THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUnE 21, 2024 Page 5 Remembering SSgt Arthur DeFranzo Saugus veterans and family members of Saugus’ Medal of Honor recipient honor the fallen soldier 80 years later “What are the odds of that By Mark E. Vogler I t was like a family reunion for the living relatives of Army Staff Sergeant Arthur Frederick DeFranzo last Monday on the 80th anniversary of his fatal, but heroic duty that earned him the Medal of Honor for losing his life to save his men. Seven relatives from Saugus, a neighboring community and southern New Hampshire gathered in the VFW Post 2346 Hall named in DeFranzo’s honor after a 15-minute ceremony recounting the soldier’s role in the D-Day Invasion and how he sacrifi ced his life on the battlefi eld to save the lives of his fellow soldiers. Most of the relatives were the children of DeFranzo’s siblings. As they sat at a table in the VFW Hall having pastries and donuts to go with coffee or other drinks, a photo of the fallen family member they never knew was set on the table. Some of them told stories they had heard over the years about Sgt. DeFranzo. “Growing up, I heard the story a lot about how he was capkind of thing happening? I REMEMBERING | SEE PAGE 11 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 Open Tues. - Sat. at 4:00 PM Closed Sun. & Mon. Announcing our Classic Specials Dine In Only: * FREE Salad with purchase of Entree, Tuesdays & Wednesdays * Cheese Pizza - Only $10 A SAUGUS WAR HERO: a photo of Army Staff Sergent Arthur Frederick DeFranzo that graced the cover of a scrapbook of news clippings detailing the life, death and heroics of the town’s only Medal of Honor recipient. (Courtesy of the DeFranzo family) tured in North Africa and escaped and the guy that found Arthur was a Saugus resident who brought him back and cleaned him,” recalled Sean Walsh, 26, of Atkinson, N.H. Catch ALL The Live Sports Action On Our Large Screen TV’s Scan & Follow Us on Facebook! www.810bargrille.com SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available Sabatino Insurance is proud to welcome the loyal customers of ALWAYS READY TO SERVE YOU: Our Staff are, Emma Davidson, Jeimy Sanchez, Josephine Leone, Marie D’Amore, Rocco Longo, Z’andre Lopez, Anthony DiPierro, Darius Goudreau, Laurette Murphy, Danielle Goudreau and Tina Davidson. PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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