“A great advocate”

Town Manager offers high praise for SueAnn Cheung, the woman Marine Corps veteran he hired to become Saugus’ first full-time Veterans’ Service Officer

By Mark E. Vogler

It’s been nearly a decade since the town had a woman veterans’ service officer (VSO). Alicia Marie Reddin worked part-time while splitting duty as the VSO for the Towns of Saugus and Wakefield back in 2015-16. U.S. Marine Corps veteran SueAnn Cheung made history last Friday night when Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree announced he had hired her to become the town’s first full-time VSO. Unlike Reddin, she’ll be working exclusively for Saugus veterans.

“I think she’s going to make a great advocate and continue the things that we think are important [for veterans services],” Crabtree told selectmen at Tuesday (Sept. 30) night’s meeting.

“I think she’s very promising. I think she brings a lot of experience from working at the Veterans Services Office in Boston and for the state. We’re happy to have her on board,” he said.

Cheung – who Crabtree said “brings more than two decades of military, human services, and veterans’ advocacy experience” to Saugus – replaces former Saugus VSO Paul J. Cancelliere, who had worked two years on a part-time basis, tending to the needs of more than 1,000 Saugus veterans and their families. Cancelliere’s position ended on June 30 – the end of the 2025 Fiscal Year – because of the termination of the Regional Veterans Service District, which also included Melrose and Wakefield. He said he applied for full-time VSO in Saugus when the town began advertising the position.

Two weeks ago, a group of about three dozen veterans attended the Board of Selectmen’s meeting to show their support for Cancelliere while calling for his appointment to the VSO position full-time. But Crabtree decided that Cheung was the best candidate for the job among those who had applied. “SueAnn brings an exceptional blend of service, leadership, and compassion to the Veterans’ Services Office,” Crabtree said in a press release issued by his office last Friday.

“Her distinguished military background, combined with her extensive work supporting veterans and managing human services programs, make her uniquely qualified to serve as our full-time Veterans’ Service Officer. We are proud to welcome her to this vital role, and we are confident she will have a positive impact on the lives of Saugus veterans and their families,” the town manager said.

A public “thank you” to Cancelliere

At their Sept. 16 meeting, selectmen voted unanimously in support of a motion by Selectman Anthony Cogliano to appoint Cancelliere on a nonpaid, interim basis until Crabtree filled the position. At this week’s meeting, selectmen approved a suggestion by Crabtree to write Cancelliere a letter thanking him for his services as VSO and as a volunteer during the transition.

Cheung served four years and three months in the U.S. Marine Corps, rising to the rank of sergeant before her discharge in February of 2007. She served as warehouse manager at U.S. Military posts in the Pacific and was later assigned as primary marksman instructor at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Suffolk University. Her professional certifications: Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Certified Instructor, Qualified Brain Injury Support Supervisor (QBISP-S), Proactive Approaches to Behavioral Challenges (PABC), Positive Behavior Supports (PBS), Trauma-Informed Care, QPR Suicide Prevention, Medication Administration Program (MAP), CPR/First Aid and others.

“Cheung brings more than two decades of military, human services, and veterans’ advocacy experience. She currently works as an outreach coordinator for the Executive Office of Veterans Services’ Statewide Advocacy for Veterans Empowerment (SAVE) team, where she provides peer support to veterans and ensures that veterans receive essential resources and benefits,” according to the press release issued by Crabtree’s office.

“In 2017, Cheung founded the Boston Veterans Group and continues to serve as the veterans’ events coordinator for THE Boston Veterans Group, with responsibilities that include locating resources for veterans and distributing helpful information to veterans through outreach and social media,” it noted. “Beyond her military service, Cheung has dedicated much of her professional career to community service and human-support programs, focusing on individuals living with brain injuries, traumatic conditions, and complex behavioral challenges. In leadership and supervisory roles, she managed residential and rehabilitation programs, supported families, oversaw compliance with state standards, and guided teams delivering care to vulnerable populations. This lifelong dedication to service and advocacy naturally extends to her new role supporting Saugus veterans and their families.”

Cheung and her sister immigrated to the United States from the Republic of Suriname, a country in Northern South America. After moving to America, the two sisters grew up in South Boston and attended Boston Latin Academy. They joined the Marines after graduation.

Cheung said she is excited to get started to help address the issues that matter most to Saugus veterans and military families. “As a veteran, I understand how important it is to have someone who can guide you through the benefits process and advocate on your behalf,” Cheung said. “I am honored to join the Town of Saugus and look forward to serving our veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, and their families to ensure they receive the recognition and support they deserve.”

Selectman Corinne Riley, who has been active in local veterans affairs for many years, told colleagues at Tuesday night’s meeting that she’s impressed with Cheung’s background and has been hearing positive feedback from the Saugus veterans’ community about her. “I’ve heard from several veterans and family members of veterans that they are very impressed with her resume and experience, and they love to see her here and look forward to meeting her,” Riley said.

“She’s impressive, and I hope she does well with everyone who goes into her office,” she said.

Selectmen voted unanimously to support Crabtree’s appointment of Chenug.

What the job entails

As the Saugus VSO, Cheung will:

• Administer the Chapter 115 benefits program for eligible Saugus veterans and their dependents, including processing applications, auditing payments and generating reports
• Assist veterans in applying for federal and state benefits, such as disability, pensions, Aid and Attendance, VA health-care programs, and DD 214 upgrades
• Serve as the Town’s primary resource for veterans’ services, connecting veterans and their families with counseling, health care, housing assistance and social service programs. She will also help families with burial benefits and grave markers.
• Collaborate with other Town departments and community partners to maintain veterans’ memorials and organize events and outreach initiatives
• Represent the Veterans’ Services Office at Veterans Advisory Board meetings, coordinate budgets for the department and work closely with the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) and regional VSOs
• Maintain the confidentiality of veterans’ records, manage departmental staff and projects and participate in continuing education and accreditation

Crabtree said the hiring of a full-time VSO builds on a long record of town initiatives, supported by the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee and Town Meeting, to honor and assist veterans. Recent projects include a major painting project and structural improvements to the Marine Cpl. Scott J. Procopio/Capt. William G. Shoemaker American Legion Post 210, launching the veterans’ mobile food market held on the third Wednesday of each month at the Saugus Senior Center, the doubling of the real estate property tax exemption for disabled veterans and eligible seniors, repointing the bricks at the Saugus Veterans War Monument and relocating the Veterans’ Services Office to a more visible location on the first floor at Town Hall.

“These projects reflect our ongoing commitment to veterans and their families,” Crabtree said. “SueAnn’s appointment builds upon this foundation and ensures Saugus continues to deliver the care, respect and advocacy our veterans deserve,” the town manager said.

Residents seeking assistance or information about veterans’ benefits and programs are encouraged to contact the Saugus Veterans’ Services Office at 781-231-4010 or visit www.saugus-ma.gov/veterans-services-office. The Saugus Veterans’ Services Office is also staffed by Nancy Stead, the Veterans’ Services Office Administrative Assistant, who can be reached at 781-231-4196.