Veterans who receive assistance from the U.S. Veterans Administration hospitals and facilities around the country will soon have an easier way to get around according to General Motors.
General Motors, Chevrolet, and UAW agreed this week to donate Chevrolet Express vans to help transport veterans to medical facilities for appointments and checkups according to a press release issued by GM.
Vans were delivered on Tuesday to the Detroit VA Healthcare System. All vans that will be used are being built at GM's Missouri and St. Louis assembly plants and will be constructed to "accommodate veterans" who use wheelchairs or that have other mobility issues.
Other facilities that will receive vans include:
Battle Creek VA Medical Center, Battle Creek, Mich.
G.V. Sonny Montgomery VA Medical Center, Jackson, Miss.
VA St. Louis Health Care System, St. Louis
Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center, Inc., Philadelphia
"Those who serve our country deserve the best, and these brand-new, full-size vans built by our team in Wentzville will help the VA medical centers safely and comfortably transport vets to wherever they need to go," said Cathy Clegg, GM vice president of North American Labor Relations in the press release. "On behalf of our patriotic workforce with nearly 5,000 military veteran employees, and 45,000 retirees who are veterans, we're glad to make a difference in veterans' lives."
Age and medical issues present problems when it comes to obtaining the best medical assistance, so all three companies are hoping to make things a little easier for those who served our country, regardless of how long ago.
Joe Ashton, UAW vice president and director said recently that they feel they owe veterans a debt for their "courageous service" to the U.S. Chevrolet, GM and UAW wanted to figure out the best way they could help the men and women who have risked their lives for our country, and the vans should at least make their lives a little easier.
"When it comes to the unique needs of our vets, buses and vans can sometimes be 'one size fits all' when they are made, so many times we end up taking a few different vehicles on our outings and field trips," said Dr. Pamela Reeves, Detroit VA Medical Center director in the press release. "The fact that this van will actually be fitted with the specific equipment that meets the needs of our veterans, and to the specifications of our recreational therapists, is truly unique."
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