Paving a never-ending path of honor

NORTH PORT — Former U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Melodi Wilson exudes the compassion and discipline it takes to serve her country and community. From trailblazing her way through a male-dominated field to volunteering her time to helping homeless vets, Wilson advocates for equal opportunity for all.

Eight ways Wilson embodies FIERCE:

1. Leading change: Wilson served nine years in the Air Force, quickly experiencing discrimination at her first two posts. But with a fiery passion to move forward, Wilson worked her way to staff sergeant in addition to having two children.

2. Equality advocate: "I'm a Libra and fairness is what my life is about. And even if it's personal to me, but it's not just that, it's for every woman because it's still happening to the women today."

3. Community contributor: Wilson was recently elected to commander of American Legion Post 254, making her only the second female leader in the club's 50-year history. Wilson has also held the second vice-commander position and is part of the Honor Guard, was Sarasota County's Veteran of the Year, and received a key to city from the North Port Commission for her community service.

4. Confidence is key: Though she still experiences discrimination at Post 254, Wilson said she knows her worth. "I still have haters. But as much as they want to deny everything that I do, they can't. The figures are right there every month."

5. Generational supporter: To recognize Wilson's dedicative spirit to veteran advocacy, a member created the annual Melody Wilson Award to honor a graduating female from North Port High School. "It is so awesome to meet these girls that have this amazing future in front of them. These guys can say what they want about girls, and but it is important that women help women, we need to support each other."

6. Fighting stereotypes: Wilson shared the frustration of being misrepresented, noting her veteran status at places like Lowes have been questioned because she is a woman. "I have a ton of shirts that say "I am not the wife of a veteran, I'm a veteran" or "woman by birth, veteran by choice," because people don't get it."

7. Honoring a forgotten past: As a member of the North Port Veterans Park Ad HOC Committee, Wilson helped break ground on a new veteran's memorial park near City Hall to honor Vietnam vets. Wilson also helps host annual dinners at Post 254 to honor Vietnam vets in nursing homes. “Some of these guys didn't have a choice. They were drafted, but they chose to defend this great country and we want to thank them for that."

8. Giving back to those who gave all: Wilson leads programs to help soldiers transitioning back into society, homeless vets and struggling military families, three initiatives Wilson said Post 254 will always uphold. "When we went to the service area, it didn't matter if you were an officer or enlisted, we all said the same thing and we meant it for life."