Vets need transport to Wenatchee clinic

Editor’s note: The following quotes come from notes compiled by Okanogan County Watch, info@countywatch.org

OKANOGAN – Military veterans in the county need help finding transport to the VA clinic in Wenatchee. That is the message Tom Even, the county veterans service officer brought to the June 26 meeting of the board of Okanogan County Commissioners.

“We still have no driver for the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) van,” said Even. “TranGo offers a bus to Wenatchee once per week which needs to be pre-scheduled (for Thursdays). Who can I talk to to get them to be more open?”

Commissioner Chris Branch asked what the problem was regarding the lack of a DAV driver.

“Communication,” said Even. “The DAV isn’t communicating with us at all. We don’t have any drivers and they won’t talk to us until they do.”

Even said pre-scheduling also presents a difficulty.

“For a veteran to schedule his appointment at the VA in Wenatchee would be like pulling teeth,” Even said, “So if he had to go Monday or Tuesday, would TranGo be willing to help out? We’d preschedule, but can they go another day than Thursday? For example, if we call two weeks in advance, can we switch to Tuesday?”

Commissioner Andy Hover advised Even that he sits on the TranGo board.

“Let me talk to them,” said Hover. “TranGo contracts with OCTN (Okanogan County Transportation and Nutrition). They do on-demand for seniors for doctor appointments, (so) I’ll see how they integrate and get back to you.”

Hover asked Even how he would envision the transport working?

“We’ve had to turn a lot (of veterans) down in the past,” said Even. “Most have to go to an appointment at the VA clinic in Wenatchee. There’s a service that’ll take them round trip to Wenatchee for $600 or $800. They can’t afford that.”

“I’ll talk to TranGo and OCTN and see if they can connect with the Link (Transit) to Wenatchee,” said Hover.  “Maybe that’s why it has to go on Thursday.”

On a related issue Even reported on outreach efforts to homeless vets. He said his service is seeing more vets coming in thanks to the PACT Act. The PACT Act or The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, passed August 2, 2022. It “expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances,” according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website, va.gov.

Katrina Cates, Support Services Veterans Families Manager for the Okanogan County Community Action Council said her agency is working with Manfisher Ministries, Recovery Navigators, the Colville Tribe, and other sources to reach vets.

“We’ll meet our clientele wherever they are,” said Cates. “We’re planning outreach at Tonasket foodbank on July 20. Trying to meet the population we serve.”

Even, a Marine Corps veteran and member of the Tonasket American Legion has been the county’s Washington Department of Veterans Affairs certified service officer for the past three years.

“They always call my office first,” said Even of vets who need help.