The Park Rapids American Legion donated $500 to one of their members in February to help complete his family’s wheelchair accessible home.

Ron James is a five-year U.S. Air Force veteran who served as a heavy equipment operator with the Red Horse Squadron. He continued as a heavy equipment operator after his military discharge.

In March 2020, James had a vehicle accident that left him a quadriplegic. At that time, he was working as an equipment operator for BCI Concrete, running tower crane, fork lifts, semi truck and trucks with knuckle boom.

According to his friend and fellow Legion member Marv Vredenburg, James “is still working as an operator, is a pro at operating his power chair and his handicap equipped van, driving his daughter around and running for supplies for the folks and contractors working on his family’s new handicap accessible home.”