Patriotic-Themed New Bus Transporting Martin County Veterans

Patriotic-Themed New Bus Transporting Martin County Veterans

Patriotic-Themed New Bus Transporting Martin County Veterans

The Martin County Veterans Services Office recently took possession of a new 12-passenger, two-wheelchair bus to transport veterans from Stuart to their appointments at the VA Medical Center in West Palm Beach. The new bus continues a service that began over 20 years ago in Martin County, thanks to the efforts of the Veterans Council of Martin County, the Martin County Board of County Commissioners and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The buses fill up each weekday run. Over 4,300 Martin County veterans use the bus service each year.
The funds to purchase the buses came from donors and veterans organizations
in Martin County.
Photo credit: Martin County Board of County Commissioners
The bus is decorated in patriotic colors with images of the American flag and U.S. Constitution. Donors’ names are displayed inside the bus for riders to see. “This is the first of two bus purchases,” said George Mittler, Chairman of the Veterans Council of Martin County. “Each bus costs about $55,000. The funds used to purchase these buses came from donors and organizations right here in Martin County.”
“My hat is off to the Veterans Council and all Martin County veterans organizations. Since the beginning of the veterans’ transportation system in Martin County, they have raised funds and purchased numerous vehicles to enable this program to continue,” said Martin County District 5 Commissioner John Haddox, formerly the Veterans Services Office Supervisor.
The buses, although purchased through donations to the Veterans Council, are signed over to the VA. The VA then provides insurance and all maintenance on the bus. The bus life expectancy is roughly100,000 miles or seven years. The buses are then returned by the VA to the Veterans Council to be donated or used to raise funds.
Veterans are encouraged to call the Martin County Veterans Service Office at (772) 288-5450 to schedule a ride on the bus. If you are interested in making a donation to help maintain this service, checks may be sent to: Veterans Council of Martin County, Inc., PO Box 1994, Stuart, FL 34995.

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  • Posted 9 years ago

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