05/25/2025
This Memorial Day we proudly salute Dan Christensen, one of Kelly Lake’s very own. You can often find Dan at the Kwik Stop, so if you see him--give him a warm handshake and thank him for his service to our country.
Dan was a courageous helicopter gunner who served our nation during the Vietnam War and a recent Honor Flight recipient. Dan will be flying to D.C. this week for his honor flight. This will be his first flight on an airplane since the war.
If ever you get the chance read the book Legend by Eric Blehm.
Dan is featured in the book. A long excerpt from the book reads as follows:
Crew Chief Dan Christensen came groggily to his senses in a world that was sideways and shaking so violently he couldn’t see straight. He was lying in the grass, and the trees in the jungle around him were coming out of the ground, with exploding bark and branches and dirt flying everywhere as if a tornado were touching down. He saw the debris from the helicopter and smelled the smoke and burnt oil and remembered -McKibben was dead, and so was Fournier, but what about Fernan? Was he still in the wreckage? They’re going to blow it up…I gotta move.
He tried to open his mouth, but it was locked up, his jawbone cracked in half in the crash. His pant legs were dark, soaked with blood from where he’d been hit by bullets or shrapnel. He reached for the sidearm on his hip, but the holster was empty. Where’s my pistol? He thought, trying to wriggle himself up. Then what looked like a “human ketchup bottle” moved toward him, a Special Forces soldier whose face, hands, chest, neck, arms, and legs were covered in coagulating, black, caked-on, and smeared blood: Roy Benavidez.
Roy motioned for Christensen to stay down. Pointing up with one hand, a radio in the other, Roy signaled that help was incoming. Christensen gave Roy a thumbs up. Dropping his chest to the ground, Roy used his elbows to move through the grass toward O’Connor’s group, staying as low as possible as O’Connor and the CIDG provided cover.
Dan flew with bravery and determination through one of the most challenging chapters in American military history. His service from the skies exemplifies the courage, sacrifice, and commitment that define our veterans.
Through the Honor Flight program, Dan has the opportunity to visit the memorials built in honor of his service and that of his fellow heroes. It's a small gesture of the deep gratitude we owe him.
Thank you, Dan, for your service, your sacrifice, and your enduring spirit. We are forever in your debt.
