Because I am a Veteran I go to Newport, Oregon to the Lincoln County Veterans Service Office to visit Dr. Alkadi for routine health checkups. However, if there are needed procedures they don’t do there, I go up to the V. A Hospital in Portland.
Since I live in Waldport I use the Disabled American Veterans shuttle to get to and from Portland. This an organization chartered by Congress to help Veterans and is mainly run by volunteers. And all the shuttle drivers are volunteers.
But enough of the “Official” talk, lets talk about the reality of riding three hours up to Portland then three hours back in a Van with other Vets! Don’t get me wrong; these vans are new Ford nine passenger Vans. But it’s what the rides are like that make it a real trip so to speak.
The passengers are all strangers but are Vets, that have that in common But, in this last year and the way it’s gone, conversations range from one spectrum to another; from politics to the number of marijuana dispensaries between the coast and Portland. The shuttle I have ridden on starts in Florence and picks up from there to Lincoln City. So it can be an interesting ride, a tad bit long but I’ve come away with thanks for living in a country where people can say what they mean and not be censored for it! A least on the VA shuttle!!
Because I am a Veteran
By: Rick Schultze
This article was also published in “The Information Station” a local hand-out in our area…