THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MAy 30, 2025 Page 5 RECEIVING HER MEDAL: U.S. Naval Commander Shelby M. Nikitin (right) pinned the Medal of Fidelity on Gold Star Wife Maria Sousa. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) MEMORIAL DAY | FROM PAGE 3 Sousa served with Company A, 2/306 Airborne Infantry, 101st Airborne Infantry Division, from Dec. 12, 1959, to Nov. 27, 1968. “His military service includes two tours in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Infantry Division,” Cancelliere said. MEDAL OF FIDELITY RECIPIENTS: Pictured from left to right, Maria Sousa and Ellen Raitman, both widows of Vietnam Veterans who died from service-related illnesses, received special recognition during the annual Saugus Memorial Day Ceremony last Saturday in Riverside Cemetery. Saugus Veterans Services Offi cer Paul J. Cancelliere introduced the medal recipients. U.S. Naval Commander Shelby M. Nikitin and Saugus Veterans Council Commander Steve Castinetti made the presentations. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) “Sgt. Sousa’s decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Parachutist Badge,” he said. HONORING A GOLD STAR WIFE: Ellen Raitman (left), the widow of a Vietnam War veteran who died from a service-connected illness, received the Medal of Fidelity from U.S. Naval Commander Shelby M. Nikitin. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) “Eugene was a native of Portugal who loved his family. EuMEMORIAL DAY | SEE PAGE 13
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