Pictured, Clyde Trexler (left) came along with his father, Roy “Sid” Trexler, as a guardian for the flight to D.C.
(submitted photo)

World War II Army veteran Roy “Sid” Trexler of Columbia, who recently traveled to Washington, D.C. on a Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, moves around well for his age.

During mild spring temperatures, Trexler can be seen taking his large motorcycle for a spin while dressed in a buttoned-down shirt and slacks.

“I’m 91 years old. I still ride my motorcycle,” Trexler said proudly.

Another notable feature for a man his age is his height — he stands more than six-feet tall. But his stature didn’t prevent him from a little modesty when recounting his days in the U.S. Army.

“As far as my service in the military, there isn’t much to tell,” Trexler said.

Some historians may disagree, however, as he was part of the Army’s 69th Infantry Division — or the first troops to meet with the Russians during the war. He also attended the flag re-raising ceremony at Ehrenbreitstein Fortress in Koblenz, Germany, in 1945.

The flag was flown at the end of World War I at the fortress, then lowered years later. Trexler said he met General George Patton and General Omar Bradley during the ceremony.

“That was kind of outstanding for me to meet all those generals,” he said.

The Army veteran who served his country for nearly three years went on the most recent Land of Lincoln Honor Flight out of Springfield with his son, Clyde Trexler. About 80 other veterans who served in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War went on the trip as well.

“I would highly recommend the trip to any veteran,” Trexler said.

Trexler had been to D.C. before, but said the WWII Memorial is ironically the only one he hadn’t seen until the honor flight.

“It had to be my favorite. Of course, the Vietnam memorial is always touching. They’re all sacred, really,” he said.

For more information on the different war memorials in Washington, go to washington.org. The next Land of Lincoln Honor Flight leaves Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport on May 23.

For more information or to apply for the Honor Flight, go to landoflincolnhonorflight.org.

Trexler and the rest of those on this most recent Honor Flight returned home after a one-day trip and saw the airport in Springfield was “wall to wall with people” greeting the veterans and applauding them for their service.

“I could not believe it. It was quite impressive for all of them to come out at that time of night,” Trexler said.