WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced that it is awarding $710,550 to the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs to continue providing free transportation for rural veterans to eligible healthcare facilities. ADVERTISEMENT“I don’t think it’s any big surprise that many North Dakota veterans live hours from the care they need,” Cramer said. The program, known as Highly Rural Transportation Grants, provides veterans in 35 counties with transportation through appropriated funds for vehicle acquisition and operation in rural counties. NDDVA Commissioner Lonnie Wangen said the state has applied for and awarded grants since 2015 for the transportation of rural veterans. Among the revised bills beneficiaries would be approximately five Alaskan transport services and veterans organizations, the office said.