Our veterans often face many challenges after they step off the battlefield. A News 13 Everyday Hero is working to make sure some local veterans have a way to get around.

Randy Boyer loves tinkering with pieces and parts to get things working. So when someone didn’t have a way to start up a scooter, they turned to the master locksmith for help.

“They said we have this scooter and it doesn’t have keys,” said Boyer.

Boyer got that scooter working again, and since then, he’s worked on several to get them up and running. He’s part of Troops R US. The Deltona nonprofit takes in used motorized wheelchairs from care facilities that can’t turn them over to other patients.

“Most of the nursing homes and hospitals do not have the authority to do that, they can’t for liability issues,” said Jason Davis, chairman and president of Volusia County Troops R US.
“So what we do is go to the local nursing homes and hospitals and say if you’ve got one, call us and we’ll come and get it.”

In early August, Randy got another scooter from a private donor. He also got that one working again.

“Anything I can do to help with them I’m glad to do it,” said Boyer.

The group then gave the scooter to Wayne Howard, a navy veteran.

“Thank you, this will make everything easier on me,” said Howard.


Many veterans like having a scooter as it gives them a newfound sense of freedom. (News 13)

Howard says he never expected it.

“Honestly I thought once we came home we’d get forgotten,” said Howard. “It’s a good feeling, makes you warm inside to know you’re not forgotten.”

Boyer explained how important the scooters are for many veterans. 

“When they came home from the service and thought that they were now injured and wouldn’t be able to do (much), and now we’ve given them a chance to now be able to get out,” said Boyer. “And that’s where it’s at.”

Howard said the scooter helps relieve the pain that he is in and it is makes it easier for him to get around. And he is ecstatic about the scooter.

“This is like the greatest gift I could’ve gotten – it’s like a brand new car. I’ll remember this for the rest of my life,” he said.

Boyer is working on several more scooters right now that have been donated. Troops R US hopes to eventually raise enough money to build homes for veterans as well.

You can find out more about the group and how you can assist with their efforts at www.troopsrus.org.