Donnie Leo-Ford Levens American Legion Post 1995 named for Long Beach hero
By Toni Miles
SSgt. Donnie Levens
Names, a lifetime identifier, are important ; and, for a select few, their name goes on to live in perpetuity, leaving a legacy and honor for generations to come.
Such is the case for Staff Sergeant (SSgt.) Donnie Leo-Ford Levens, a Long Beach native who served the nation well in his role in the United States Marine Corps, making not only the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms Americans enjoy today, but also sacrificing his life for a fellow Marine he served with, that comrade’s wife and unborn child, as explained by his mother Margaret Levens at the Signing of the Charter Ceremony, officially assigning the new official name – the SSgt. Donnie Leo-Ford Levens American Legion Post 1995 – to the veterans’ organization’s auxiliary post in Long Beach.
“He [her son, SSgt. Donnie Levens] left [for the Marines] three days after he turned eighteen,” Ms. Margaret Levens said to the crowd of more than one hundred people who attended the name-changing ceremony at the Long Beach Senior Center in early April. “He was not even supposed to be in Djibouti, Africa, when he was. His buddy’s [a fellow Marine’s] wife was pregnant, and she was having trouble with the pregnancy, so he changed places. In my heart, he saved three lives – the mom’s, the dad’s and the baby’s, and that’s the kind of person that Donnie was. He was always willing to sacrifice whatever it took to help whoever, in his own quiet way. He didn’t want to be recognized.”
But he was and has been.
“It takes so many to give us the freedoms we have today,” Long Beach Mayor George Bass told the crowd. “It’s an honor to have the ability to stand here and honor Donnie and Margaret.
“We still have M.I.A.s and P.O.W.s who are still missing today,” Mayor Bass continued. “Donnie was a unique child. I say that because I think he was driven even then [when he was a kid].
“He knew what he wanted…It will take a lot to try to fill his shoes,” the mayor said, referencing the pair of size 16 shoes that belonged to Donnie Levens that Ms. Levens had placed on the podium at the event.
Assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, Marine Air Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, Donnie Levens was deployed to Djibouti as part of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. While flying a training mission on February 17, 2006, in the vicinity of Ras Siyyan, Djibouti, his CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter was involved in a mid-air collision and crashed into the Gulf of Aden. He was among eight Marines and two airmen killed that day. Levens was promoted posthumously to Staff Sergeant (SSgt.).
Over the years, many honors have been bestowed upon SSgt. Donnie Levens.
“American Legion Long Beach Mississippi Post 1995 was honored when Gold Star Mother Margaret Levens gave us permission to rename the Post after her (our) fallen hero,” says Ray Chavarre, Commander of the SSgt. Donnie Leo-Ford Levens American Legion Post 1995 in Long Beach.
Dozens of Levens’s relatives, friends and even classmates from high school gathered for the ceremony honoring Levens and his contributions.
Also in attendance were members of the American Legion in Long Beach, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 1995, David Benson, Department of Mississippi American Legion Commander, and Long Beach Mayor George Bass, who both shared remarks at the ceremony.
The Signing of the Charter Ceremony started with an Introduction, followed by an invocation by Father Michael Austin and the Pledge of Allegiance. Next, the Context of the Charter Ceremony took place, followed by the Introduction of Dignitaries. After that, an award and recognition was given to past (Long Beach American Legion) Commander Bill Moran for his efforts in the local Post’s official name change. After remarks by Margaret Levens, Bass, Chavaree, and Benson, the official Signing of the Charters for the official name change of the post to the SSgt. Donnie Leo-Ford Levens American Legion Post 1995 took place. Father Austin then led the Benediction, and the ceremony closed, followed by food and fellowship among those in attendance.
During a commencement address at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in May of 2006, then-President George W. Bush singled out graduating family members of SSgt Levens, telling them that “America honors the services of Donnie Levens.”
Levens graduated from Long Beach High School in 1998 before joining the United States Marine Corps.
He received two Good Conduct Medals from the Commandant of the Marine Corps. After graduating with top scholastic honors from the Aviation Ordnanceman Course in Pensacola in 1999, he was designated as an MOS 6541 (Aviation Ordnance Systems Technician). Also in 1999, then-Lance Corporal Levens was recognized for earning the highest course average in the H-1 Armament “O” Level Maintenance Course and for his “infectious enthusiasm and indomitable spirit de corps.”
Lastly, he was awarded the Air Medal for the “successful completion of eighty-nine combat sorties over Iraq, (where) he contributed materially to the success of national objectives in the liberation of the Iraqi people.
Besides his meritorious service in the Marines, Levens has been recognized numerous times for his volunteering and offering special assistance. While stationed in Hawaii, he volunteered at Kailua Elementary School, participating in fund raising activities, Fund Faire Projects, mentoring students, and Fun Run for Technology.
Born on July 10, 1980, the life of Donnie Levens was one well-lived, his reach global; and now his name, legacy and sacrifice will live on to be honored for generations to come through the SSgt. Donnie Leo-Ford Levens American Legion Post 1995.
