Thursday, October 8, 2020
My deepest sympathies and condolences to the Becker family. Leo was a kind, caring, compassionate, community minded patriot. I met Leo when I joined Post 131 in 1984. He was so welcoming to a new member especially since I was a WAVE , which gave us an instant bond. Over the years we became close and our families attended various events together, including the legion convention in Wildwood. He was always a wealth of information and willing to help whenever he could. In the early nineties after discussing starting a color guard for the Post Leo was the man behind the scenes that got us started. We practiced behind the legion with our drills. I attended in the beginning only to take pictures but he soon convinced me to join the squad, which I could do since I was a veteran. We attended several parades annually and in 1999 our color guard won Senior Post Color Guard at the NJ State legion convention parade. Leo could not have been more proud of us.
In 1996 Leo again had a vision to build a War Memorial for veterans in Warren County who were killed when serving their country from WWI through the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. He contacted around 30-40 people throughout the county in all areas not just veterans. Meetings were held, fundraising was discussed and committees were set up to proceed with his vision. So by November 11, 1997 we held the groundbreaking ceremony and on November 11, 1998 we unveiled the memorial during a ceremony. Several hundred residents and elected officials attended this event. We affectionately referred to Leo as the Godfather of the War Memorial.
Leo was also one of four original members who helped charter The American Legion, Carl D. Archer Post 528 in White Twp.
Leo will be missed not only by his family but all of us in his legion family. His shy boyish grin and that twinkle in his eye will be forever in my heart.
I want to wish my fellow sailor Leo 'Fair winds and following seas'. As the motto of the Navy-not for self but for country with the values of honor, commitment and courage which we learned in boot camp-sums up what kind of man he was. You will be missed but always carried in my heart.
Milly Rice, Post 528 Adjutant,
WC War Memorial Secretary and most of all, your friend.
