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Veterans Day has special meaning to John Zielke, a retired technical sergeant with a 23-year career as an Air Force flight engineer.

Zielke, who served during the Korean and Vietnam wars from 1951 to 1974, is American Legion Post 44’s oldest veteran and will be turning 90 on Jan. 7, 2024.

He said the annual Nov. 11 tribute to veterans sparks interest in supporting them and the cause they stand for in protecting the nation’s freedom.

“I like to know that the military is still being promoted through (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and the American Legion,” he said. “We have to remember the troops who are stationed all over the world and what they do for us.”

Zielke said he encourages youths who are venturing out into life to consider serving in the military because of the experience they will gain that will aid them throughout their lives.

Zielke, a native of Waterloo, Wisconsin, joined the Air Force in 1951 and was involved in military airlift operations used to deploy and supply personnel at far reaches of the world.

He was a member of the Military Airlift Command and served as a flight engineer on Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, Lockheed C-141 Starlifter and C-130 Hercules aircraft.

While serving during the Korean and Vietnam War time frames, Zielke had been to 30 different countries, including 176 trips into Vietnam.

He said he considers himself lucky because he encountered three aircraft accidents and made it through all of them.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1974, Zielke was employed by FedEx which had brought him to Tennessee with a job in Memphis.

With an interest in fishing, he found his way to Tims Ford Lake and decided to retire in the area.

As a veteran, Zielke was recently honored by being awarded the Grand Marshal medal for the 2022 American Legion Veterans Parade and was a keynote participant in the event.

He was presented with the honors by American Legion Tennessee Division Commander Lanny Culver who made a special trip to Winchester to participate in the parade.

Zielke made a comment at the time that most of his flying time was over water.

“There’s a lot of water between California and Southeast Asia,” he said

During an address to elementary students at Winchester Christian Academy, Zielke said to the students: “I hope you all grow up and join the Air Force. We need you.”