The American Legion Auxiliary Greer Unit #11 is honoring Robert Kisely as the October Veteran of the Month. Robert was drafted into the army in 1960 at the age of 21. After being drafted, Robert was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, MO where he and other draftees were sorted to be sent to different Army Training Installations. He was sent to Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX to complete his basic training. Robert then spent the next six months receiving training as an Ajax Missile technician/ operator. Once Robert had finished his training, he ended up spending the rest of his military career in an office at the Fort Bliss Army Base where in addition to doing paperwork, he also trained others on the Ajax Missile systems. Robert can remember not wanting to work an office job, but that is where he was assigned as he was needed to fill an open position. In 1962, Robert was honorably discharged from Fort Bliss and drove himself back to South Dakota as he had his own car.

For Robert, being drafted into the Army meant that it was the first time that he would leave South Dakota. Even though being drafted can be a scary thought for some, Robert looked forward to seeing other things and experiences outside of South Dakota. Robert was born and raised in Wagner and was one of three children. Before being drafted into the Army, Robert was farming. Thus, it was no surprise that when he returned home from his military service that he would go back to farming with his dad on the family farm. Robert continued to farm for the next 32 years before finally retiring. Even though Robert retired, he decided that he wanted to continue working and worked maintenance and operations for Broins. Besides his two years of military service and the 10 years of living in North Carolina (where they moved briefly to be closer to one of their children), Robert lived in Wagner his entire life.

Robert met his wife of 53 years, Evelyn, one day while he was cutting silage. Evelyn was home from college and the Kiselys and Evelyn’s family cut silage together. When asked how they started dating, Robert said that he offered to drive Evelyn back to her college campus (his first time on a college campus) and they have been together ever since. In 1971, the couple were united in marriage. The Kisely’s have six children Craig, Denise, Carl, Scott, Brian and Robin. The couple also have been blessed with seven grandchildren and several great grandchildren. Robert’s past hobbies have included traveling to all 50 states, most of Canada’s Provinces and into Mexico. He has also traveled to several European countries, while the couple visited the German foreign exchange student that they had hosted for a year. Interestingly enough, Robert was also a small airplane pilot for several years. His current hobbies are reading, playing solitaire on his cell phone, visiting with people and keeping busy by driving the ROCS van.

Over the years, Robert has been very involved in the community. He has served on the Board of Directors for Charles-Mix Electric for 33.5 years; SD State Electrical Board for six years; Randall Community Water District for two years; as a City Commissioner in Ramseur, NC; member of the military honor guard in NC for six years; member of the Wagner City Planning and Zoning Board for six years; volunteer at the Wagner City Museum for four years; Charles-Mix 4H leader for 21 years; lector and Eucharistic Minister at church for many years; and drove the VA van to transport local Veterans to their medical appointments for four years. Robert is also a Wagner American Legion member. He has the honor of being asked to serve on the Wagner American Legion’s honor guard and also works at the Legion Stand during Labor Day.

Robert’s military service was a great experience for him. It helped him grow up, see more of the United States and meet people from different walks of life and backgrounds. Serving in the military is definitely something that Robert would recommend to anyone who is not sure of what they want to do after they graduate. It is an experience that he believes, one will never forget and will forever shape a person’s life.

Thank you, Robert, for your service and for being the October Veteran of the Month.