LaMettry’s Collision of Minneapolis, along with local vendors and Farmers Insurance, donated a refurbished 2009 Nissan Altima to Cheryl Zaun, the mother of a fallen soldier, on Tuesday, May 19 in honor of Memorial Day. The donation was made through the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides program.
LaMettry’s stated that Zaun couldn’t stop smiling.
“Oh gosh, I can’t believe it!” she said. “I have to say, my son Mickey was a motorhead. I’m sure he’s smiling down from heaven. This is an unbelievable gift for me.”
Zaun lost her son, Sergeant First Class Mickey E. Zaun, 10 years ago due to injuries sustained during an armored vehicle collision near Mosul, Iraq. Prior to his death, Cheryl had been in two separate accidents resulting in severe injuries. As a result, she is unable to work and lives on disability.
The keynote speaker at the event was local Senator David Hann, who is also a Vietnam Vet. Hann thanked the Zaun family for their sacrifice and spoke of the Recycled Ride as “a symbol of respect and gratitude that we have for what you and your son have given to our country.”
Also speaking at the event was Rep. Jim Nash, who thanked the military and reminded everyone, “It’s very important that we never forget the freedom we have was given to us by the men and women who stood up and said, ‘I will defend you.’”
The last speaker was SSG Scott Adams, who was the recipient of LaMettry’s Recycled Ride in November 2013. He welcomed Zaun to the family and offered some perspective.
“As an NCO, when you’re out there, you want information,” Adams said. “What you always tell your troops is, ‘Hey, don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions.’ And that’s what you have done with this. You’ve made a solution to veterans’ and their families’ problems. And you’re fixing them.”
To end the ceremony, LaMettry’s Collision CEO Joanne LaMettry handed over the keys to an excited and grateful Zaun. This is the fifth vehicle LaMettry’s has repaired and donated.
