For the first time since March 2020, the Veterans Service Office is transporting veterans to medical appointments.
The vans leave from the South Boulevard County Building or pick up veterans from their homes and take them to Veterans Affairs hospitals or clinics in Indianapolis, West Lafayette and Danville, Illinois.
Montgomery County’s Disabled American Veterans chapter purchased the vehicles to replace a 15-year-old transport van, Ron Compton, DAV commander, said. DAV raised $36,000 in November 2019 to buy the vans.
About a third of the county’s approximately 2,500 veterans go to VA hospitals for medical care. One of the people who rely on the vans is 63-year-old Brad Cope.
Cope has participated in the program since 1988 and while now he only uses the service a couple times a year, he has had to ride a van as frequently as once a week.
“Guys like myself are not able to drive because of our disabilities,” Cope said. “It’s a good place for vets, and I’m thankful we have such a program.”
After losing all of its volunteer drivers during the pandemic, the program is looking for more drivers. Currently, there is only one driver, but normally there are at least four, Ellis said.
To apply, drivers must be between the ages of 21 and 75, get a blood draw and security check from the VA and have a valid drivers license. The hours are flexible and drivers would only be needed a few times a month.
If interested, call Ellis at 765-361-4133 Monday through Thursday.
