Lions District 24-L

Club Highlight

Lake of the Woods Lioness Lions Club

Written by Sharla Bailey

This past Spring, Heidi V. Brown, Club President, received a remarkable honor at the Air Defense Artillery Musical Tattoo in Lawton, Oklahoma. During this annual celebration of heritage and service, Lion Heidi was recognized for her extraordinary career and was inducted into the Air Defense Artillery Hall of Fame, one of the highest distinctions in her branch of service, reserved for those whose impact has shaped the Army and the nation.

For many in our club, Heidi is the friendly face who leads meetings with humor, humility, and steadiness. But her story stretches far beyond Locust Grove. Over her 36-year Army career, Heidi broke barriers, commanded in combat, and helped transform how the Army trains and protects its soldiers. She was the first woman to command a Patriot missile battalion, the first woman to lead an Air Defense Artillery Brigade into combat, and later served as a Major General overseeing global operations, logistics, and strategic missions.

When asked about these “firsts,” Heidi is quick to wave them away. She said that her service was never about being the first woman to do anything. What mattered to her — what still matters — is that she endured difficult experiences for a reason... so she could help others through theirs. She believes those challenges gave her the ability to relate to soldiers on a deeper level, to understand their fears and pressures, and to help them become the best versions of themselves.

Throughout her career, Heidi led soldiers through some of the most demanding moments of the Iraq War. She carried the weight of loss, the responsibility of command, and the constant pressure of decisions that affected thousands of lives. But she also carried compassion. She listened. She encouraged. She pushed her soldiers to believe in their own strength. And because of that, they trusted her — not because she was a General, but because she understood them. That, she says, is the real legacy she hopes to leave behind.

As Heidi completes her year as President of the LOW Lioness Lions Club, we are reminded that leadership takes many forms. Whether commanding troops in a combat zone or guiding a room full of volunteers, Heidi leads with the same philosophy she has carried since her days at West Point: be firm, be fair, be consistent, and be compassionate.

We are proud of her national recognition, proud of her service, and proud to call her our friend. And while she will soon step into the role of Immediate Past President, her influence — like her leadership — will continue to shape and strengthen our club.

Congratulations, Heidi, on this well-deserved honor. Nothing is impossible when you lead with heart.

Lions District 24-L