127 new vans on the way to help sick and disabled veterans.

To provide transportation for sick and disabled veterans to get to and from VA medical facilities for needed medical care, 127 new Ford vans are on their way to join the DAV Transportation Network nationwide. The vans are made possible through a continuing partnership between DAV Departments and Chapters and the Colorado Trust.

The 127 new vans include 61 Ford Super Duty Econoline, 12-passenger vans and 66 Ford Freestar, 7-passenger vans. The new vans represent a combined investment of more than $2.5 million dollars in DAV Transportation Network purchases for 2006.

Volunteer drivers, many who use vacation time, arrived at National Headquarters eager to get their vans on the road and to work serving our nation's sick and disabled veterans. Many of the volunteer drivers took the opportunity to tour DAV National Headquarters, pick up some free posters and information, and even buy fraternal items and supplies at the Purchasing Department before getting back on the road to deliver the new vans to destinations throughout the country.

The photos depicted here represent a sampling of the many outstanding volunteer drivers who are building better lives for America's disabled veterans and their families through their efforts to keep the DAV Transportation Network rolling with new vans to provide needed transportation for sick and disabled veterans.

Lined up in front of DAV National Headquarters, with volunteer drivers waving good-bye, are seven of eight new Ford vans on their way to join the DAV Transportation Network in Pennsylvania. The Keystone State purchased a total of 12 new vans.

Clive Randall, a DAV volunteer driver out of Pocatello, Idaho, adjusts the mirror on one of two new Ford vans volunteer drivers from Idaho picked up at DAV National Headquarters. The vans will service sick and disabled veterans using the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center.

Ready to return to Owensboro, Ky., with a new Ford van to make sure sick and disabled veterans have transportation to and from the VA medical center in Marion, Ill., are, Jim Huff, Commander, DAV Chapter 4, Owensboro; Ray Plucknett, volunteer driver, and his spouse, Marian; and Dolores Huff, Commander, DA V Auxiliary State Department of Kentucky.

Standing in front of one of four new Ford vans slated to join others at work in the DAV Department of Indiana are, Don Williams, Department Adjutant Mike Whelihan, Tony Cross, Jim Thurau and Department Commander Tony Craig.

Debbie Walker, Adjutant; and Annie Murphy, Senior Vice Commander, DAV Chapter 7, Mobile, Ala., enjoy a tour of the Fred R. Bristol Visitor's Center. The two Chapter officers and volunteer drivers were at National Headquarters to pick up a new Ford van bound for service in the DAV Transportation Network providing transportation to and from VA medical facilities in Biloxi, Miss., and Pensacola, Fla., for sick and disabled veterans.

John Kligis, Commander, DAV Chapter 83 Wauconda, Ill., and Mike Hiley, DAV HSC, North Chicago VA Medical Center, prepare to mount up in a new Ford van purchased by Chapter 83.

The Keystone State does it again with the purchase of 12 new Ford vans for the DAV Transportation Network in Pennsylvania, made possible in cooperation with the Pennsylvania War Veterans" Council and support of the State Legislature. On hand to deliver eight of the vans to a special drive away ceremony at the State Capitol in Harrisburg are 15 volunteer drivers. Wishing them a safe return is DAV Deputy Inspector General Michael J. Walsh, left, and Nancy L. O'Brien, Director of Foundation and Workplace Giving, far right.

James Maxon, left, DAV Chapter 1, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Joyce Barrett, center, DAV National Headquarters VA Voluntary Services Correspondent; and Lorne King, a DAV volunteer driver, pause for a photo after completing the paperwork on a new Ford van to be based out of Spencer, Iowa. The new van will provide transportation for sick and disabled veterans seeking care at the VA medical center in Sioux Falls.

DAV Transportation Network volunteer drivers take time out for a photo with the three of the seven new Ford vans ready to depart DAV National Headquarters to transport sick and disabled veterans in Washington and Idaho to and from VA medical facilities for needed care. The vans for the transportation program are made possible through local funding and in conjunction with the National Transportation Network Van Grant program.

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