[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 201 (Wednesday, December 6, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF UNITED STATES NAVY COMMANDER LEONARD MERRIMAN 
                                  III

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2023

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate an 
outstanding New Orleans Serviceman, United States Navy Commander 
Leonard Merriman III. Commander Merriman was born on September 27, 
1953, in New Orleans, LA, and was the only child of Mr. Leonard 
Merriman, Jr. and Mrs. Alberta Slocum Merriman.
  Leonard attended Mary D. Coghill Elementary School and went on to 
attend the prestigious St. Augustine High School (``St. Aug.'') in New 
Orleans, Louisiana, where he excelled and became a member of the 
football and track & field teams. Leonard quickly gained a reputation 
at school for his various competitive endeavors as a tough, ``never-
give-up'', and fearless guy. This was never more on display than when 
Leonard would speed off to school at St. Aug on his motorcycle at 16 
years old. Leonard would go on to graduate from St. Aug as a member of 
the class of 1971 and later that same year, he joined the United States 
Navy.
  The Navy gave Leonard the adventure he craved and the structure that 
he needed. For Leonard, the Navy allowed him the opportunity to attend 
the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland as a ``Mid-
Shipman.'' While at the Academy, Leonard also played football and 
became a world-class boxer in his weight class. He then attended the 
University of North Carolina Central where he earned his undergraduate 
degree.
  Leonard also always had a dream of flying. While still in high school 
Leonard learned to fly planes by becoming friends with a Black Pilot 
who worked at Lakefront Airport near Pontchartrain Park. Armed with 
this knowledge when Leonard joined the Navy, he was presented with a 
golden opportunity, the choice to attend Navy Flight School at NAS 
Pensacola.
  With that choice in hand, Leonard decided to attend flight school and 
became a Naval Aviator. He was then assigned for duty aboard the USS 
Coral Sea aircraft carrier. While in the Navy Leonard piloted the A-7 
Corsair and the F-18 Hornet aircraft. During his service, he would 
achieve the rank of Commander and serve as the Commanding Officer of 
the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Mobile Maintenance Facility 
0582. In his civilian career, Leonard decided to continue to fly for 
commercial airlines as a pilot for TWA, MESA, U.S. Airways, and 
American, just to name a few.
  Leonard was involved in many activities and organizations. Some of 
these included, being a member of Progress Lodge No 16, Prince Hall 
Affiliate, the National Black Pilot Association, Son of a Saint, The 
St. Augustine High School Alumni Association, The Silverback Society, 
the National Rifle Association (NRA), and Director of the Future 
Airline Pilots of New Orleans.
  On October 19, 2023, Leonard went to be with his Heavenly Father. He 
was predeceased in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Merriman, 
Jr. He leaves behind three children: his eldest son, Leonard ``Lenny'' 
Merriman IV, and his wife Jeanine Young Merriman, daughter Lucretia 
Merriman, and his youngest son Leonard ``Leo'' Merriman IV. He is also 
survived by his grandchildren, Charlotte Merriman, and Myles Leonard 
Merriman, who were the absolute apples of his eye, and a host of other 
relatives and friends too countless to mention.
  His legacy will live on through the bonds of friendship he made over 
the years and all those whose lives he touched. He will be remembered 
as a man who would defend you, was never too busy to help others, would 
strike up a conversation with almost anyone, and a Naval 
circumnavigator twice over.
  At a young age, his family moved to a new home in Pontchartrain Park, 
and the Merrirnan family joined Bethany United Methodist Church located 
in Pontchartrain Park, which remained his home church throughout the 
remainder of his life. A celebration of life is being held today at 
Bethany United Methodist Church.
  I was honored to have Leonard serving in the Louisiana Second 
Congressional District Military Academy Nomination Committee. His 
commitment to the Service Academy program assured key nominations of 
candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S service academies: 
U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY, the U.S. Naval Academy 
(USNA), Annapolis, MD, the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado 
Springs, CO, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, 
NY. The Greater New Orleans Community has suffered the loss of an 
incredible gem. I am proud to say I was able to connect with him during 
my tenure as Congressman. I truly respect the guidance and support he 
gave. I am forever grateful for his commitment to our youth, and 
guidance to our program. I will forever carry his direction as I serve 
the Constituents of LA-02. May he forever rest in peace.

                          ____________________