Others who served

Bud Dilapi (Turtle Clan) enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 in 1959, seeking to "See the World," which he did by sailing across the North Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Black Sea, visiting ports like Athens, Naples, and Istanbul.

He remembers unique experiences, such as being in Jamaica in 1962 for its independence party and being in the best shape of his life, before being honorably discharged as a third-class petty officer in 1965. Despite his travels, he remained close to his family, often returning home to Oneida to see his grandmother.

David Ernenwein (Turtle Clan) used his U.S. Air Force service (1986–1990) to gain discipline and direction before finding success at the Oneida Indian Nation. He began working at Turning Stone Resort Casino when it opened in 1993, eventually becoming the Operations Manager at YBR Casino and Sports Book, a role responsible for all day-to-day operations.

David, who utilized the Nation’s scholarship program to complete his education while working, brings a valuable perspective to his long career, which will reach 30 years in 2023.

Carl Fogelberg (Turtle Clan) began his Army service in 1968 as a firefighter stationed in Alaska, where his initial tour was interrupted by a two-month hospitalization after contracting encephalitis.

Becoming a career military man, Carl re-enlisted and served in various locations, including Fort Hood (Texas), Germany, and Maryland, specializing as a recovery Non-Commissioned Officer and mechanic. He ultimately achieved his goal of retiring as a Sergeant First Class after 20 years of service.

Art Jones (Turtle Clan) was drafted into the Army at age 18 in 1948 and served in Korea during the tense pre-conflict period, stationed at an outpost on the 38th parallel.

A medal-winning sharpshooter, he endured perilous conditions, including a 40-day monsoon season that cut off food supplies and training in temperatures of 40 below zero. However, due to a tough upbringing on the Onondaga Reservation, Art found that even boot camp did not faze him, and he was quickly discharged in 1950 before the Korean War began.

Irv Lyons Jr. (Turtle Clan) is a prominent Syracuse-area singer-songwriter and guitarist who currently serves as the Chief Development Officer for the Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), driven by a passion for education. Music was his early education; he developed an inimitable left-handed style on a right-handed guitar, influenced significantly by Carlos Santana.

Lyons put his music career on hold for 20 years while serving in the U.S. Army, retiring in 2000, but later co-founded the popular roots-rock band The Ripcords and released the critically acclaimed solo album Sisters and Brothers.

Now, he uses his position at the MOST to promote STEM fields, reflecting the Haudenosaunee principle of considering the seventh generation.

Staff Sergeant Patrick McLeod (Bear Clan) enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1985 after four years in the Reserves, where he became an aircraft mechanic specializing in C-130 transport planes, serving tours in locations like Alaska, Saudi Arabia, and Japan.

Although he grew up on the Tuscarora Reservation and has traveled extensively, Patrick intends to return to his ancestral Oneida land upon retirement, as he believes the Nation is making great, progressive strides in areas like housing and land reacquisition.

After retiring from the Air Force in eight years, he plans to acquire computer skills and use them to work for the Nation, with aspirations of becoming involved in its government.