Door County Veteran Helps Bring Mobility to Disabled Veterans

Millard Christianson’s decision to donate $15,000 to the Independence Fund was an easy one. Helping a disabled veteran gain more independence and mobility just feels good.

“There are lots of these veterans that are without legs and without arms,” Christianson said. “I just said to myself, ‘I should buy a chair for these veterans,’ and that’s exactly what I did.”

The Independence Fund, based in Chicago, provides mobility devices like wheelchairs to disabled veterans. Christianson’s donation will buy an Action Trackchair, an “off-road” trackchair that allows users to navigate campgrounds, woods, beaches and other outdoor environments, even through mud and snow.

Christianson receiving a letter of recognition from Joe Heilman. Photo submitted.

“These chairs are just absolutely the right thing,” Christianson said. “They won’t go up a tree, but they are very fine pieces of equipment. That’s what [disabled veterans] need.”

Christianson is a member of the American Legion, and was honored with a letter of recognition from Door County Veterans Service Council chair Joe Heilman last summer.

Christianson served in the military from 1945 through 1948, and from 1946 to 1948 was stationed in German-occupied Austria. After his service he went to college under the GI Bill, and often donates to veteran causes.