DAV Chapter 24 Donates shuttle to Marion VA Health Care System

“This is a game changer. Our Veterans can now be picked up with comfort and warmth,” shared VA Red Coat Ambassador, Donnie Houghland.

Thanks to the Forget Me Not Chapter 24 of the Disabled American Veterans, our Veterans will be able to keep warm while travelling from their parking spot in the lot to any of the buildings which they may have an appointment.

This new addition to our fleet of parking lot shuttles comes at a crucial time for our Veterans. Our previous vehicles were not enclosed nor equipped with heat, and consequently, not suitable to utilize in cold, wet weather. However, our newest addition comes with all the needed features and more and provides ease of access for many of our Veterans who may struggle with mobility issues.

“Not having had an appropriate vehicle for our Park & Ride Shuttle Service, it has been a challenge to maintain enough volunteer drivers to transport our Veterans from the parking lot, particularly during cold winter months. Many of our volunteer drivers were unable to withstand the impact of winter weather during their four-hour shifts. With the addition of this new shuttle and all its features, we are very pleased to see the increased number of volunteer drivers, and most importantly, the increased service to our Veterans! It has been well-received by our Veterans who have repeatedly shared how appreciative they are of the “sharp” new shuttle. And THAT is what we were hoping to hear,” shared Maria Buehler, Voluntary Service Chief, Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE).

Commander Howard Bateman from the DAV said the DAV is honored to do this for our Veterans because “most of us feel like we owe the ones that came after us, a better chance,” referring to recently discharged Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and Iraq Veterans.

“When we heard from one of our Veterans, Donnie Houghland, about the need, we knew we had to act. We have previously helped the Marion VA in the past, purchasing three DAV vans on the road to help our Veterans get to their appointments,” adds Commander Bateman.

Now, Donnie, working as a Red Coat Ambassador, welcoming Veterans as they enter the main facility, sees this vehicle used on a daily basis. He even helps out with driving and picking up Veterans when needed.

“The shuttle has heat and back up camera as well as all the bells and whistles,” stated Donnie Houghland. The vehicle is extremely quiet and modernized, and it can fit up to five Veterans at once. It provides heat during the winter, and a fan for the summer. It’s classified as a golf cart, but still street legal and usable on the main roads, if needed.

The Marion VA Health Care System sends a genuine THANK YOU to the Forget Me Not Chapter 24 of the DAV. They continually support us in helping our Veterans and have done so for decades.

The active DAV Chapter 24 has also helped served the Anna State Veterans Home, by providing two of the hand powered bicycles for Veterans with Spinal Cord Injuries, as well as assisting with rehab operations Jefferson Barracks.