The freak storm looked something like this but the tall grass was flattened and black clouds darkened the sky.
My DH and I just returned from a family event in Grand Forks, ND. As we approached Fargo, a severe weather warning was announced on the radio. We were told to expect 60 mile per hour winds, rain and hail. We drove right into it. Trucks and cars pulled off the highway; we did the same as visibility was zero. Winds rocked the car; the fierce hail attack lasted over 20 minutes. Incredibly, our Honda’s windshield was not shattered and we were able to continue our journey. We had never experienced a hail storm that lasted so long or was so fierce.
Had any veterans on the road needed care due to this storm, Fargo hosts a VA hospital. If the storm happened 80 miles north, in Grand Forks, which has a larger population, they could go to a clinic.
But wouldn’t it be great if veterans had access to an app that could display where VA clinics and hospitals are located (with contact info and hours of operation) when they are traveling? Or where the VA has contracts with private hospitals in locations where the VA is too distant.
It’s hard to understand why many VA hospitals are located far from population centers. For example, White River Junction, VT is located about 90 miles from Burlington, the largest city. That’s a 3 1/2 hour round trip drive in good weather. In winter, it’s best to stay home rather than risk the black ice conditions in the mountain passes.
Is this information on an app, or a GPS system? I think Google Maps on a smartphone or Nexus 7 tablet might be the best option at the moment but alas, many of us have neither.
asknod
Bethanie Spangenberg
kcraveiro
robinhoodesqvetsatty
Wesley McCauley
Veterans Claims Help 
http://www.va.gov/vaMobile.htm
Well, someone at the VA is on it! Thanks for researching this for us. This is useful.
I agree there should be some kind of app but we know as it, its a long way off.
Excellent idea. But then, they’re all closed on weekends and National Holidays. Still, it deserves a “Why not?” If you get the VA involved, it’ll be out by 2020 and have a 95% accuracy rate.
Request the phones with all of the gadgets via ILP and then hide in a cave, brave the storm and await their merciful judgement in your favor. I will look into the app situation and see if I can something for all of us.
Randy–Do let us know if you can suggest a device that can work with wi-fi and cell towers. Or a GPS.device. Does ILP fund service plans? Seriously, this is needed for veterans without private insurance.
When we returned to driving we passed a man on the side of the road picking up cans to recycle.. He must have been black and blue after the pelting he endured.