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County debuts new veterans van

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WAYNESBURG – The Greene County Veterans Affairs office recently debuted a brand-new van to help transport local veterans to medical appointments.

Earlier this month, the office was able to purchase a 2014 Ford E-350 XL wagon for $30,300, with the Greene County Commissioners and the Disabled American Veterans of Pennsylvania each picking up half of the cost. The new vehicle replaces the previous van, which, while only four years old, racked up more than 150,000 miles transporting Greene County veterans.

“We appreciate the graciousness of our commissioners and the DAV for doing this for our veterans,” said Dalene Watson, veterans affairs director. “They are deeply appreciative because they use this van on a daily basis.”

The veterans transportation program runs Monday through Thursday transporting patients on select days to the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System clinic and a VA outpatient clinic in Washington. The Greene County Veterans Affairs office schedules transportation for the veterans who call, and riders are picked up no later than 7:30 a.m. from the Burger King parking lot in Waynesburg. The program is provided at no cost to the veterans.

Van driver Bill Czmiel of Wind Ridge – who is starting his sixth year with the program – waits for the veterans to finish their appointments before bringing them back to the Burger King parking lot.

The new van comfortably seats 13 passengers, although it is not wheelchair-accessible. Aides are allowed to accompany passengers when space is available.

Watson said that her office is also looking for a substitute van driver to help fill in when needed for Czmiel, the program’s only driver. Applicants must meet several requirements, including passing a physical exam.

For more information, or to schedule a medical trip, call the Greene County Veterans Affairs office at 724-852-5275.

The veterans affairs office also recently announced that the van will not be running Nov. 5-7 and Nov. 10-14.

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