Sousa Named Veteran of the Month and Oren Named Veteran Supporter of the Month

Sousa Named Veteran of the Month and Oren Named Veteran Supporter of the Month

Congratulations go out this month to David Sousa, named Veteran of the Month (VOM) and Sharon Oren, named Veteran Supporter of the Month (VSM) for the month of April. Due to the risk of coronavirus exposure, special ceremonies to honor and recognize the VOM and VSM will be postponed until it is safe to resume them once again.

Sousa is no stranger to awards, honors or recognition. Over the course of his career in the U.S. Army, he became highly decorated. He was awarded the Combat Action Badge, the Bronze Star Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, Seven Army Achievement Medals, the National Defense Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three Combat Stars, the Iraq Campaign Ribbon and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

His high level of achievement didn’t stop when his military service ended. He joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in 2004, at the VFW Silver State Post 3396 in Sparks. He served at the local, district and national levels over the years. He even achieved AllAmerican Commander status on a Post level twice, and at one point, was named the VFW Outstanding Veteran for the Department of Nevada. He remains a Gold Legacy Life Member of the VFW.

His associations don’t stop with the VFW. He is also a member of the American Legion, life member of the Association of the U.S. Army, General Westmoreland Chapter, life member of the Disabled American Veterans, and many more, too numerous to mention.

In his spare time, he has dedicated his life to the enrichment of an elderly veteran, Sheldon, age 94, ensuring Sheldon does not miss any community spirit event or opportunity to live lift to its fullest. Sousa continues to be the anchor of Gold Star Families in Nevada and was a key figure in the establishment of the Gold Star Family Memorial, located on the campus of the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home in Sparks.

Sharon Oren is a key figure in the military and veteran community in Nevada. He is an immigrant from Israel where he was a decorated officer and a disabled combat veteran of the Israeli Military. He has seen the horrors of war, up close, first hand and personal and his experiences have ingrained him with a special imperative to aid and assist our American Veterans.

He has contributed financially to the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans in Nevada for many years. He has been instrumental in assuring the continued success of Honor Flight, Nevada. He has personally accompanied our disabled WWII and Vietnam War veterans on several Honor Flights. He has personally assisted logistically, helping individual veterans with disabilities by pushing them in their wheelchairs, helping them to be seated on the aircraft, escorting them to the restroom as needed and even assisted incontinent veterans change their inner protective garments when required for their safety and comfort.

While in the nation's Capital, Sharon has assisted disabled veterans in boarding and exiting busses and ground transportation and pushed wheelchair bound veterans during their tours of the military memorials that were visited while in Washington. Sharon has helped them as they boarded and deplaned their flights, and with meals for those who had difficulties cutting their food and has walked them to the restroom and back to protect them from falling.

When Honor Flights that he did not accompany arrive home in Reno, Sharon is there to welcome them home in the manner that they so well deserve. In addition to his assistance with Honor Flights operations, he was also instrumental in the development and the construction of the Gold Star Memorial in Reno for Nevada's Gold Star families, in a lasting tribute to the gallant men and women of Nevada who sacrificed their lives in service to our Nation.

The Veteran of the Month is awarded to veterans across Nevada who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, specifically with respect to volunteer work in support of veterans and the military. The Veteran Supporter of the Month award recognizes both organizations and non-veteran Nevada community members who support military members stationed in Nevada, Nevada Veterans, and their families. Both programs shine a bright light on individuals and organizations that help military members, veterans, and their families with no expectation of recognition or award.

The March Veteran of the Month and Veteran Supporter of the Month ceremony has been postponed. The Nevada Department of Veterans Services will provide information on re-scheduling once this unprecedented health crisis is over.