Marine Awarded Honors for Her Unwavering Loyalty, Dedication and Service to Others

While U.S. Marine Ellen Leidy’s contributions in the military were significant, it is her dedication to her fellow Veterans – especially Ohio Veterans – after her service to country that resulted in her earning the 2024 Veteran of the Year award from the VSC.

Leidy served in the United States Marine Corps from 1969 to 1972, as a Corporal based in Washington, D.C. Leidy would go on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Education from Central Michigan University in 1979. She retired from the Department of Defense as a Quality Assurance Specialist after 25 years of service in 2007.

Throughout all these significant professional milestones in Leidy’s life – she has been called to serve Veterans, future Marines and her community. And she certainly has answered that call.

“Ellen leads by example,” said 2023 VOTY Award Winner Tyrone Sanders, a Veteran who felt his call to serve others after meeting Leidy when they worked together at the Akron VA in 2017.

It’s no surprise to see her entry into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame (Class of 2007), her recognition with the Chapel of Four Chaplains Award (2010) or her U.S. Marines Corps Reserve Commanders Award (2004).

She has held multiple positions in the Chesty Puller #269 Detachment in Cuyahoga Falls, where she’s a life member. She has served in nearly every level of the local organization’s command as well as serving at the national level as Marine Corps League National Administrative Review Chairman. Through her 27 years of service to this organization, she’s been awarded Marine of the Year (2018) by the detachment and Ohio Marine of the Year (2013) by the state’s department of Ohio Adjutant.

In addition, Leidy has served in various roles of the Military Order of Devil Dogs for the last 14 years, including Pedigree Devil Dog and dog handler for National Military Order of Devil Dogs. She also is a life member of the Women Marines Association, American Legion, MILWOMEN (formerly WAVES) national organization, and Vietnam Veterans of America.

She participates in funerals and donates time to Toys for Tots efforts and has led in several capacities of local and regional Young Marines. She regularly volunteered at the VA hospital in Brecksville, where she provided more than 10,000 hours of service and where she met Sanders.

“She not only served others at the VA hospital – she also brought the Veterans joy. She created this area for coffee and fellowship that Veterans still ask about today,” Sanders said. “Her impact reaches so far for so many.”

She also was awarded the Department of Defense’s STEM Role Model Award for Women’s History Month Observance and Recognition Ceremony, carrying the theme “Women: Builders of Communities and Dreams,” at Arlington National Cemetery in 2006.

Leidy has been instrumental in leading and now providing critical advisory services to the Summit County Stand Down, a local event that gives homeless and displaced Veterans a hand-up by offering free services such as mental health counseling, dental and vision exams, employment training and more.

“She donates countless hours of her time and her own money to support Veterans – from parades to reenactments to playing taps at a funeral to helping families financially to attend graduations to serving the Young Marines and so much more,” Sanders said. “Her impact is huge, and her standards are exacting, just what you’d expect from a U.S. Marine.”

Throughout her professional career and military service, Leidy volunteered and led with her heart – and her sense of humor – inspiring hundreds of other Veterans to work selflessly in support of one another, as Sanders noted.

That commitment to serving others helps future generations carry the torch forward and is truly her biggest legacy to the greater Summit County community. Her decades of Veteran and community service exemplify the Veterans Service Commission of Summit County James C. Seminaroti Veteran of the Year award.

And when she’s not giving back, Leidy is devoted to her family and travel. She has recently been enjoying adventuring to see family, according to Sanders.