Mr. Heider wasn't available to receive his award, but his wife, Bernie, and daughter, Kim were delighted to see the quilt made in Bill Heider's honor.
Mr. Heider lived across the street from me during my childhood. A strong presence in the neighborhood, we could always count on Mr. Heider for farm-fresh produce, which always included ripe tomatoes, sweet corn, and fresh eggs. He made summer special. Not only did he find time to be an active gardener, as well as member of various groups and church, he also became one of the pillars of his neighbor.
He always had a smile on his face and extended a helping hand with snow following blizzards or pleasant conversations.
While I never had the pleasure of talking with Mr. Heider at great length about his experience in France, I believe he was a Marine, if not a Marine at heart.
When he shared memories of the war, it was on a day that he received basil bread freshly made at Target. He reflected on the fact that it was just like the bread so many French families ate.
Bill and his wife raised a beautiful family in the Omaha. Their children, Mark, Teresa, and Amy are grown with families and grandchildren to keep the family growing.
Mr. Heider honored the United States by not only giving time to keeping our constitutional rights and responsibilities at the forefront of history, but also by shining a bright light in the Omaha community, as well.
The man holding the quilt shared the following:
Mr. Heider proudly served the United States during the Korean War, while stationed in France. While he tried to enlist in the United States Marine Corp, at the tail end of WWII, they rejected him due to flat feet.
In 1950, at the age of 22, the Korean War started. Mr. Heider was drafted and served his country as a Corporal Parts Specialist with the Engineers' Construction Battalion for heavy equipment parts. During this time, his tour included parts of Southern Europe, including Italy and Spain.
One of Mr. Heider's fondest memories was a moment in Bremerhaven. While in his bunk, the news that General Eisenhower was elected as President tickled him pink. This was, in part, due to the fact that he was on his second week of extra duty. He'd be going home soon.
Another responsibility that fell upon Mr. Heider's service as an enlisted soldier, was cleaning up, due to the Russian threat, at the Maginot Line.
When called upon to enlist, he left Omaha with a group of men, and was stationed in California. From California, he left for France and played an important role in a one of the most disastrous wars in our history.
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