Mattapoisett veteran Colonel Nancy Souza honored at military event in Boston
Nancy Souza and Rep. Mark Sylvia attended Military Appreciation Day on Memorial Day on Monday, May 25. Image source: Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School
Nancy Souza was able to sit in Rep. Sylvia's chair in the State House. 
Souza and other guests heard from speakers through the day. 
Rep. Sylvia presented Nancy Souza with a certificate. 
Nancy Souza in the State House. 
Other representatives across Massachusetts invited veterans to attend the Memorial Day event.
Nancy Souza and Rep. Mark Sylvia attended Military Appreciation Day on Memorial Day on Monday, May 25. Image source: Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School
Nancy Souza was able to sit in Rep. Sylvia's chair in the State House.
Souza and other guests heard from speakers through the day.
Rep. Sylvia presented Nancy Souza with a certificate.
Nancy Souza in the State House.
Other representatives across Massachusetts invited veterans to attend the Memorial Day event.
MATTAPOISETT — As Nancy Souza prepared to coach volleyball at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School in 1991, she was called to active duty and deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
From September 1990 to June 1991, Souza of Mattapoisett served in the Middle East as the Commander of a transportation unit.
She served in the Army National Guard for 31 years and was promoted to Colonel in 2008 and then retired in 2014.
On Monday, May 25 Souza attended Military Appreciation Day at the State House in Boston invited by Representative Mark Sylvia to celebrate veterans and Memorial Day.
Sylvia represents the 10th Bristol district consisting of Mattapoisett, Marion, Rochester, New Bedford, Acushnet and Fairhaven.
Souza said she was in “awe” at the event. Sylvia gave Souza a tour of the State House and even got to sit inside the House of Representatives and see the Senate.
“It was just one of those days, a day where I felt like I was right, like I was back in the military,” Souza said.
She said her favorite part of the event was getting to see so many of the South Coast area politicians and chat with them. Her highlights were chatting with Senator Michael Rodgrigues and Senator Mark Montigny.
Souza and Sylvia had met many times and worked together on multiple projects in the area. He then personally invited her to the event.
The retired Colonel is currently the chair of the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School Committee, Chair of the Mattapoisett Tree Committee and works with the Advisory Committee for Cemeteries, Memorials and Veterans Recognition. She was previously the physical education teacher and coach at Old Colony.
Souza said it is important to celebrate Memorial Day and honor veterans’ sacrifices while educating the young about the history of the day.
“I think it's important to make sure we keep that tradition so that others make sure we're always remembering those that gave their lives for this country,” Souza said.
