After two years of waiting the Fulton County Veterans Service Office has finally received a new van to provide local vets with free transportation to medical appointments.

Fulton County Veteran Service Officer Ric Foust said the van was made possible thanks to donations by community members, businesses and grants given by Ford Motor Company and the Disabled American Veterans.

Foust said the 2023 Ford Transit's cost was around $43,000. 

The use of the van is intended for veterans only. Fouts said since the van is designated medical appointments only, and for appointments in Fulton County, home pick-ups can be done. All those with out-of-county appointments will need to meet at the courthouse for pick-up. 

Foust has been the Fulton County Veteran Service Officer for the past nine years, and says the free transportation provided to our local vets are important. 

Fouts says there is no set time or day for the van's availability. Veterans wanting to arrange a ride with the can do so by first contacting Fouts at 574-223-2217. Fouts then arranges for the drivers to contact the vet and arrange the pick-up.

Fouts said he is extremely thankful for his three drivers - Rick Baber, Nathan Salvagni, and Dana Smart - for their time and dedication helping vets get to their medical appointments. 

Thanks to the new van, Fulton County Veterans Service Office can continue to be responsible for providing veterans transportation to and from a VA Medical Facility. More than just helping with transportation, the Veterans Service Office also offers other services to vets, which include help for service connected disability compensation, pension benefits, survivor benefits, burial benefits, and more.