Current Tenants
American Legion Richard Pogue Post #81
Red Feathered Eagle Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation
(307) 438-7120
University of Wyoming Extension Office
(307) 332-2135
Central Wyoming College – Wind River Extension
(307) 332-3394
Wind River Development Fund
(307) 335-7330
Wind River Food Sovereignty Project
(307) 438-9250
Wind River Veterans Memorial
Native Americans have historically had the highest record of service in the military of all ethnic groups. The Path of Honor – Wind River Veterans Memorial is for all servicemen and women, including Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribal members, members of other tribes, and non-tribal members living on the Wind River Reservation.
The Memorial is a collection of stones to represent the four-eras of service: Pre World Wars and World Wars I & II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and finally the Post-Vietnam & Gulf War Era. A red path, a Native American symbol of courage and commitment to living a purposeful life, winds through the stones. When the viewer completes the path and looks back, the stones form the shape of a buffalo.
From project leader Scott Ratliff, “The buffalo has been a symbol that has stood for strength and courage. We see it as sort of the same symbol as a warrior. A warrior protects and provides, and so does the buffalo.”
A Convergence of Common Needs
American Legion Post #81 was originally chartered in 1946 and named after Richard Pogue, the first veteran from the Wind River Indian Reservation to give his life for his country. Pogue, a member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, served in the U.S. Navy and was killed during World War II. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
In June of 1950, Frank B. Wise, one of the original 14 founding members of Post #81, donated 2.6 acres of land for the purpose of building a post home. Although attempted many times, the group continued to encounter financial barriers that prohibited this vision from becoming a reality for over 50 years.
In 2007, Wind River Development Fund was experiencing a phase of organizational growth. We were outgrowing the small office behind Hines General Store, and we quickly came up against the same challenge that so many of our local entrepreneurs encounter. There simply wasn’t the physical infrastructure in place to accommodate new or growing firms.
Through our search for larger office space, we formed a partnership with American Legion Richard Pogue Post #81. This perhaps uncommon partnership was based on a common need: Our local entrepreneurs lacked the support they needed, and at the same time, our veteran military warriors also lacked the place of honor they deserved.
The Legion provided a 99-year lease of the land to Wind River Development Fund. In return, we secured grant funding to construct the facility that would become home to both entities, as well as provide space for additional businesses. The unique partnership aimed at recognizing and supporting our economic and military warriors resulted in the development of the Frank B. Wise Business Plaza.
Frank B. Wise
Mr. Frank B. Wise, a member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, served in the U.S. Army as an infantryman during World War II in both the Pacific Theater and European Theater from 1942 to 1945. His campaigns included the Aleutian Islands and Northern France. He received several decorations, including the American Service Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Mr. Wise was one of the original charter members of the American Legion Richard Pogue Post #81 and donated 2.6 acres of land so that the post could someday have a building to house their operations. At one point Mr. Wise served as commander of Post #81, and he was a member of the Legion until he passed away.