Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / April 17, 2003, edition 1 / Page 10
Part of Elon University Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Page 10 • Thursday, April 17, 2003 NEWS The Pendulum Local Navy officer continues family legacy Photos Submitted Petty Officer Second Class Spencer Wheeler poses with his chil dren Spencer and Jessica Wheeler % I ^ '-V., y 'a S y - ' ■ >f=f ' * f Wheeler demonstrates proper technique in a search and seizure. Wheeler's team watches for possible contraband. WHEELER from Page 1 steady income during the reces sion of the early 1990s. Spencer remained in the military to help pay for his daughter’s multiple surgeries, including the removal of a brain tumor and several eye surgeries. Spencer’s daughter Jessica is 12 and his son Spencer is 11. Both children live with their mother and have high ambitions for the future. Jessica is a promising young jour nalist, having already published a small magazine about her Pokemon league, according to Mrs. Wheeler. Spencer said he wants to go into police work, claiming he won’t pursue military service like his father and grandfa ther. Jessica and Spencer have grown up with an understanding of the unpredictable nature and demands of military service, as their father has served in various locations for differing lengths of time throughout their lives. After being stationed on the west coast upon entry into the navy, Wheeler was deployed on the USS Cleveland in 1994 just before the start of the first Gulf War. Returning from Iraq, Spencer served as a recruitment officer in Richmond, Va., for two and a half years to be closer to his children, according to Mr. Wheeler. Spencer then rejoined the fieet on the USS Bataan. His most recent assignment was in Afghanistan. Spencer relumed home from Afghanistan in May 2002 for a relaxing holiday with his family, the Wheelers said. Spencer was redeployed in late December, when he returned to Iraq on the USS Bataan. According to the Wheelers, Spencer was fortunate, as most who were deployed received very little notice. Currently, Spencer works in many capacities aboard the USS Battan, refueling and loading and unloading ammunition and other supplies for the marines who trav el aboard his ship. Spencer is a member of the “Vessel Boarding Search and Seizure Team” and works in ship security. The search and seizure team searches small passing ves.sels for contraband. The Wheeler family hears often of Spencer’s daily tasks, accomplishments and routine, as they exchange letters, e-mails and telephone calls when possible, according to Mrs. Wheeler. In addition to all of Spencer’s re.sponsibilities, Je.ssica comment ed that her father often writes home about being tired from a hard day’s work or bored on the ship at sea. Mrs. Wheeler reminded Jessica that her father often wrote home that he loves her and misses her. Jessica’s brother, Spencer, added that his dad tells him he’s looking forward to coming home, hopefully this summer. Usually, fleets spend about six months aboard a ship before returning home, Mr. Wheeler said. “There have been rumors that they may release his battle group,” a group of ships .sailing together in one fleet, Mrs. Wheeler said. The USS Abraham Lincoln and its battle group recently have been released and the USS Bataan could follow in the next few months, according to Mr. Wheeler. Everyone in the Wheeler fami ly hopes for Spencer’s return home, but the family understands Spencer’s commitment to the United Slates aniied forces and the importance of serving when called. As Wheeler is in Iraq, he joins a great line of militar>’ figures including his ratlior. who fought in the Vietnam War. Spcnicr'- givat undo was killed in Guam as a Na\y Coqisman assiynod lo ihe Marine Corps and Spencer’s great-great uncle was a naval war hero in World War II. As captain of the USS England during WWII, Spencer’s great-great uncle received the Navy Cross after commanding his ship to sink six Japanese marine submarines in 10 days, which, according to Mr. Wheeler, changed the course of the war in the Pacific. “I guess it’s necessary,’’ Mrs. Wheeler said, regarding the deployment of U.S. servicemen and women to Iraq. Spencer, however, sees little ntxessary about the loss of time he has to speiKi with his dad. “I don't want him over there: lie doesn’t get to spend enough time with me," Spencer said, echoing the calls of children acn)Ns .America wht> wait for their paa’nis to return home fn)m war. onhu I Jes ’iicu Patchcti at pen dulum clonxJk or 2 'h-~24 The USS Bataan sails outside of Iraq. The battle group may return home within a few months.
Elon University Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
April 17, 2003, edition 1
10
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75