Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

By Isaac White

A golf tournament was held on Saturday in honor of Akwesasne Veteran Mr. Jack Leaf. His 99th birthday was the impetus for the event and plenty of Akwesasronon came out to celebrate the momentous occasion. The atmosphere at Cedar View Golf was bright and sunny, as was the weather on the day of the event.

Snapping some pictures of the golfers and seeing the happiness in general was enjoyable and the atmosphere was upbeat. It was Mr. Leaf, however, who was being honored, that was the true draw.

After leaving the golf course and heading to the American Legion, the idea of speaking with Mr. Leaf was a wonderous prospect. While chatting at a table during the celebration following the tournament, Mr. Leaf decided it best to find a quieter place to talk. Three Feathers Café on Monday he said and one thing I do well is follow directions.

I was told by a friend of his that "Jack drives, he still motors around." So as I checked in to Three Feathers Café as instructed by Leaf, asking around it was said he hadn't been there yet. Waiting in the car I see Mr. Leaf pulling into the parking lot, effortlessly parking and exiting the car quickly at 99 and with purpose.

We head inside and the kind nature of the WWII Vet is clear right away. He also has what I suspect may have been some rapscallion tendencies in days past. While telling some yarns of his decades as an ironworker and some stories from his time in the Army overseas during the second big war, he lets out a laugh with just a touch of mischievousness. As the twinkle is visible in his eyes, you get the impression that Jack was and still is, a man with an appreciation for the fun stuff in life.

Mr. Leaf is entirely engaging and interesting. Although soft-spoken for the most part, there is no hesitance for storytelling from the man. Just because you don't boom out your words doesn't mean you have nothing to say.

As we sit and talk, the community is ever present. The Akwesasne tradition of togetherness and community spirit is quite apparent. As we sit and Mr. Leaf enjoys his coffee, at least half a dozen people approach him to say good morning and happy belated birthday. He takes it in stride, saying, "Oh that is regular, especially because it's my 99th birthday. A lot of people are congratulating me."

There is a feeling of warmth from Jack, he smiles easily and often, with anecdotes thrown in that illuminate a long well-lived life. No dread of each new trip around the sun for Mr. Leaf. When asked if there are any particular things he notices about growing older he smiled and said, "Well, sometimes I get out of my chair and forget what I got up for." He laughs heartily and joining in that moment of joy is reflexive.

Naturally, asking Jack about his experiences as an Army Veteran of the Second World War is something ripe for discussion. It's a careful question because some vets aren't comfortable talking about their experiences. Mr. Leaf smiles and talks about some of his happenings with an ease that is comforting. He isn't upset to be asked and is happy to share.

He reflects fondly on an Akwesasronon who served in that time period. Jack talks about Bill Cook, his good friend and pilot during WWII from Akwesasne. Mr. Leaf tells a story of Cook flying a plane around the territory. When asked if the legends are true and accurate, he says with a grin, "Yes it's true. That happened and Bill was a great pilot and friend."

Mr. Leaf said a bit more about his time serving in the Army. His job was to help find and bring back, American combatants remains from the European theater during WWII. Jack says something more than once that alerts. One of his duties was as part of the team who relieved the American fighters who clashed with Axis enemies during the well known Battle of the Bulge. As he recounts how close he came to being part of that tough fight, his eyes are straight ahead, serious, then the twinkle reappears. "It was close. Yeah I was this close to being there," said Mr. Leaf.

Iron work was what Jack talked about most. It's clear as day that he loved climbing the iron. He's very proud of his decades in the union. The job was quite different back then according to Jack. He said he began as an ironworker when he was only 15 years old. Taken aback may not fully express the reaction when he says it.

But there is no hint that he felt exploited doing that work as such a young man. The pride he takes in his storied career is evident. Jack is in his element talking about his years with Buffalo Local 6, where Jack says he lived for years before coming back to Akwesasne in the 60's.

He talks about golf briefly. One thing that made him extremely proud is that Carey Terrance Jr. was at his tournament and he enjoyed the company of the young man. "It's so exciting for everyone, the whole community. We were watching close when he got drafted," Leaf says of the first of its kind moment in Akwesasne having one of its own taken in the NHL draft.

Mr. Leaf says that golf became something he truly enjoyed, even if it wasn't initially of interest to him. He was invited by a friend to go shoot 9 holes. In good spirit he made his way to the course. Following his first excursion on the course, Jack said he quickly bought a set of clubs.

"Probably shouldn't have bought the clubs," he said chucklingly.

His love for golf could have been ignited while he was in Europe during the War. Mr. Leaf tells a quick but interesting tale of an invite turned down.

"I had a chance to play golf in Scotland...During the War. I turned it down. There was a couple of guys on furlough and they asked me to go. I said no." When asked why he turned down the offer, Jack said, "My buddy and I decided to go to the French Riviera." Mr. Leaf nods when it's suggested he made the right choice. Certainly, no regrets on the part of Jack, and the love for the game of golf manifested eventually.

Jack Leaf and Carey Terrance Jr.

As Jack talks he speaks a bit about his 99th and how happy he was to see his family. He said that the best gift he got was seeing his family who live in Buffalo. Jack gets his phone out and shows a picture of his family.

"This is the picture that I love," he said.

Mr. Leaf kept referring to the picture and asked if it could be published in the paper. As he kept returning to the photo, you can't help but feel a pull at your heartstrings. Once he was sure the photo would be included in his article, Mr. Leaf smiled and was satisfied.

"That's all I want," he said.

Happy birthday Mr. Leaf. You're a treasure of a man and Akwesasne is proud to celebrate your life and accomplishments.