HONOR FLIGHT – MEET BILL ZEBLECKIS OF YORKVILLE
In the military, you and your comrades are handed situations that must be successfully completed as a team; so, you must work together to accomplish those tasks. You overcome the problems and complete the job.
Bill knows this all too well. He was in the army; 17th Armored Engineer Battalion of the 2nd Armored Division “Hell on Wheels”. Their motto was “We pave the way”. He built bridges and buildings; cleared mine fields and built tank traps. He also drove soldiers in a WWII half-track which was upgraded to the M59 personnel carrier along with the ability to travel on water.
After WWII, the 17th Armored Engineer Battalion was based in Dexheim, Germany assisting the mobility units of the 2nd
Armored Division.
“Our mission was to delay or defeat any Soviet invasion through the Fulda Gap. We had an annual training event installing a floating bridge across the Rhine River, like the battalion did in WWII,” Bill adds. “I was fortunate enough to drive French and English dignitaries on the Rhine River in the M59 personnel carrier and eventually attain the rank of Specialist 3rd class.”
So, it should have come as no surprise to this 84-year-old vet, when two people showed up at his front door holding the Chicago Honor Flight Sign to recognize him for his bravery, determination, and patriotism as a senior war veteran and honor him with a one-of-a-kind journey to Washington D.C.
Bill feels incredibly blessed and fortunate to be one of the lucky ones. He has had a wonderful life with a wonderful family and will forever honor those who gave everything for their country. –Kristen Kucharski
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