Drivers of the DAV van are (front, from left) Christopher Stearns of St. Ignace, van coordinator Billie Clark of Moran; (back) John McKinnon of St. Ignace, Wayne Harding of Rudyard, Gino Giordani of Moran, Dewey Lopes of Cedarville, Disabled American Veterans Department of Michigan Third Junior Vice Commander Garry Henshaw of Marquette, and potential driver David Laksonnen of St. Ignace. (Photograph courtesy of Billie Clark) Disabled American Veterans Straits Chapter 93 of St. Ignace is seeking to replace the van used to transport local veterans to medical appointments. The chapter is planning a fish fry fundraiser Saturday, October 25, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the LaSalle High School cafeteria in St. Ignace.

The cost of the all-you-caneat meal will be by donation.

Straits Chapter 93 is part of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Nationwide Transportation Network. This service provides free rides to any veterans in need of transportation to doctor or hospital appointments. The van, based in St. Ignace, transports veterans to Iron Mountain Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Traveling to Iron Mountain from eastern Mackinac County and other communities such as DeTour, Pickford, and those east of the Straits of Mackinac, has been challenged by rising fuel costs, reported Billie Clark, van coordinator. It is 396 miles round trip from St. Ignace to Iron Mountain.

Since the inception of the St. Ignace program in August 2006, more than 120,000 miles have been logged. The drivers, all of whom are volunteers, have put in more than 3,500 hours.

Members of the Feneley- McNeil-Nesbit American Legion Post 290 of Engadine will be partnering with the DAV Chapter for the fundraiser.