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September 4, 2009

A Driving Force

Retired servicemen volunteer to drive fellow veterans and their families to and from VA Medical Center in Lexington

By Erica Bowling / for the Times-Tribune

Click here to see the Sept. 5, 2009, Neighbors section in its entirety


After serving in France, Germany, and England in the United States Air Force Medical Corps, Ron Steele knows first-hand how vitally important it is for the servicemen and women to count on one another for support. Steele continues to help his fellow comrades-in-arms by being there for them today in their time of need. Steele serves as a volunteer transporting veterans to and from the Veterans Administration Health Center in Lexington.

Steele is a lifelong resident of Corbin and said he enjoys being able to help out. He said it is an honor to be able to give back in some way to those veterans who have fought for our freedom.

“It feels good when someone takes the time to say ‘thank you.’ You can’t put a price on the feeling you get when you volunteer your time to help a veteran get his medical care. I am proud to be a part of it,” said Steele.

Steele has been working as a volunteer for the Disabled American Veterans Transportation Network for three years.

“I saw an ad in the newspaper that they were needing drivers. I was just sitting at home, and figured it would be a good way to spend my time while helping someone in the process,” he said.

Now 74, Steele says he will continue to volunteer his time as long as he is physically able. But he said the program is in dire need of more drivers.

“I used to only drive one or two days a week, but now I am sometimes going every single day. We definitely need more drivers,” he said.

According to Sherry Bargo, who works locally as a coordinator between drivers and clients, the program is crucial in order for local veterans to receive the medical care they need and deserve.

According to Bargo, the program offers the community a chance to volunteer and make a difference in the life of a veteran.

“These guys and girls have devoted their lives to fight for our freedom. They may be blind or disabled, and not able to drive themselves back and forth from their appointments,” she said, and added, “The least someone with a little spare time can do is to help these veterans get to their doctor’s appointments.”

Sherry Bargo works with her husband Denver to ensure that every veteran makes it to every appointment. She said recently a client called in to schedule a ride to the doctor and she wasn’t sure if a driver would be available.

“His name is Charles Meadors, and he told me what day he was scheduled. I let him know that we were down to one or two drivers at the time, and I didn’t know if we’d have anyone available,” she Bargo.

“I simply asked him if he knew of anyone who would be interested in being a volunteer driver,” she said.

Bargo said she was taken aback when, in the true spirit of a soldier, Meadors replied,

“I’ll drive.”

Meadors is now going through the process of becoming a volunteer driver.

According to Bargo, the volunteer driver program will accept any driver who can pass a physical examination (free of charge,) has a valid driver’s license and is insurable.

“It works out great because the VA provides a van for them, along with insurance, and you don’t have to be a veteran to work as a driver,” she said.

“You just need to have the desire and the time to help out.”

Bargo remembers another veteran who started as a driver, and is now a client.

Don Murray of Corbin worked as a volunteer driver for four years. He is retired from the Army.

After suffering from heart problems, Murray is no longer able to drive and now depends on the volunteer drivers to take him to the doctor.

“I don’t know what I would do without them,” said Murray.

“I used to work as a driver, and I loved doing it, it means a lot.

“Now I can’t drive anymore because of my health. I really appreciate the drivers who work in the program, especially now that I am in the backseat instead of the driver’s seat.”

“This program is very important for veterans. It would be impossible for some of us to get the medical care we need without these volunteer drivers,” said Murray.

Bargo said anyone interested in becoming a volunteer driver can contact her at 606-523-1692.

For more information on veteran’s benefits and programs, contact the Veteran’s Administration at http://www.va.gov, or call toll free at (800) 827-1000.

Erica Bowlin is a former Miss Whitley County. She is a mother and homemaker currently living in Lily. She can be reached at ericalynnbowlin@yahoo.com

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