The community lost a great son but the spirit world gained another warrior, teacher and healer when Leopoldo Enriquez crossed over on 30 October 2023. No doubt the Great Creator greeted him with open and loving arms. Known as Leo, he was a longtime resident of El Paso and a member of the Mescalero Apache Nation. He graduated from El Paso Technical School then was inducted into the US Army in 1965 serving in Vietnam as a Helicopter Mechanic and Crew Member.
Leo worked in the trucking industry virtually all his post military life where he was a member of several veteran organizations including VFW Post 812, Benavidez-Patterson All Airborne Chapter and Special Forces Association Chapter IX - the Isaac Camcho Chapter. Leo would conduct Apache Warrior Blessing Ceremony for Sergeant Major Academy students before they left Fort Bliss after graduating. The photo below is Leo conducting a warrior Blessing Ceremony at rhe VFW 812 parade ground. Additionally, Leo and Chapter Chaplain John Szilvasy (RIP) would jointly conduct memorial services for fallen Chapter members buried at the Fort Bliss National Cemetary. These ceremonies were very dignified and not likely replicated anywhere else.
Leo was a fixture at the annual Chapter IX golf tournament's running the "Apache Junction" grill. He was also passionate and very active in the Native American Veteran Community at Powwows and memorial events. Although Leo will be missed by all who knew him, those family members left to cherish his memory are his wife Teresa, daughter Ann Marie, son Leopoldo Junior, brother Thomas, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
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