true family that understands the weight of service without judgment or expectation.

“Being a Full Member means that I have a family that has my six no matter what. That I finally found another purpose — to help and be part of something much greater than me.”

Whether he’s riding his 2020 Road Glide Limited — a bike that, in his words, “chose him” — or leading efforts to support fellow veterans, Brandon brings the full force of his passion to our chapter.
His favorite ride? The Veteran Suicide Awareness (VSA) Ride, a cause close to his heart after losing a dear brother and friend to suicide.

“It helps me knowing that we are trying to make a difference.”

Outside of CVMA®, Brandon loves nothing more than spending time outdoors — hunting, fishing, making memories with his children — and bringing his drive to every chapter event, always ready to step up, organize, and lead.

Lauren’s Journey: Service, Sacrifice, and Strength

Lauren Wheaton’s story is a testament to the often unseen strength of military spouses.
When Brandon lost his job and the idea of military service resurfaced, they were already married with a young son at home. Together, they made the bold decision to step into the unknown — to serve their country in different but equally powerful ways.

As Brandon served, Lauren built a life full of pride and resilience.

“All those experiences shaped me into a person with more purpose,” she shares. “Purpose to help serve our country in a different way than my husband.”

The rewards of being a military spouse were profound: pride in Brandon’s sacrifices, lifelong friendships built across every place the Army took them. But the challenges were just as real: the guilt of not being able to ease her husband’s invisible wounds, the heartbreak of missing milestones back home, and the quiet strength it takes to hold everything together.

When Brandon found his home in the CVMA®, Lauren soon realized she had a place too.
Joining the CVMA® Auxiliary gave her not just a community, but a family — a place to be fully herself, surrounded by others who understood the journey she’d walked.

Her favorite memory so far? Riding in the VSA Ride, her first experience with a large group ride — and one that filled her heart with pride and belonging.

Outside of CVMA®, Lauren serves her community working as a paraprofessional in the Appleton Area School District, while raising their two boys, Hunter and Wyatt, and wrangling their furry family members: two dogs and two cats.
Whether supporting her family or supporting her chapter, Lauren’s passion is clear: giving back to those who have given so much for our freedoms.

Her advice to anyone thinking about joining the Auxiliary?

“DO IT! It’s been one of the best experiences.”

Together: A Bond Built on Service, Support, and the Open Road

Brandon and Lauren don’t just share a marriage — they share a mission.
For them, being part of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association® together is a natural extension of the partnership they built through every challenge, every triumph, and every mile.

“We are each other’s people,” they say simply.
Whether it’s volunteering at events, riding together for a cause, or simply being there for one another, they live their values every single day.

Their favorite shared memory so far is the VSA Ride — a ride that, even early in their journey with the CVMA®, left a profound impact.
When asked about traditions, they laugh — no strict plans, no rigid schedules. They just hop on the bike and let the road take them where it will, together.

Brandon may be the planner, the one steering the way, but Lauren is the heart beside him — soaking in the scenery, holding on, sharing the ride.

Looking ahead, Brandon is already stepping into new leadership, preparing to head the VSA Committee next year — a powerful sign of how committed they are, not just to riding, but to the mission at the heart of the CVMA®.

Final Reflections

Brandon and Lauren Wheaton are more than members of our chapter — they are a living example of what it means to serve, to support, and to love fiercely.
Individually, they bring strength, passion, and purpose. Together, they are unstoppable — a team who lives the spirit of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association® every single day.

We are proud to honor Brandon “Big Wheat” Wheaton and Lauren “Daddy” Wheaton as our April Member(s) of the Month.
Their journey inspires us all to ride harder, serve deeper, and love louder.

Congratulations, Brandon and Lauren — your CVMA® family is proud to ride alongside you!