American Legion Beaufort Post 207 brings you Leon Meadows, 68, who joined the U.S. Air Force in Moorhead City, N.C., in 1976. After Basic Training at Lackland AFB, Texas, he trained as an Aircraft Fuel Systems Technician at Chanute AFB, Ill. His first assignment was at Pope AFB, N.C., where he spent four years servicing aircraft there, at Mildenhall, England and at bases in the Middle East, on Greenland and in the Azores. In 1980 he transferred to the USAF Reserves subject to call-up, returned to Moorhead City and got married. On his wedding day, he was recalled to active duty immediately and shipped that day to Mildenhall for four months. When he returned, he began 11 years of Civil Service work as an aircraft mechanic at MCAS Cherry Point. While there he used the GI Bill to earn an associate degree in business administration and credentials in A/C refrigeration and auto mechanics.
In 1991 he attended the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary at Wake Forest and was ordained in 1993. He moved to Beaufort to be the Pastor at Riverview Baptist Church where, after 32 years, he still serves alongside Linda, that wife he left for duty 45 years ago. He has also been a volunteer Pastor for the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy for the Lowcountry and an instruction coordinator for World Changers.
Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
