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Friday, March 24, 2006
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Leo's visitation Family learns of Brainerd's regard for uncle Senior Reporter The celebration of Leo Mustonen's life Thursday was less about what was lost than what was gained.
For Leo's two nieces, freshly arrived in Brainerd from Florida, it was about people - family and friends they never knew or hadn't seen in years and the kindness of strangers. Leo's 1938 graduation photo, a folded American flag and an urn engraved with his name and emblazoned with an Army seal were bordered by flowers and family photos.
Leo's nieces - Leane Mustonen Ross and Sister Mary Ruth (Ona Lea Mustonen) - greeted people for the visitation at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd Thursday night. They said they were struck by the wonderful little stories and remembered moments of their uncle, who has been transformed from a name and a face in a black and white photo into a fully realized family member.
Leo Mustonen, a blond 22-year-old Brainerd man, vanished in 1942. Mustonen was one of three aviation cadets and a pilot, all in their 20s, on a routine training flight that left Sacramento on Nov. 18, 1942, and disappeared. Five years after the crash an engine, scattered remains and clothing were discovered far off the plane's course. But there was little relief for the families who were left to wonder about the fate of their loved ones.
More than 60 years later, in October 2005, climbers in the Sierra Nevada mountain range found the frozen, intact body of a World War II-era airman.
Forensic experts and military body recovery specialists melted the 400-pound block of ice and granite that encased the body and airlifted it from 13,710-foot Mount Mendel. Scientists in Hawaii worked several months to confirm Mustonen's identity. Army officials told the family they believe Mustonen jumped from the plane but his parachute, which he was found wearing, did not open. Mustonen plummeted to the ground and a coroner reported he died instantly.
A photo board at the visitation displayed family pictures of Leo as a young man in Brainerd and in California. There are several images of a smiling, handsome young man in uniform holding his first niece. Sister Mary Ruth said it can be a bit strange to look at the photos and realize the young man is holding her.
"He loved me a lot," she said looking at the images. "He wanted to have a family with children. That's one of the sadness' for me - he was never able to achieve that."
Sister Mary Ruth listened to a story about a glider Leo built and attempted to fly with the help of his cousin and a moving car.
Carol Norris, Aitkin, grew up next door to the Mustonen family in Brainerd. Norris said when she heard the news about an airman being found in the Sierra Nevada Mountain glacier she felt in her heart it was Leo.
"There were a lot of us who felt it must be Leo and we hoped it would be," Norris said, adding she prayed the family would bring him back home.
As a mother who lost a son herself, Norris said she understood Anna Mustonen's heartbreak.
Norris said she remembers Leo vaguely as a tall young man in a blue uniform. Norris remembered Anna Mustonen planting moss roses in memory of her son and later did the same thing when she suffered her own loss. Norris said Anna Mustonen often pointed to a flower pot of moss roses and tell her that was "Leo's garden."
"There was never any closure for her," Norris said.
Norris' parents looked out for Leo's mother Anna after her husband Arvid Mustonen died suddenly at home in 1958. The families lived next door to each other for about 30 years. Norris said she clearly remembers Anna Mustonen running over to their home for help the night Arvid died.
"I'm so delighted to come because I haven't seen Ona Lea since we were children," Norris said. "I just never thought I would ever see them again."
Bob Holden grew up in Brainerd and went to school with Leo. They played intramural basketball together. Now a Baxter resident, Holden attended the visitation.
"I'd talk with him in the hallways," Holden said. "I always had a good feeling for (Leo) and wanted to come and see him now. I'm sure he would have grown up to be a fine gentleman. He won't be forgotten, that's for sure."
For Sister Mary Ruth the entire visitation was unexpected.
"The most incredible thing is we discovered family here," said Sister Mary Ruth. Leo's first cousin, Lauri Mustonen, came from Texas for the service. "I did not have any clue it was going to be like this tonight. It's just been awesome."
As for the public interest and media attention, Sister Mary Ruth said that was still somewhat surreal. The story has been depicted on national and international television and print stories, particularly in Finland, and has attracted the attention of the "Oprah Winfrey Show."
Asked what it was about this story that has galvanized people's attention, Sister Mary Ruth said the story reunites a young man, who could be anybody's brother or uncle, with his family. She said war in Iraq has heightened the connection to people serving their country. Finding Leo has the park service looking at the possibility of finding the other crewmen still missing.
"It's just very strong to know he is finally coming home and being laid to rest," she said. "People connections, that's really the neat thing. I did not expect this at all tonight. This is like a homecoming. It's absolutely like a homecoming for Leo in the literal sense and for these people to reconnect with their history, something that doesn't happen so much anymore.
"I think it's brought our family, my sister and I in particular, closer together."
And for the public, both Ross and Sister Mary Ruth said they want people to know how much the military does to bring lost service people home to their families. They said the government treated Leo as a person not simply a body. A military escort accompanied Leo's remains from Hawaii to Brainerd.
"They don't forget," Sister Mary Ruth said.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at First Lutheran Church with the Rev. Andy Smith officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
RENEE RICHARDSON can be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.
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