North Dakota Veteran Receives New Car Through Keys to Progress Program

Nicholas Guitian, a veteran of the Army National Guard, received the keys to a new vehicle on Tuesday outside the West Fargo VFW.

The donation was part of the annual Keys to Progress program, which provides reliable transportation to veterans across the country, Valley News Live reported.

For Guitian, who served in Minot and Bismarck, the gift addresses a persistent logistical hurdle. Every summer, he makes a long-distance drive to Oklahoma to pick up his daughter. Last year, his previous vehicle suffered a mechanical failure five hours outside of Minot, requiring his father and brother to assist with a recovery that involved jump-starting the car multiple times to complete the journey.

“Surreal is a good word; I never would have guessed that this was even a program,” Guitian said. “I’m just amazed they would honor me with a car like this. I’m just happy to be here, I guess.”

The Keys to Progress program, managed by Progressive, has distributed more than 100 vehicles to veterans nationwide.

Beyond the vehicle itself, the donation included practical equipment designed for Guitian’s travel needs. He said that the car was outfitted with a grill, camping gear, and umbrellas.

“It’s amazing they’ve got a grill in there for me, some camping stuff and umbrellas,” Guitian said. “It will be great for the kids and me to bust out at the campsite.”

While the handover event marked a significant change in his circumstances, Guitian indicated that the transition is still settling in.

“Until I’m behind the wheel and I see it at home and it becomes my car, it just feels like a dream,” Guitian said.

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