Happy Veteran’s Day, Doug Ellis

In honor of Veterans Day, we sat down with fellow sugarmaker and Marine veteran Doug Ellis to talk about his incredible 40-year military career — spanning the Marine Corps, National Guard, and multiple overseas deployments — and how those experiences have shaped his approach to life, leadership, and maple syrup making. In this interview, he shares stories from bootcamp to the sugarbush, lessons learned along the way, and the deep family roots that keep him connected to both service and syrup.

A Long Career of Service

“I went to Marine Corps bootcamp in Marine Corp Recruit Depot San Diego CA February 1983 followed by 8 weeks School of Infantry before being assigned to the 3/5 (3rd Battalion 5 Marine Regiment  1st Marine Division Fleet Marine Force. I was a Marine Corps rifleman for about a year then had the chance to go to the Marine Corp Sniper School right there at Camp Pendleton. I spent my entire enlistment with 3/5 with two six month deployments to Okinawa Japan and Korea. Returning home in 1988 I enlisted in the Michigan National Guard and reclassed to Food Service (as i had enough of being in the infantry HA) I have deployed to Iraq in 2004-2005 with the Army National Guard. Again to Liberia in 2012-2013 for a troop mentoring mission. Twice to Guantanamo Bay Cuba one year each tour. I retired from the Military in October or 2024 with a total of 40 years and 8 months in Service. I am still getting used to not having to wear the uniform. I loved being a Marine and still consider myself a Marine first even after all my service in the Army. Being able to see all of the places in the world that I had the opportunity to visit while in the service was a good time. There is a lot of world out there.”

Lessons Learned

“Some people are born leaders but the military trained me to be a very effective leader and that has carried over into every part of my civilian life. Teaching me how to first recognize the problem and step by step a plan to make your idea work. The military also introduced me to people from all different backgrounds and locations from around the USA. There are all kinds of people and in the military you are all on the same team and need to realize you need to work together as part of a team to succeed.”

Returning to the Sugarbush

“Some of my earliest memories are helping my Grandfather and Dad making maple syrup. As a kid we tapped upwards to 1800 taps (no tubing just buckets and bags) and i remember my first time gathering I used a 8 quart galvanized bucket I was around 7 or 8 years old. As I got older and more of my Dads immediate family moved away we cut it way back to around 500 taps or so.

In 2015 the old pans I had been using were just tired and old and beat up. They were made of “english tin” and had been burnt a few times by my Dad and Grandfather as well. I started looking online for someone to build me a front pan on my old cooker. I actually brought the front pan up to Hilbert for your guys to make one for me out of stainless. After talking with Jimmy and touring the plant there I decided to buy all brand new stainless pans I decided on 2′ x 8′ at first, then changed to 2′ x 10′ also ordering the hoods to go with it. Last year was my first year with the new pans and they were better than I had expected. I wish my Dad could of had the chance to cook with pans and the system that I am working with now. In 2024, we ran 600 taps and made 120 gallons of the best syrup ever.

Next year, I now have the 16-1/2 gallon bottler and the 6 plate filter system and I am really looking forward to using this new equipment. I have several of my cousins that used to help gather syrup when we were kids and now we are all retired and get together to make maple syrup… Good times.”

— Doug Ellis

From bootcamp in San Diego to the sugarbush back home, Doug Ellis embodies what it means to serve with pride and lead with heart. His story reminds us that the same values that make great soldiers — discipline, problem-solving, and camaraderie — also make great sugarmakers.

This Veterans Day, we salute Doug Ellis and all who have worn the uniform. Thank you for your service, and for continuing to inspire us in and out of the sugarbush. ❤️🤍💙

This Veteran’s Day use gift code THANKSDOUG on SmokyLakeMaple.com for $11 OFF your purchase of $100 or more. Offer Expires November 12, 2025.