Emerson resident Bill Zeisler was a member of the Honor Flight of Sioux Falls, S.D. that traveled to Washington, D.C in September to view the monuments and statues representing recent War memorabilia.
Bill, 93, was accompanied by his son, Jon, as each veteran has to have a guardian. The group was treated by a banquet the night before departure.
They arrived in Washington at 9 a.m. for a long strenuous day of touring. If any of you know Bill, you know he is an avid golfer and walks everywhere. When the authorities asked if he needed a wheel chair he replied "NO!” But his son, Jon said yes and Bill said he was so glad Jon said yes as they walked a long way and he certainly appreciated the chair.
The group toured war memorials, statues and monuments including the Vietnam, Navy and Air Force memorials, World War II and others. Bill enjoyed the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and admired the service members who attend to it.
He had been to D.C previously, but not since so many of the Memorials have been added. He stated "it's a sight to behold.”
Upon their return to Sioux Falls that evening, he was surprised by his wife Mary, daughter Lara and grandchildren, Greer and Otto and family members Gayle Rohde and Mike and Vickie Loofe.
Bill is a 1948 graduate of Emerson High School. After several years of various jobs, he decided to join the Navy in 1951. He was stationed in Alameda, Calif., where he spent time on the Captains plane where they went to Honolulu, Hawaii three times a month and stayed at a resort. He was discharged in 1955 and came home to farm and endured drought conditions in 1955-56.
When farming didn't turn out, Bill went to California where he worked for the telephone company for a year. He returned to Nebraska in 1959 and attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and later UNO, where he obtained his engineering degree.
He married Mary Wilke while in Omaha and they later moved to Phoenix, Ariz.
Upon retirement Bill and Mary returned to Emerson where both are active in the community,
Bill expresses gratitude to the Honor Flight personnel for showing the Veterans a great but busy time.
Thanks Bill for your service and so glad you were able to participate in the Honor Flight.
