Obituary for David M. Millard
BALLSTON SPA - David Millard, 70, of Ballston Spa passed away peacefully on June 20, 2022 at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Albany, NY.
David is predeceased by his parents Rodney E Millard and Doris A (Abrams) Millard of Valley Falls, NY and his wife, Pamela Martinsen. He is survived by his sister Kathy Pauw of Saskatchewan, Canada as well as an extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.
David was a graduate of Hoosic Valley Central Schools. He enlisted in the US Army and served in Vietnam, where he learned the deepest meaning of friendship and brotherhood. He received a Purple Heart following injuries he received which would affect him for the rest of his life. The helicopter sent to rescue him went down while he was on board, leading to the death of a friend and instilling in David a need to give back to his brothers in arms.
After returning home, David served as Director of Veteran’s Affairs in Rensselaer County, instituting a first of its kind program to help those affected by Agent Orange, to preserve evidence of the chemical’s effects on their health.
The hallmark of David’s service was not seeking to cultivate powerful friends and make his tenure long, but seeking to make himself a powerful friend to others and make his tenure effective.
This was how he lived his life until the end.
Interment with military honors will be June 30, 2022 at 11:00am at the Gerald B H Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871. Those wishing to attend should arrive at the cemetery at 10:45AM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions made me made in Dave’s honor to the Veteran’s & Community Housing Coalition, 20 Prospect St., Building 2, Suite 313, Ballston Spa, NY 12020.
David is predeceased by his parents Rodney E Millard and Doris A (Abrams) Millard of Valley Falls, NY and his wife, Pamela Martinsen. He is survived by his sister Kathy Pauw of Saskatchewan, Canada as well as an extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.
David was a graduate of Hoosic Valley Central Schools. He enlisted in the US Army and served in Vietnam, where he learned the deepest meaning of friendship and brotherhood. He received a Purple Heart following injuries he received which would affect him for the rest of his life. The helicopter sent to rescue him went down while he was on board, leading to the death of a friend and instilling in David a need to give back to his brothers in arms.
After returning home, David served as Director of Veteran’s Affairs in Rensselaer County, instituting a first of its kind program to help those affected by Agent Orange, to preserve evidence of the chemical’s effects on their health.
The hallmark of David’s service was not seeking to cultivate powerful friends and make his tenure long, but seeking to make himself a powerful friend to others and make his tenure effective.
This was how he lived his life until the end.
Interment with military honors will be June 30, 2022 at 11:00am at the Gerald B H Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871. Those wishing to attend should arrive at the cemetery at 10:45AM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions made me made in Dave’s honor to the Veteran’s & Community Housing Coalition, 20 Prospect St., Building 2, Suite 313, Ballston Spa, NY 12020.