In the Merrimack Valley, fellow veterans are finding free transportation and much-needed camaraderie through a dedicated nonprofit organization founded by a local Navy veteran. Doug Linnell founded Go Mobile Assets, a nonprofit organization specifically dedicated to providing free transportation services to veterans in the region. Since the organization launched about a year ago, it has worked to bridge gaps for local veterans who might otherwise struggle to find reliable ways to get around.
Doug Linnell is currently the sole driver for the organization, handling all the routes and driving duties single-handedly. To carry out these trips, Doug Linnell uses a Ford Explorer for the operation. Furthermore, Doug Linnell pays out of his own pocket to subsidize rides for the veterans, ensuring that the service remains entirely free for the riders who rely on it.
The motivation behind the nonprofit stems deeply from personal experience. Doug Linnell is approaching seven years of sobriety and shares a profound connection with the people he transports. Reflecting on this background, Doug Linnell told a local news report, "I was in their shoes." Expanding on that shared history, Doug Linnell further told a local news report, "I did the same programs they did at the Bedford VA. I know what it was like not to have that transportation, to have that disconnect from family, friends."
To maintain regular engagement and support, Go Mobile Assets organizes consistent weekly outings for veterans. Regular trips provided by the nonprofit include Market Basket Monday and Walmart Wednesday, giving veterans reliable opportunities to handle necessary errands, pick up groceries, and get out into the community.
These trips are designed to be more than just a simple car ride from one place to another. During the journeys, riders participate in interactive trivia games with prizes, adding an element of fun and mental engagement to the commute. Among the local community members who have utilized the service are Claire Pool and Bart Clifton, both of whom took part in a Walmart Wednesday trip. Through these weekly outings, the dedicated efforts of Doug Linnell continue to provide essential mobility and foster a strong sense of community and shared support among veterans in the Merrimack Valley.