VVA Chapter 1069 Meeting Report for: May 5-11-2022
[posted on: 5-12-2022]
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The meeting was held at Mikeska’s BBQ, (located on Hwy 59) El Campo, TX.
The chapter would like to thank Mikeska family for advertising our chapter meeting on their
new electronic color sign.
Chapter Presiedent, Joe McCreary opened the meeting at 6:00 PM.
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The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was recited and a prayer was given.
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After the meal, Joe re-opened the meeting at 7:00 PM. Total attendance was 27.
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Joe then recognized all those members who were having birthdays in May, and Happy Birthday was sung by all.
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Joe then introduced the special guest speaker, Jessica Collard, the Veterans Service Officer for Wharton County.
See photo below.
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Jessica's presentation was about the various ways that disabled veterans who have appointments,
could get rides to the Michael DeBakey VA Hospital/Center in Houston.
Jessica also mentioned that the current bus transportation service for veterans that was sponsored
by the Everyday Heroes veterans organization in El Campo, was shut down and no longer running. This
service was running daily and provided free daily rides for veterans to/from El Campo to/from the
Houston Michael DeBakey VA Center. Thus the need for some new alternate transportation service for
veterans.
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A veteran volunteer supporter in Wharton, named Mike Potter, will help find/provide rides for those
veterans who have appointments and need to get to a VA Health Center. His phone number
is (206) 735-5305. You must already have a scheduled appointment with A VA Center before calling him.
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The VA has started up a "VetRide" Transportation Service probgram. Jessica has spoken with the director
of this program. This is another option for those in need of a ride to the Michael DeBakey VA Center Hospital
in Houston. The eligibility requirements for this service are as follows...
- You must be a veteran enrolled in the VA Healthcare.
- You must be picked up within a 60-mile radius of the Hospital. For reference, it's 60 miles exactly from
the Wharton County VSO office to the DeBakey Hospital via Hwy 59, or 55.6 miles if you take ALT 90.
- Once you have your appointment information, it is highly recommended to schedule your pickup, even if
it's months in advance. The service does book up quickly.
- To schedule a ride with "VetRide", you can call this number and extension
directly: (713) 794-7932 x27932
Jessica also said, "This is not at all what we want for our veterans here in Wharton County. As a veteran
myself, I would like to see more services available inside our community as we do have a large population
of veterans who bring value to this County."
She also said, "I have also been in contact with a Homeless Outreach Social Worker who is willing to come
out and meet with veterans who require assistance. If you know of a veteran that needs this inoformation,
please feel free to contact my office at: (979) 532-1311."
Use the link below to visit the Wharton County VSO (Jessica Collard) webpage, posted on our chapter website.
The page contains all contact and office hours information for Jessica's office and includes a map to her office.
Wharton County VSO Webpage
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There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Next chapter meeting is: Wednesday, June 8, 2022, same place, same time - see you there!
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