anna@pdclarion.com

PRINCETON - When the Gibson County Veterans Service Office got a van to transport veterans to clinics in Evansville and Marion, Ill., about ten years ago, they planned on making it easy on veterans and their families. At the time, the office had four volunteer drivers. Now, they have none.

Barbara Schenk, service officer, said the drivers have quit because of medical conditions, or they moved away.

Currently a van from the Mt. Carmel office helps transport Gibson County veterans, Schenk said. She said she contacts them whenever a veteran notifies her that he or she has an appointment. One or several veterans may have an appointment on the same day, she said. Sometimes a few days pass between appointments.

Ideally, the office would have five drivers - one for every day of the week, she said.

For one Gibson County family, the services are desperately needed.

Jay Hill, 28, of Francisco, served in Iraq from January 2003 to February 2004. Around October 2003, he fell off a Humvee when a bomb went off nearby, his father, Bill Hill said. His son hit the back of his head on the ground and was unconscious for about two hours. He also broke his ankle.

Bill said his son has not been the same since his injuries and his experience in Iraq.

The Hills go to clinics in Evansville and Marion to visit Jay's physical therapist, psychiatrist, dermatologist and orthopedic doctor six or seven times a month. Once he starts going to the occupational therapist, he will be making about 12 trips each month, Bill said.

When veterans or their families drive to the clinics, he said they are reimbursed about 48 cents per mile, but a $15 copayment is taken from the travel fund. He said that leaves him with less than $5 when he drives to the Evansville clinic.

He tries to schedule appointments on the same day, but because the clinic usually stays busy, that is not always possible.

As a result of Jay's brain injuries, he relies on his father to take him. But because of his father's work schedule at the Owensville and Oakland City ambulance services, he sometimes has no choice but to miss them.

Jay Hill's mother has passed away, and he is divorced from his wife.

In addition to his head and ankle injuries, Jay has suffered from a rash that has been unsuccessfully treated since June 2003.

"We don't know what it is," Bill said. "The government tested him, gave him medications. None of them worked."

He said doctors did not check his liver enzymes while he was taking the medications, and as a result, he now has liver complications.

He said he has endured many difficulties just to get his son the help he needs. The family has dealt with doctors who aren't sympathetic, treatments that do not work and has tried to get the government to approve disability payments for his son.

But despite how frustrated he gets, Bill Hill never gives up.

"I am tired. I have pushed so far, from the president all the way to senators and congressmen. I wrote Vice President (Richard) Cheney," he said.

Bill said that even if people do not agree with the war, they should still support the troops.

"I sit back and hold my breath when I hear people on TV say, 'I don't know why they're over there,'" Bill said. "Who cares why they're over there? Support them."

He said people are too complacent now. He said he is shocked to hear that the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars are having problems finding volunteers.

He said he remembers going to the Red Cross during Vietnam to get names of soldiers so he could send care packages to them.

"I bet in 1776 (veterans) got the best care as they probably could because they had something they agreed on, and that was freedom," Bill Hill said. "We've gone too far to get it. Sept. 11 was a wake-up call. We may not like the war, but we need to support the kids."

He said he hates to see a van that the local VFW and the legion paid for sit because there is no one to drive it.

"Think if it was your sons or daughters," he said.

Bill Hill said that people who volunteer to drive must be caring, because many of the veterans will want to talk during the ride.

"It may be therapeutic for them," he said. "They don't talk about the gory details, they talk about life."

Those wanting to volunteer need to fill out an application at the VA Clinic in Evansville, where they will also need to take a physical exam. A valid driver's license is required.

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Barbara Schenk at the Gibson County Veteran Affairs Office at 385-4522 or Carolyn Millander at the VA Clinic in Evansville at 812-465-6202.