Park in Idaho to remember inspiration behind new post

Operation Iraqi Freedom U.S. Army veteran Matt Wheeler inspired others in the tiny town of White Bird, Idaho, to charter a new American Legion post in 2016. His fellow veterans in the Salmon River Valley helped him get his life turned around after he came home with post-traumatic stress disorder. His successful road to sobriety and PTSD treatment was described as “river therapy” in the September American Legion Magazine. His story was also referenced in a speech to start off the national membership workshop in August – an expression of not only “who we are and what we do, but why we are.”

On Aug. 28, Wheeler tragically died after an automobile accident near his home in Massachusetts where he was studying to become a recreational therapist for other veterans facing postwar difficulties. He is survived by a 5-year-old daughter.

He was laid to rest with full military honors at the Maine Veterans Cemetery in Augusta, Maine, on Sept. 8.

American Legion Post 152 in White Bird plans to recondition its local veterans memorial park to make Wheeler’s recovery – and the power of American Legion veteran-to-veteran support – an inspiration for generations to come. The post’s goal is to have the park fully restored by July 4, 2018, a project Post 152 Adjutant Homer Brown, who served with Wheeler in the Army, said will cost about $40,000.

Contributions to the Matt Wheeler Fund to rebuild the park can be made to Department of Idaho American Legion, 901 West Warren Street, Boise, ID, 83706, or by visiting the donate page of the Department of Idaho website at www.legion.org/idaho.