OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY)– A Vietnam veteran, continues his service to his community as a bus driver for St. Landry Parish, using the lessons he learned in the Army to ensure the best possible service.

Carlton McCoy served in Germany and Vietnam and worked in aircraft repairs for the Army. Now serves his community as a bus driver for nearly 15 years.

For McCoy his service to his community means a lot and said “I’ve done what I’m supposed to do.”

“I was in charge of the whole parts department for 20 about 25 helicopters,” McCoy said. “It was my job to see to it that all parts were available whenever they needed it.”

McCoy said the biggest lesson he learned in the Army that he carries into his new role is, “Do what you’re told.”

“Do the best that you can with whatever you’re told to do or how you’re told to do it,” McCoy said. “Do it and just roll with it. That’s all you can do.”

“You had to be on top of your game, and that taught you when you got out that you had to be on top of your game when you came out,” McCoy said. “You had to learn how to respect people. You had to do what you were told to do, when to do it and how to do it. And that’s what happened with me.”

After his two and a half years in the military were over, he moved back to Acadiana, where years later, he began his current role with the St. Landry Parish Community Action Agency.

McCoy drives community members to their essential tasks, like work, doctor appointments and grocery store runs.

“I feel great about it,” McCoy said. “I’ve been around a while, you understand. As long as I can keep on going, and I don’t have any major problems…I wake up and check on my body. If the old body says, ‘Go,’ I’m going. So, as long as my body says, ‘Hey I can continue doing it,’ I will continue driving.”

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