In the summer of 1945, Leonard Sheldon wrote a letter to his parents.
The first line read, “The war will be over soon, I cannot tell you why.”
Leonard had just witnessed the first and only testing of Oppenheimer’s Atom Bomb.
Stationed in New Mexico, Leonard rose to 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Air Corps. At 20 years old he became a Lead Navigator in the B-29 program - the aircraft mission destined to end World War II in the Pacific.
Meanwhile, Leonard’s best friend and future wife, Eileen Beebe, found her way into the photographic background of the world-famous Times Square “smooch” celebrating the end of the War - and a new beginning. These two iconic photos of the 20th Century - Oppenheimer’s end of World War II and the Times Square euphoria, (when the Sailor kisses the Nurse) - placed Leonard and Eileen in front-row seats to history.
Leonard Sheldon often said it was a very dynamic time to be alive. Plans and dreams were put on hold in order to save the world. After World War II everyone wanted to “catch up, double-time and all at once!”
In the 1950s and 60s, Leonard and Eileen would have 6 children. As an architect, Leonard designed and settled at Wildwood Lake, naming it all “Northampton.”
He created many modern-day structures but he also had a vision. Along the way, he was hired to tear down Carnegie Hall! But he convinced the owner to save it (!) And he was on the design team for the U.S. Exhibit in Moscow – setting the stage for the famous Nixon-Khrushchev “Kitchen Debate”.
Daring, Duty, Purpose - are traits young Lieutenant Leonard would master late into his 70s.
He was truly a leader in “The Greatest Generation”!
---The Sheldon Family---
