For the City Times

MADISON – The VFW Department of Wisconsin will honor Lonnie Grau’s legacy of service by selecting a disabled Wisconsin veteran to receive a wheelchair accessible van.

The keys will be presented on June 25 at the Wisconsin VFW’s 100th State Convention in Green Bay.

“Very soon after I became State Commander for Wisconsin’s VFW, I was approached by Marilyn Grau from my hometown in Oregon, Wisconsin. Her Army Veteran husband Lonnie passed away in March of 2020 from cancer caused by exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam,” said VFW State Commander Jason Johns.

“As Lonnie’s ailments worsened, he eventually became wheelchair bound.  They had purchased a new mini-van and had all necessary accommodations made so Lonnie could drive it without assistance and regain his independence.

“After Lonnie’s death, Marilyn wanted to be able to have another disabled veteran experience the sense of joy and freedom that Lonnie gained with the van and donated Lonnie’s 2018 Chrysler Pacifica, with less than 1300 miles on it, to the Wisconsin VFW Foundation.”

If you know a disabled veteran that could benefit from the van, the application is available at vfwwi.org. The veteran does not have to be a VFW member to apply. Deadline is May 31,

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Wisconsin has 252 posts in 10 districts with over 25,000 members and an Auxiliary of over 8,500 members.