VA Black Hills Health Care System

After more than 600,000 miles of driving Veterans to and from their appointments at VA Black Hills Health Care Center (BHHCS), Disabled American Veterans (DAV) has retired four vans and commissioned new ones.

The DAV service organization has partnered with VA’s throughout the country since 1973, to ease the obstacle of transportation for Veterans seeking care through their assigned VA Medical Center. Vans are purchased by donations from Veteran service organizations and community donations, along with matching funds from the DAV Columbia Trust Fund.

These four new vans, each with more than 150,000 miles, will replace the vans that have previously served Veterans in Winner, Pierre, and Rosebud, S.D., and Scottsbluff, Neb. This donation by the DAV is valued at more than $100,000.

For DAV Chapters in western South Dakota and Nebraska, this is merely the continuation of the tradition that began in 1973, with the purchase of the first ever DAV van in Pierre, S.D.

"Many of the Veterans we transport thank us and say how much they appreciate the service," said Don Sealock, DAV Hospital Service Coordinator for VA BHHCS. "For some, it is the only way they can get to their medical appointments."

More than 80 VA BHHCS volunteers provide transportation to an average of 800 Veteran’s each month, and drive an average of 35,000 miles each month.

For more information on the DAV transportation network, please contact Don Sealock at 605-347-2511 ext. 7065.

By Jill Broecher, Public Affairs Officer