News : Van, volunteers ready to take area veterans to VA facilities, doctors' offices

Area veterans presented the van to Benton Co. VA director Chuck James recently.

Benton County Veterans Affairs Director Chuck James received the final approval Tuesday for the veterans medical transportation program.

The county has leased a Dodge minivan for the purpose of transporting veterans to the VA Hospital in Iowa City, or other facilities offering medical care that they are eligible to receive under federal VA guidelines.

The van has been in use for several weeks. The supervisors gave their final approval after getting answers to questions about liability.

James said several volunteers -- all of them veterans-- have been driving other vets to Iowa City. Because of the high number of patients -- and the high number of committed volunteers-- Benton County was chosen for the lease program.

For only $215 per month, the county can lease the van. The federal VA will pay for gas and maintenance.

Veterans who believe they qualify should call James at 472-3150 to schedule transportation.

The area veterans who have been driving others to VA appointments include John Gualtier, Ron Geiger, Denny Miller, Paul Coyle and Don Roepke. Those veterans also represent all three veterans organizations: American Legio VFW and AMVETS.