Local veterans are getting a helping hand from the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and All Points Transit, which have partnered to provide Delta and Montrose area veterans reliable transportation to medical appointments.

The organizations work together to coordinate rides for veterans who have scheduled medical appointments at the Grand Junction VA Med- ical Center, the VA Montrose Clinic and other medical facilities through- out the region. All Points Transit can transport veterans to designated pick- up points when necessary. Riders are then transferred to the DAV van and taken to their appointments.

David Redman, 65, has been using the service since it started.

“Some people have limited resources or ability to drive,” Redman said.

Plus, “I never trusted my car to travel over 10 miles in any direction.”

The program was put in place after many veterans were unable to make their appointments due to transportation issues.

“Their health was suffering,” DAV Administrative Assistant Richard Teramino said. “Local DAV chapters wanted to help them with that and help them get to their medical appointments.”

The DAV conducted fundraisers for the program and received a vehicle, which was then donated to the VA.

“The VA provides maintenance and gas for the van, while the local DAV chapter in Montrose provides volunteer drivers for it,” Teramino said.

Locals who use the van have ex- pressed gratitude for the service.

Paul Bauer, 79, has ridden on the van just once so far, but was grateful for how it helped him.

“I think it's important because some of us can no longer drive,” he said. “It got me where I had to be for medical treatment.”

The importance of the program cannot be understated.

“So many people are without transportation,” All Points Transit Executive Director Sarah Curtis said. “It's always amazing to me how many people call to sign up for service and when we ask them who their emergency contact is, they say that they 'don't have anybody.' Without the DAV van, they would be unable to remain at home and many might go to a nursing home.”

Curtis hopes to spread the word about this service so more veterans will be able to get the medical help they need.

The van service is available Monday through Friday. For more information, call 240-4698.