SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – For the past 20 years, Dennis Bohm has logged a lot of miles, driving fellow Shawano area veterans to VA medical centers, like the one in Milwaukee.
More than 237,000 miles, to be somewhat precise.
“Actually, they’re higher than that even,” said Bohm.
The 85-year-old U.S. Marine Corp. veteran made his final trip Wednesday, having taken more than 2,430 veterans to their medical appointments as a volunteer driver for Disabled American Veterans.
“I wish I would have kept a diary,” said Bohm. “I did have one when I first started from World War I. I had veterans from World War II and I had veterans from the Korean War. After they get to know you, they go and tell you things that they haven’t even told their own family. You’re like a family with them.”
Bohm’s service totals more than 8,400 hours, which comes out to about one full year.
“I wanted to have it all down so when I’m laying, looking up like this, that my family can say, ‘That’s what grandpa was doing all his life,’” said Bohm.
Pulling in for a final time in Shawano after the more than four-hour round-trip trek, Bohm was greeted by his wife and a handful of colleagues.
“Dennis is unique because he always took the trip to Milwaukee,” said Kyle Newkirk, volunteer services coordinator for the VA system in Northeast Wisconsin. “This is the farthest trip that we have in our DAV transportation program throughout our VA facilities in Northeast Wisconsin. He was always our go to.”
You can tell Bohm might not be fully ready to give up his gig, but admits he knows it is time.
“I will tell you the truth, I would do it longer, but I can notice the age,” said Bohm. “Driving, you have to be a racecar driver sometimes going down to Milwaukee. I can tell you that. I’ve seen some pretty bad accidents in the last three years. I’ve been lucky and I haven’t had any problems and I really enjoy doing it.”
Bohm says he still plans to volunteer with various other veterans’ programs in Shawano. And he says he is probably available for a trip or two if needed, as long as his wife lets him.
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