My dad is a U.S. veteran with a service related disability. I often accompany him to his appointments at the Atlanta, GA VA hospital. Parking is horrible unless you arrive at 7 am, we live 2 hours away and it's really hard to get appointments at convenient times to ensure a parking spot. My dad has a handicap tag on his vehicle, but not once has a handicap space been available. I watch individuals who are alone & wheelchair bound struggle to get out of their vehicles and make the long trek to the hospital entrance. This is a major issue for these veterans that have served our country. 

My dad hates going to the Atlanta VA because it is so hard to get him in and out. I use a wheelchair they provide but I have to walk 1/2 a mile to get it and then back to my car to get him, and then back the other way to the entrance. I am 44 and in fairly good shape & health and these trips to the hospital wear me out. I am positive there are alot of veterans who don't make it go to their appointments due to this problem causing them poor health. These are men & women who have fought for our freedom & risked their lives so that the rest of us are protected. It would benefit all veterans to have Valet Parking and be able to get out curbside whether they bring their own wheelchair or use a hospital provided wheelchair. Valet parking would make it easier for our Veterans to go to their appointments knowing that they aren't going to have to ride for an hour to find a parking spot & then make the long trek to the hospital entrance. Everytime I take my dad to his appointments, I see veterans struggling by themselves to get in and out of the hospital and back to their vehicle. It is heartbreaking to me. They have provided our country with the freedoms and security that we all enjoy everyday. I don't think it is fair for a veteran that has done so much for our country to struggle to get to appointments due to parking & distance issues. 

Now is the time to act because these veterans risked their lives for the freedoms that we have today. They fight to protect & serve our country. Many don't make it back home to their families, while many make it back with many different types of disabilities, often impairing their ability to walk or use their arms. Veterans deserve valet parking, it would ensure more veterans would go to their appointments if they knew it wouldn't be such a fight to get to the hospital entrance. I have questioned the employees at the VA in Atlanta, Ga & they said they used to have Valet parking but it wasn't the VA it was contracted out and the contract didn't renew.  Either here, nor there I stand to demand better treatment of the brave men & women that risked their lives & for the many that are permanently disabled & need assistance with parking. This is a huge problem and it needs to be addressed immediately!

I urge you to take a stand for the people that have given all of us the freedoms that we enjoy daily. Contact the State of Georgia Senators Jon Ossof & Raphael Warnock. I have sent them an email informing them of my petition. Let's bombard them with requests and make a change for the better! 

Thank you for your time & support for our country!