Volunteers Honored for Helping Local Veterans
Free Transportation Available for Veterans' Medical Appointments
By Ellen Paquin

Covering the miles between the Eastern Upper Peninsula and the Veterans Administration Hospital in Iron Mountain, as often as six days a week, is a red, white, and blue van taking local veterans to the hospital for medical appointments. Behind the wheel are volunteers from St. Ignace, Cedarville, Trout Lake, and Moran who give their time to transport patients on demand. Some days, only one patient takes the 200-mile trip, while at other times, the van has carried up to seven patients at once, said Billie Clark of Moran, the program's coordinator.

Six vans are in use across the Upper Peninsula to help veterans reach their doctors, and the St. Ignace-based vehicle is the newest in the program. It made its first run in July 2006.

"The van ran all five days this week" and racked up 700 miles just on Thursday, Mrs. Clark told The St. Ignace News May 18. Drivers travel to Iron Mountain and back in one day at no cost to the passengers. Veterans needing a ride to hospital appointments simply call Mrs. Clark, and arrangements are made to pick up the patient at the business nearest his or her home. Passengers need not be members of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), which coordinates the service, or any veterans group.

"We've picked up at the St. Ignace Truck Stop, Evangelical Free Church, and the old Marathon gas station in St. Ignace," she said. "We try to find a convenient place, although the Veterans Administration does not allow us to pick veterans up at their homes."

If authorized by the attending physician, a patient may be accompanied on the trip by one personal caregiver.

Ten volunteers who have contributed time to the program in its inaugural year were honored for their service at an April 27 dinner in St. Ignace. They are Ron Dahms, John McKinnon, John Monville, Rick Litzner, and Joe Thibault, all of St. Ignace, Gino Giordani and Teri Matteson, both of Moran, Dougald Beaudoin of Trout Lake, Dewey Lopes of Cedarville, and Mrs. Clark. Two new volunteers were inspired to join the effort that day, Christopher Stearns of St. Ignace and Jim Ramelis of Gould City.

"We are always looking for volunteer drivers," Mrs. Clark said. "They can drive as much or as little as they want. They just need a valid drivers license, a short orientation course, and a required physical exam, which is paid for by the DAV.

"There is absolutely no cost to use this service. The drivers are not allowed to accept tips, and passengers can't even buy them lunch."

The van, donated by Ford Motor Company to the DAV and now owned by the Iron Mountain hospital, is stored at the Michigan State Police post in St. Ignace when not in use. The donated vehicle comes with the stipulation that the local DAV chapter must pay to maintain it, and must raise funds locally to replace it when the need arises. The chapter will soon begin fundraising efforts toward the cost of a new van, Mrs. Clark said.

"We must purchase the next van ourselves," she said. "If people see it in their hearts to do it, they could donate to the DAV and earmark it for raising funds for the van."

To arrange a ride to the veterans hospital, to learn more about becoming a volunteer driver, or to make a donation toward the program, call Mrs. Clark at 643-9369.