By MaryBeth Matzek | Photography by Hillary Schave
Whether someone needed a pen or supplies for a tank, it fell to Melissa Doud and her fellow U.S. Army supply sergeants to fill the request.
“You learn a lot of teamwork, discipline and patience when in the military,” says Doud about her experience in the Army. “You build up trust with those around you so you can work together.”
Doud is the tribal veteran liaison for the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs and a member of the Lac du Flambeau Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa Indians . Her father and uncle were in the Army, along with other relatives and friends. She recalls coming home after her first semester in college and seeing family members in their uniforms and felt “so in awe of them and realizing there was a bigger purpose out there than what I was doing.”
Doud found an Army recruiter, signed up and spent 20 years in the service. As a supply sergeant, she served in South Korea, Oklahoma, Alaska, Hawaii, Kentucky and Fort McCoy in West Central Wisconsin. She also did a tour of duty in Iraq. “I learned a lot about sacrifice when I was in Iraq and had to be away from my family for so long,” Doud reflects. “When I got home, my youngest didn’t recognize me. It was very hard.”
After leaving the Army, she worked for her tribe and the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Chippewa Valley Bank and LDF Business Development Corp. When she saw the tribal liaison position open with the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, Doud applied right away.
“Not all veterans are aware of the resources available to them,” she says. “I do my best to help them to make sure everyone gets the help they need.”
A jingle dress dancer, Doud attends powwows and cultural events, using those occasions to connect with veterans and tribal leaders. Doud explains her regalia is adorned with eagle feathers, flag scarves and dog tags and she pairs it with an Army medallion. Her war club represents going into battle.
“I’ll dance and then talk with the people there to raise awareness about the Department of Veterans Affairs,” she says.
Doud also works with tribes to learn their areas of needs and then gathers information and solutions to help them with their specific needs, whether it’s mental health concerns or homelessness.
“I’m a strong advocate and help them the best I can,” she says.
