Oct 24, 2014 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – The Greene County Veterans Affairs office received a new van to transport veterans to doctor’s appointments at VA facilities.

Half the purchase price came through the Greene County commissioner’s office and the other half from the National Disabled Veterans department.

With trips taking place four days a week, the previous van logged 153,000 miles in just five years, going back and forth to appointments and occasionally participating in local parades.

Driver Bill Czmiel said the new Ford 350 van, which cost $30,300, will hold up to 13 passengers “comfortably.”

Riders meet the van at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Waynesburg Burger King, where Czmiel takes them to appointments and waits until all are finished before making the return trip to Waynesburg.

It is currrently cost prohibitive for the van to operate five days a week under the current the VA’s budget, said Dalene Watson, director of the Greene County Veterans Affairs.

Czmiel is the only driver and Watson said her department is seeking a substitute driver to help out “now and then” when Czmiel needs a day off. A commercial driver’s license is not required. Applicants must pass a physical examination and not have any felony convictions. For more information, call Greene County Veterans Affairs office at 724-852-5275