Memorial Day 2025 – Gold Star Wives receive medals on behalf of late husbands who died from service-connected illnesses

By Mark E. Vogler

Last Saturday’s (May 24) Memorial Day observance in Riverside Cemetery ended with the town honoring the widows of two Vietnam War veterans who died of service-connected illnesses years after they returned home. Receiving the Medal of Fidelity – which recognizes sacrifices made by veterans and their families – were Ellen Raitman of Saugus and Maria Sousa of Andover. U.S. Naval Commander Shelby M. Nikitin and Saugus Veterans Council Commander Steve Castinetti, retired U.S. Navy, made the presentations.

“The Massachusetts Medal of Fidelity is a state medal awarded to the next of kin of Massachusetts service members who die due to service-connected causes, including combat-related injuries, illnesses and exposure to harmful substances,” Saugus Veterans Services Officer Paul J. Cancelliere told the crowd during the special presentation.

“It’s a way for the Commonwealth to acknowledge and honor the sacrifices of these individuals and their families. Massachusetts is the only state that recognizes the sacrifices of families of service members who pass from a service-connected disability,” Cancelliere said.

Saugus honored the late Donna Whittemore-Farris – one of its Gold Star Wives – with the state’s new medal last year. She was the widow of U.S. Army veteran Everett Farris, who served in the Vietnam War from February 1966 to February 1969. Whittemore-Farris blamed his death (2010) on exposure to chemicals, which left him paralyzed years after his Vietnam service. He was a decorated veteran who served in the Anti-Tank Company of the 169th Infantry Regiment.

In her role as a Gold Star Wife, Whittemore-Farris encouraged other spouses to seek benefits earned from military service, according to Cancelliere. He said that Whittemore-Farris inspired Maria Sousa, one of the latest Medal of Fidelity recipients, to get involved in local Gold Star Wives activities.

Sergeant Eugene William 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.

“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.

“Eugene was a native of Portugal who loved his family. Eugene passed away on June 3, 1992, from Lymphoma caused by exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.”

At the time of his death, Sgt. Sousa had been married to his wife for 22 years.

Also remembered at the Memorial Day observance was U.S. Marine Corporal Ronald Bruce Raitman, who had served from June 30, 1964, to April 23, 1970. “Corporal Raitman served as an anti-tank assault man and small arms technician. He was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, Camp LeJeune, North Carolina,” Cancelliere said.

“Corporal Raitman deployed to Vietnam, serving overseas for 13 months, where he received two Purple Hearts, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Medal and the Good Conduct Medal,” he said.

“His exposure to both Agent Orange and toxic contaminants in the Camp LeJeune water supply led to his passing on June 24, 2007.

At the time of his death, Corporal Raitman had been married to his wife for 20 years.