After more than four decades of public service in the military and elected office, Darcy Doezema is still giving back to her community. At the church pantry. At the dog shelter where she enjoys taking the dogs for a walk. At the high school when they need a hand selling tickets during a girls’ volleyball game.
There’s also her volunteer work at the Southwest Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross in Kalamazoo. Doezema is part of the Disaster Action Team that responds to home fires in Allegan County. She also supports military members and their families, and veterans through the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces.
“The ones that really get to you are the people that literally have nothing. They have nothing left but the clothes on their back,” she said of the home fire responses. “I don’t know about everybody else, but there’s hardly been one that I haven’t hugged as I’m leaving.
“I think showing people that there’s somebody who cares – that’s the priceless part of (what the Red Cross does). That means so much to people.”
Today, on Veterans Day, that sense of gratitude will be returned to military veterans like Doezema, who served 33 years in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve. She worked as a cryptologic technician, a specialist who gathered intelligence and information through electronic means. Doezema monitored a radio receiver and typed out what she heard, often in morse code.
“Every time you sat down and touched the keyboard,” she said, “you didn’t know if you were gathering information that was continuity or was this something (significant).”
Doezema enlisted after losing an uncle who died in the Vietnam War. She received eight service promotions during her military career and retired as Master Chief Petty Officer. During her service, she held various jobs in the cryptology field and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
“I never didn’t want to be in the service,” said Doezema, a resident of Martin Township, located about 23 miles north of Kalamazoo. “Even on my worst day, on my worst assignment, I wouldn’t have chosen differently. It was really fulfilling to me.”
Darcy Doezema served 33 years in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve
The youngest of seven sisters (one is a retired Navy reservist), Doezema conceded that military service positioned her for a life of service. “I like being part of something bigger than yourself,” she said.
With military service in the rear-view mirror, Doezema found her next calling in local government. In 2012 she ran for clerk of the Village of Martin, a population of just under 400.
“It was love of community just to be involved,” said Doezema who served five two-year terms over 10 years. Holding elected office, she said, allowed her to utilize the unique skills she developed in the military.
“You don’t jump right in to be village president. You have to spend some time learning how the system (levers of government) works,” she said. “I really enjoyed the work and I saw the responsibility of the president. I didn’t want that, but I wanted a voice. By being the clerk, I was on the village council and could have a voice in what happened. That was really compelling to me.”
These days, when she’s not volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her family and four grandchildren. She also hikes and bikes and started dabbling in crafting. Of course, at her side constantly is Maggie, an 8-year-old rescued Corgi. “She is the best dog ever.”
When the conversation returned to Veterans Day, Doezema prefers not to be the center of attention on the national holiday that honors those who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military. She counts among them her youngest son who is stationed at a Naval base in Norfolk, Va.
“I’m very proud of my service but I don’t wear it on my sleeve,” she said. “I very much appreciate the acknowledgment for all of us.”
By David Olejarz, regional communications director
