Iroquois Post 1587 Commander Ron Cook Jr. Honors Leonard Wheeler at the National Native American Veterans Memorial Unveiling Dedication
Submitted by Ronald Cook, Jr., Post Commander of Iroquois Post #1587
Above: The Seneca Nation and Iroquois Post #1587 Honor Warriors Buried at Arlington National Cemetery. L-R Post Chaplain Marvin Abrams, Post Commander Ron Cook Jr, Color Guard Sandra Redeye, Arlington National Cemetery Executive Director Karen Durham-Aguilera, Color Guard Wayne Steeprock, SNI Elected Official Elmer Logan (Sgt@Arms), Color Guard Jim Papas, Arlington National Cemetery Sergeant Major Thomas, Color Guard Nancy Scott, Honoree Family Representative Leonard Wheeler, Seneca Nation Spiritual Leader Alan George, Portrait Honorees Maxwell Lay (Right), and Sheldon Lay (Left). Photo credit: Bella Cook.
MSG LEONARD WHEELER, U.S. AIR FORCE WAR VETERAN
Leonard R. Wheeler born November 01, 1948, is a U.S. Air Force War Veteran, enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians and of the Beaver Clan. Leonard grew up on the Cattaraugus Territory attended the Thomas Indian School and Graduated from Gowanda Central High School in 1966 and would go on to earn an Aviation Management & Electronics Engineering degree from the Metropolitan State College in Denver, Colorado. After college, he decided to follow his brothers Alfred and Malcolm Wheeler and joined the Armed Forces and enlisted in U.S. Air Force in November 1968. Leonard received numerous intense technology maintenance training in bombing & navigational systems and in-flight avionics for the B-52 Bomber Aircraft. After receiving this specialized training, Leaonard received order to Anderson Air Force Base, Guam in support of combat operation in Southeast Asia and received commendations for his role in “Red Ball” maintenance during operation “Arc Light” in support of the Vietnam War efforts in the Republic of Vietnam.
Honorably Discharged on November 06, 1972, Leonard returned to the United States and secured employment with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Principal Aviation Safety Inspector working 17-years until joining the Montana Air National Guard in December 1989. While assigned to the 120th Fighter Wing, he received advanced avionics training for the F-16 “Fighting Falcon” Aircraft. After completing nine-years as an avionics technician Leonard transferred to aircraft maintenance-command & control operations to ensure all unit F-16 fighter jets were combat ready.
Shortly after re-entering the Armed Forces, the first Gulf War broke into action in 1990-1991 where Leonard supported his Wing during operation “Desert Storm” and participated in numerous national security air defense missions to include Red Flag Operations in Alaska and Nevada, cold weather operations at Cold Lake, Canada, drug interdiction operations in the Caribbean, and Joint Air Defense Operations in South Korea. Leonard finally received orders to be forward deployed to Balad Air Force Base, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004 and again 2008 in support of combat operations on Global War on Terrorism.
Leonard’s awards and decorations are many and commendable to name a few:
• Iraqi Freedom Campaign Medal
• Air Force Expeditionary Medal
• Korean Defense Service Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
Leonard resides in Montana and it’s because of the noble Selfless-Service of our brave War Veterans like Master Sergeant Leonard Wheeler that Native Americans in general still proudly serve in large portions per capita in the Armed Forces today and he will remain as an admired Warrior for generations to come.
Leonard Wheeler is also a dedicated member of American Legion Iroquois Post 1587 for 37-years. The Seneca Nation of Indians and Iroquois Post would like to thank Master Sergeant Leonard Wheeler for his dedicated service to our Nation and for his bold and fearless actions during time of War exemplifies him as an admired Warrior and Hero.
Leonard achieved the highest rank of “Master Sergeant” and is being recognized with the highest honor and presented with an Eagle Feather for his dedicated service on behalf of a grateful Nation, we thank him for his service and welcome him HOME! Nya:wëh!
Seneca Nation Elected Official Presents Gift to Arlington National Cemetery – Corn Husk Action Figure of Seneca Warrior Carrying Eagle Staff.
Photo: Arlington National Cemetery Executive Director Karen Durham-Aguilera, Receives Gift from SNI Elected Official Elmer Logan (Sgt@Arms).
Iroquois Post #1587 Commander Ron Cook Jr. Honors Leonard Wheeler at the National Native American Veterans Memorial Unveiling Dedication.
Photo collage credited and taken by Michael Garcia
