Ep 227: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Marcelle Leis P3 on hmTv

Episode 227 (Part 3) – The Fog of War and Humanity with Marcelle Leis

In the third part of this powerful series, host Richard Acritelli continues his conversation with Marcelle Leis, a 24-year veteran of the Air National Guard and current Director of the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency.

Marcelle shares how the Joseph Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project inspired her post-military career and explains why peer-to-peer connections are life-saving for veterans struggling with trauma, PTSD, and reintegration. She reflects on the silence of past generations—from World War II to Vietnam—and the cultural shift now underway to view asking for help as a sign of strength, not weakness.

The discussion also explores the challenges veterans face with the VA system, the impact of toxic exposures from Agent Orange to burn pits, and the importance of filing claims not only for individual care but to strengthen entire communities. With compassion and clarity, Marcelle emphasizes how local engagement, education, and advocacy can transform lives—and save them.

This episode highlights both the ongoing struggles and the hope that comes when veterans are supported by those who understand their journey.

Transcript

The Fog of War and Humanity – Episode 227 (Part 3)

Host: Richard Acritelli
Guest: Marcelle Leis

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

To the left of me is my special guest, Marcelle Leis. In our last two episodes, she spoke in detail about her beginnings in the military, growing up in Belmore, her service overseas in Kuwait after 9/11, and her return home. Today, we’ll talk about her life after the Air National Guard and the important work she’s doing now.

Marcelle, you hold a very important job today. What is your role?

Marcelle Leis:
Thanks, Rich, and thank you for continuing this conversation. When I was preparing to retire after 24 years in the Air National Guard, I wasn’t sure what my next mission would be. As service members, we need a sense of purpose beyond the uniform.

In 2012, right as I was retiring, I was introduced to the Joseph Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project. It was a pilot program here in New York, designed to connect veterans with each other through peer-to-peer support. That program launched me into the next decade of my life—helping veterans at the community level.

Through that work, I learned about veteran services, resources, and the needs of our local community. Eventually, that path led me to my current role as Director of the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency.

Richard:
So you’re connected locally, but your work also intersects with state and national initiatives.

Marcelle:
Exactly. Our mission touches every level—local, state, and federal. Suffolk County has the largest veteran population in New York State, so the need here is significant. We partner with programs across the state, and we bring resources down to the community level where veterans live and work.

Richard:
Let’s talk about the program’s namesake—Joseph Dwyer. He was a local Long Island soldier, one of the first deployed to Iraq during the Global War on Terror. Why is the peer-to-peer program named after him, and what makes peer support so critical?

Marcelle:
Joe Dwyer was a combat medic. He became known for a powerful photo of him carrying a wounded child during the Iraq War. He was there to save lives, not take them. But when he came home, he struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder.

At the time, peer programs didn’t exist. There weren’t people to start the conversation, to connect him with resources. He turned to self-medication, not because he wanted to die, but because he was coping with trauma the only way he knew how. Sadly, it took his life.

Peer-to-peer support changes that. It’s an evidence-based practice—veterans helping veterans. From day one of basic training, every branch builds a cultural foundation. We speak the same language, we understand the same mindset. That connection can break through stigma and get someone to seek help.

Richard:
And the need is staggering. The number often cited is 22 veteran suicides a day.

Marcelle:
Yes—and even that number is probably low. It doesn’t account for overdoses, high-speed crashes, or other indirect causes. That’s why we say: one is one too many.

The point is, these men and women served. They deserve support. Programs like the Dwyer Project give them a safe, nonclinical space to open up, sometimes for the first time in decades. I’ve had Vietnam veterans sit in my office and share atrocities they saw—things they did in-country—fifty years later, for the very first time. They felt safe because I also served. That’s the power of peer connection.

Richard:
That’s a huge cultural shift. In past wars—World War II, Korea, Vietnam—veterans were told not to talk about it. They came home, raised families, got jobs, and buried their trauma.

Marcelle:
Exactly. It was seen as weakness to ask for help. But we’re trying to change that mindset—asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. When veterans see their peers modeling healthy behavior, seeking services, and reintegrating successfully, it gives them permission to do the same.

Richard:
And Suffolk County is unique. We have a large, diverse veteran population—Vietnam, post-9/11, Iraq, Afghanistan. Are you seeing younger veterans seeking services?

Marcelle:
Not as much as we’d like. Many post-9/11 veterans are still working, raising young families, busy with life. They know the services exist, but often they wait until they’re ready. Right now, we see more Vietnam veterans coming forward. But we believe the younger generation will come in time.

Richard:
Your work also involves navigating the VA, which hasn’t always been easy. Has that process improved?

Marcelle:
It has. Locally, the Northport VA leadership is addressing past problems. And my agency simplifies the process. Veterans don’t need to navigate the system alone—our service officers walk them through claims, appointments, and benefits. Filing a claim isn’t just about money. It brings more federal dollars into our community and ensures long-term care for veterans and their families.

Richard:
That’s critical, especially with health issues tied to exposure—Agent Orange in Vietnam, burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Marcelle:
Yes, the PACT Act has opened the door for veterans with presumptive conditions linked to toxins. Many don’t realize their hearing loss, hypertension, or diabetes may be service-connected. We urge them to explore their options—for themselves, but also for their families. These benefits carry into later life, covering healthcare, aid, and even survivor support.

Richard:
Marcelle, thank you for your decades of service, both in uniform and now as an advocate for veterans. Three episodes barely scratch the surface, but your work is vital.

Marcelle:
Thank you, Rich. It’s an honor to share this and to serve our veterans.

Richard:
And thank you to our audience for joining us here on The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv. Until next time, let’s continue to remember, to support, and to fight for those who served.

[Music fades out]