Current van drivers and organizers (left to right) Dan and
Judy Uplinger (Air Force), Bob and Nancy Yoak (Navy), Paul and
Freda Whytsell (Army) and Adrian K. Ball (Marines) - Hur Herald Photo
By Bob Weaver
Calhoun's D.A.V. van project has now provided thousands of miles of services to local veterans to and from regional VA facilities, according to van coordinators Paul and Freda Whytsell.
The project, first launched in 1997, has been possible "with a number of faithful volunteers," said Paul Whytsell.
Several of them have passed on, like the recent deaths of Katheryn and Coleman Burrows. "Coleman (pictured left) donated over 660 hours and drove over 10,000 miles last year to help our veterans," Whytsell said.
VFW Post Commander Denver Gandee of Spencer and local commander Whytsell began discussing the transportation problem in 1997, with veterans having problems getting to their appointments.
Whytsell says a large number of vets showed up to a meeting with Clarksburg VA rep Stan Frum, who advised the local group would have to get the go ahead from state authorities.
"Del. Stemple and local hospital administrator Barb Lay helped the process," said Whytsell, and the first van was delivered in April, 1997. In 2002 the van was retired with 187,000 miles, and replaced by a new unit.
Bob Wise, Alan Mollohan and Art Bell also helped launch the project, said Whytsell.
He recalled some of the faithful drivers over the years, Adrian Ball, Paul Whytsell, Victor Whytsell, Woodrow Whytsell, Albert Tanner, James Beecher (deceased), John Falls (deceased), Rufus Honaker (deceased), Coleman Burrows (deceased), Katheryn Burrows (deceased), James Yoak, Karen Yoak, Warren Kerby, Kim Kerby, Alma Griffith, Paul Wilson, Roy Pursley, Delbert Gainer, Robert Yoak, and Dan Uplinger.
Attending ribbon cutting in 1997, left to right, Barb Lay, MHHCC administrator; Rep. Bob Wise; Mike Neush, director of Louis A. Johnson Medical Center, Clarksburg; Denver Gandee, Sr., Roane County VFW commander; Paul Whytsell, Calhoun VFW commander.
Last year, Robert Yoak donated 630 hours, Dan Uplinger donated 350 hours and Adrian Ball donated 160 hours.
"We are really in need of volunteer drivers now. If anyone is interested, I sure would like to hear from them," said Whytsell.
"It has been a great project that has helped a lot of veterans," he concluded.
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