The Rockford, Illinois Chapter of the CVMA® began its journey toward becoming an official chapter as Detachment 24-2A in 2015, with Randy “Shadow” Robinson serving as its first Commander. As membership grew and community interest expanded, Detachment 24-2A officially transitioned and rebranded as Chapter 24-6, known as the Blackhawk Valley Warriors, on May 20, 2019. The number 24 is representative of the State of Illinois, while the number 6 signifies it as the sixth chapter to form in the state.

Whit “Big Chief” Mitchell took on the vital role of our first Chapter Commander, providing essential leadership. He was succeeded by Eric "Dougie" Quail, who served as the commander during the early challenges of the pandemic; when “Dougie deployed, Ted “Blackjack” Dever stepped in as interim Commander and helped continue to grow our membership. From 2021 - 2023, Will “Tiny Tank” Davies carried the torch as the next chapter commander, further growing the chapter in membership, camaraderie, and community involvement.

Today, Chapter 24-6 owes a profound debt of gratitude to Shadow, Big Chief, Dougie, Tiny Tank, and our current commander, Daniel “Rainman” Kiesling. Their hard work and unwavering dedication laid the foundation that allows the chapter to embody its motto - Vets Helping Vets. Without their tireless efforts, the support of past and current leadership boards, and the continuous commitment from both support and auxiliary members, Chapter 24-6 would not be where it is today.

The Blackhawk Valley Warriors stand ready and fully dedicated to support our CVMA® mission and to extend our assistance to the veteran community in the Rockford area and beyond!