Ep 225: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Marcelle Leis P1 on hmTv

Episode 225 (Part 1) – The Fog of War and Humanity with Marcelle Leis

In this first part of a powerful two-episode conversation, host Richard Acritelli speaks with Marcelle Leis, a 24-year Air National Guard veteran and leader with the Suffolk County Veterans Services Agency.

Marcelle shares her journey from growing up in Belmore, Long Island, to making the unexpected decision to enlist in the Air National Guard in 1989. She reflects on her early days at Lackland Air Force Base, the challenges of joining as a young woman at the end of the Cold War, and how teamwork, mentorship, and a sense of mission transformed what began as a search for college money into a lifelong career of service.

Listeners will hear about Marcelle’s experiences at the Roslyn and Westhampton bases, her path into leadership as a First Sergeant, and the historical backdrop of the late 1980s and early 1990s—from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the shifting role of the U.S. military.

This episode sets the stage for Part 2, where Marcelle opens up about 9/11, deployment to Kuwait, and her leadership journey supporting airmen through decades of conflict.

Transcript

The Fog of War and Humanity – Episode 225, Part 1

Host: Richard Acritelli
Guest: Marcelle Leis

Richard Acritelli:
Hello, this is Rich Acritelli here on hmTv with The Fog of War and Humanity.

My special guest today is Marcelle Leis from the Suffolk County Veterans Services Agency. Marcelle has dedicated her career to helping veterans across our local and state communities, and it’s an honor to welcome her here at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center. Marcelle, thank you for being with us. Can you start by telling us a little about where you grew up?

Marcelle Leis:
Thank you, Rich. It’s wonderful to be here today and to have this opportunity to talk about our lived experiences as military service members.

I actually grew up in Nassau County—Belmore to be exact. I was a girl of the ’70s and ’80s with the big Long Island hair. [laughs] At that time, there was really no encouragement for women to join the military. I went to John F. Kennedy High School, although I’ll admit I didn’t show up as often as I should have.

After high school, I didn’t go straight to college. My grades weren’t where they needed to be, so I worked full-time as a secretary in Garden City. My dad was a Navy veteran and worked for Pan Am, so our family traveled a lot, but we didn’t really talk much about military service. I’m the oldest of three and the only daughter—so when I decided, four years after graduation, that I wanted to join the service, it was a real shock to everyone.

On December 1, 1988, I gave myself an ultimatum: either I make the decision by that day or I don’t join at all. So I cold-called a recruiter at the Roslyn Air National Guard Station on Long Island. Before I knew it, I was in their office, learning about jobs, the GI Bill, and the opportunities available. And on February 2, 1989, I raised my right hand and swore in.

Richard:
It must feel like yesterday. And you were entering service at a really interesting time—right at the crossroads of the Cold War, as the Berlin Wall came down and the Soviet bloc began to dissolve. What was it like stepping into that moment in history?

Marcelle:
It really was remarkable. Two years into my service, I saw the world changing. The Berlin Wall came down, Eastern European countries gained their freedom, and the Cold War ended. But that was just the beginning—for the next 24 years, we were in sustained conflict.

When I first joined, the world felt somewhat safe. In our generation, people didn’t talk much about Vietnam. That war was unpopular, and many veterans shed their uniforms when they came home. My generation grew up sheltered from that, but once I enlisted, everything changed.

At Lackland Air Force Base, I met 49 other women from across the country, and we became a team. That experience—teamwork, camaraderie, and purpose—completely transformed my life. Even though I was only 21, I was three or four years older than many of my peers, and having worked full-time helped me mature and commit to this path. What I thought would be a six-year enlistment for the GI Bill became a 24-year career.

Richard:
That’s incredible. And your service spanned some very turbulent times—Desert Storm, 9/11, the Global War on Terror. We’ll get into all of that, but first, let’s go back. What stands out most when you remember those early days at Lackland?

Marcelle:
Teamwork and discipline. The training instructors—our TIs—were tough but they taught us that everything is about the mission and the team. I had a little mentorship before I went in, which helped. Someone told me: “Just keep your head down, don’t argue, don’t make eye contact—do your job.” That advice helped me excel and really embrace the service.

Richard:
And from there, your career took you from Roslyn to Westhampton, eventually into leadership as a First Sergeant. You also served during 9/11 and deployed afterward. Let’s pause here for today, because your story deserves more time.

We’ll continue in Part 2, where Marcelle shares her experiences on deployment, during 9/11, and in leadership roles that shaped both her and the next generation of airmen.

Marcelle, thank you for sharing the beginnings of your journey with us.

Marcelle:
Thank you, Rich. It’s an honor to be here.

Richard:
And thank you to our listeners for joining us on hmTv. Stay tuned for Part 2 of my conversation with Marcelle Leis on The Fog of War and Humanity.