GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A ride to a doctor’s appointment might seem like a simple task to some, but for many Northeast Wisconsin veterans it could mean some serious coordination.
In Green Bay, the Disabled American Veterans non-profit organization has been helping to relieve that added stress at no cost for veterans.
Harry Morgan served in the US Air Force. Now, he suffers from Alzheimer’s and gets around with the help of his daughter.
Morgan lost his driver’s license, and like many other veterans, depends on a ride service through the DAV, to get him to and from the Veterans Affairs hospital.
“It’s terrific. I wish I could do it all the time So yeah, people need people,” said Morgan.
Dave Olson is a retired veteran who volunteers with the DAV as a driver every Wednesday.
He listens to passengers like Morgan talk about their pre- and post- service life around Green Bay.
“That’s what I enjoy so much about this job: These guys really have great stories,” said Olson.
Olson says every ride is different, but the reaction from veterans is the same.
“The veterans thank me many times over,” said Olson.
“We think that we play a big role by providing this service,” said Dick Marbes, a volunteer and hospital service coordinator with the DAV.
He says prior to the pandemic, it provided more than 4,200 rides out of the Green Bay VA clinic annually.
Now, the number is around 2,000.
“A lot of veterans and elderly. There are a lot of younger ones that are working, there are a lot of reasons to take advantage of our program,” said Marbes.
Many vets wouldn’t have a ride to and from their VA hospital appointments in Northeast Wisconsin without the DAV ride service.
Marbes says 28 people volunteer to drive in Green Bay, but only eight are doing routes during the pandemic.
“We haven’t had to back out, back away from the program in any way, we’ve been able to keep our services right up there with demand,” said Marbes.
“It’s so rewarding and I enjoy it and I look forward to it on my Wednesdays every week,” said Olson.
Olson says it doesn’t matter if you’ve served in the military or not, taking a few hours out of your week to help out a veteran can make a huge difference, especially for people like Morgan.
To learn more about the DAV, or how you can volunteer to give rides in your community, click here.
Comments