As part of the Hometown Hero Speaker Series, Stephen Zoeller will be sharing his personal story at the Southwest Florida Military Museum & Library from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 25.

The 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 astronauts walking on the moon holds special significance for Indiana native, Stephen Zoeller. Now a Southwest Florida resident, he worked on the Apollo program at Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center in Life Support, earning a certificate for work done on the Apollo 11 lunar landing launch. 

Along with personally knowing several American pioneer astronauts, Zoeller was given various achievement awards related to the U.S. program. After the Apollo 1 fire, during a pre-flight test in 1967 which claimed three American astronauts, he received a special honor awarded to NASA employees and contractors for outstanding achievements related to human flight safety or mission success. 

He also earned a certificate for work done on the Apollo 8 mission, which included two medallions that were made of the metal from the seat brackets that held the first astronauts to leave earth’s orbit and circle the moon.

Today, Zoeller, an ordained minister, is founder and CEO of Zoeller Ministries & “Kids Racing For Life”.

The public is invited to hear Zoeller’s tell his personal story at the SWFMM&L located at 4820 Leonard Street in Cape Coral. The free event is co-sponsored by Michael Dreikorn and Real Estate Broker Rich Livingston.