Ongoing FR Analysis: Jack Wheeler Murder

cnn.com ^ | January 9, 2011 | Susan Candiotti and Ross Levitt

[Albion Wilde]

Wilmington, Delaware (CNN) -- Police have found homicide victim John Wheeler's cell phone, according to a taxi driver who was interviewed by investigators this week.

Athel Scott told CNN National Correspondent Susan Candiotti that police told him they found the cab driver's number in the phone of Wheeler, the former Pentagon official who was found dead in a Delaware landfill. He said investigators wanted to know how his number got there. Scott... says he told the police he didn't have any idea.

"I never got a call from the man. I don't know him... He's never been in my cab. I don't know how my number got in his cellphone," Scott says he told police...

[WestCoastGal]

Also, something I read on the Examiner site - “B. Scott Morris (Wheeler’s new next-door neighbor, who allegedly saw Prometheus launching fiery projectiles into the Marini house) and Wheeler didn’t hit it off in their first conversation. When Morris said at the end “I didn’t get your name,” Wheeler replied “Call me Sally” and walked away.

At first, I thought this was a wrinkle on an old joke featuring the words “Call me Sally,” which I took to mean that Wheeler’s a funny guy.

But here’s the thing. B. Scott Morris played/plays percussion in a band called “Cure for Pain.” It’s a “Morphine” tribute band, (long story) started by Morris’ old friend Jon Monck. Jon Monck plays in several other local bands, too, one of which is called...are you ready for this....”I’m not Sally.”

Puts the “Call me Sally” remark in a different light maybe, eh?

________________________________________________________

Makes me think he did background checks on everyone.

[WestCoastGal]

Me too.

The police and FBI are working on it.
I just wish the liberal rag newspapers etc
would shut the hell up.

how about print a story about Jack the man,
his service to his county and and his
fellow servicemen.

Where is the 21 gun salute?

_____________________________________________________

Still waiting :( I hope his Arlington ceremony will bring out a lot of vets.

[apocalypto]

This is my point also. The silence is deafening. This month I have come across of only one Web site (other than this one) ask why there is almost no attention in the media to Jack Wheeler’s murder.

[apocalypto]

I agree. And I feel frustrated. I have been writing letters to the editor and to Web sites. So far this month I have come across only one that mentioned the lack of information (and mentioned this thread). I fear there is an inclination to drop Jack Wheeler homicide investigation like it was done with the Anna Nicole Smith case.

[WestCoastGal]

Bump for Jack

[smoothsailing]

It mattered not what politicians argued.
It mattered not what history would reveal.
We had no expectation but to serve where duty called us.
We asked for no reward except a nation’s thanks.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT WARRIORS REMEMBERED

Every memorial is unique and has its own unique story. Years of research have given Albert Nahas a perspective to make each memorial come to life with details and anecdotes most visitors would not uncover on their own. Excellent work for all war veterans.

Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore USA (Ret.) and Joseph L. Galloway
Authors of We Were Soldiers Once... and Young and We Are Soldiers Still: A Journey Back to the Battlefields of Vietnam

.........................

Albert Nahas has persisted on a journey that has taken years and thousands of miles in order to compile the material for Warriors Remembered. His stories and photographs will inspire any veteran and are a special gift to Vietnam veterans. Warriors Remembered is a treasure for anyone who has seen war or been affected by it. You can tell it is written by a warrior who has "been there".

John Wheeler, Founding Chairman
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

.........................

I strongly encourage any one with an interest in the Vietnam War and its aftermath to read this very moving and inspiring book. Our society finally began to remember the soldiers of the Vietnam War. Warriors Remembered captures the memorials, their stories and the feelings of that period in an exceptional manner.

Jan C. Scruggs, Founder and President
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

.....................

For years after the end of the war, the Vietnam veterans' quest for recognition for their service and the sacrifice of their fallen comrades went mostly unheeded. Recognition finally began, led most often by their own brothers in arms. In a tremendous personal undertaking of excellent photography and story telling, Albert Nahas has completed an astonishing collection of one hundred of the resulting memorials. The last line of his poem says it all, "We asked for no reward except a nation's thanks." This Vietnam veteran has made it his personal mission to bring that "Thank you for your service" to every veteran. Like the memorials themselves, Warriors Remembered is a long overdue Welcome Home for all Vietnam veterans.

H. Ross Perot

............................................................................................................................................................................................................

FROM THE JOHN P. WHEELER III MEMORIAL WEBSITE...

Memory by Albert Nahas Mar 12, 2011

I was preparing a copy of my book Warriors Remembered for Jack when I heard of this terrible tragedy. When writing the book, Jack was extremely helpful in sharing his story of the memorials at West Point and The Wall in Washington, D.C. and also in recommending others to me for their stories. I really could not thank him enough for his contributions to Warriors Remembered, but more importantly for all that he did over a lifetime for Vietnam veterans. His pioneering effort in building these two memorials set an example for many others throughout the country.

Jack's loss is felt by every Vietnam veteran and every member of the Long Grey Line. Jack will be missed by all who knew him and by all whose cause he championed. He was truly our nation's servant.

Jack and his family are in our prayers.

Albert Nahas - USMA '67

[hoosiermama]

Am back...safe and sound(CA and HI were exciting! Tsunami, earthquake and ride in Helicopter to see lava flow in one 24 hr period...) Pray for all in this part of the world, there is more to come.

Was hoping this would be solved before return. BUMP for Jack!

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Welcome home!

[blueplum]

glad you’re safe and sound. now get to work! ha!

[WestCoastGal]

Wow you had an exciting vacation!

Nothing much new here, haven’t looked through Radell’s page lately - last I looked they were going to a group ? I emailed her for access, but got no response.

[apocalypto]

You had quite a trip! I hope I am wrong, but I am growing pessimistic about the investigation.

[hoosiermama]

Shortly after the incident, was watching quite a bit of TV (sick with virus & bacterial infection) On one of the LEO programs they mentioned that it often took 4-6 months to complete lab work......They may be waiting on results before they take action. I suspect that they have a perp in mind.

[apocalypto]

Good point. I hope this is the case.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

I thought more info would be forthcoming after the cause of death was released, after the reward was offered, after the Slate interview and so on and so on.

Someone in the media needs to publicly press about the sealed warrants. I am not suggesting the investigation be compromised. The question which needs to be asked and answered is why are they sealed? Those of us following the case have asked every conceivable question and considered every scenario; until more info is released, this case is going nowhere.

[WestCoastGal]

Bump for Jack - I pray this doesn’t become a cold case!!

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

As a matter of fact, I am working on several drafts of a letter I want to send to a few journalist who seemed to be on top of this in the beginning, perhaps followed by a few letter to Delaware editors.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease. If I must, I am ready to offer a few fingers scraping against a blackboard.

[smoothsailing]

Delaware Vietnam Veterans to honor John Wheeler

March 22, 2011

By John Mussoni

Ken Bodine and Paul Davis hold the brick they will place in honor of John Wheeler next Wednesday at Dover's Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park. (courtsey:www.johnpwheeler.com)

Nearly three months after he first disappeared and a month before he is to be honored at Arlington National Cemetery Delaware's Vietnam Veterans are planning their own honor of John Wheeler.

A brick in memory of Wheeler will be laid the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Dover. The Delaware veterans group will hold a ceremony Wednesday March 30th at 11am at the Kent County Veterans Memorial Park, which was dedicated in November 2009.

Wheeler was last seen in Wilmington during the evening of December 30th. He was found the next day at the Cherry Island Landfill in a dumpster. The dumpster has been traced to the Newark area, although the exact location has never been revealed. Newark Police are the lead investigators. They have searched the area around Wheeler's New Castle home several times looking for evidence. However, they have not released much information about the investigation since the autopsy results were released several weeks ago showing that Wheeler died of blunt force trauma.

All of this comes as a website has been set up to honor Wheeler. Tributes continue to be written at www.johnpwheeler.com.

Recent postings have been written by Anna Duerr from Mother's Against Drunk Driving: "John was a tremendous public servant and an important part of MADD’s early years...(he)served passionately as a volunteer and an executive committee member, in addition to serving as chairman of the board and CEO from 1985 to 1987."

Former classmates have written their tributes as well: "Jack and I shared a special bond in that our fathers were classmates in the West Point Class of January 1943," wrote John Eckert.

And from Albert Nahas: "I was preparing a copy of my book Warriors Remembered for Jack when I heard of this terrible tragedy. When writing the book, Jack was extremely helpful in sharing his story of the memorials at West Point."

Paul Davis, President of the Delaware Vietnam Veterans of America says the honor to Wheeler is appropriate. "His most relevant accomplishment to us and following veterans was his vision and work in making The Wall a reality despite ongoing opposition," he said. Wheeler was considered instrumental in getting the funding portion of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC organized to the point where it could be built.

The group will host Wheeler's widow Katherine Klyce to the hour long ceremony. Klyce has expressed criticism and frustration about the Newark police handling of the investigation. In late April the family will hold a funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery where Wheeler will be buried with full military honors.

SOURCE-WHYY-NEWSWORKS

[BykrBayb]

This will be a fitting tribute.

The best way to honor him would be to solve his murder.

[Sacajaweau]

btt

[smoothsailing]

The best way to honor him would be to solve his murder.

Amen to that.