VFW Commander in Chief John Stroud, left, presents a certificate to Nevada Department of Nevada Commander David Sousa at the recently held VFW convention inb Pittsburgh, Pa.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States announced David Sousa has achieved All American status as a department commander.
Sousa, former commander of the Department of Nevada, is one of only 17 VFW department commanders selected worldwide for All American Commander that was presented on July 20 at the VFW National Convention in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Sousa was elected the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Nevada Commander 2014-2015 in June 2014 and was succeeded by Donna Barnett of Las Vegas in June. Sousa started his military career in the United States Army in August 1987 and continues to serve today for the Nevada Army National Guard in Reno.
Sousa presided over the state VFW convention that was held earlier this year in Fallon.
During his service in the Army, he served in Mombasa; Kenya, in Support of “Operation Provide Relief”; and “Operation Provide Comfort” humanitarian missions in Somalia from October 1993 to December 1993 as a member of the Berlin Brigade. He went on to serve in “Operation Iraqi Freedom” in Abu Ghraib, Iraq, from February 2003 to January 2004 as a member of the 72nd Military Police Company for the Nevada Army National Guard. Sousa served again in “Operation Enduring Freedom” at Kandahar, Afghanistan, from January 2011 to January 2012 as a member of the 422d Expeditionary Signal Battalion. Nevada Army National Guard.
Highly decorated for his honorable service, Dave has been awarded the Combat Action Badge, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, four Army Commendation Medals, seven Army Achievement Medals, National Defense Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three Combat Stars, Iraq Campaign Ribbon and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
He joined the VFW in 2004 (VFW Silver State Post 3396, Sparks). He has served as the junior, senior and commander for the Department of Nevada in addition to serving at the District level, VFW National Certified Recruiter from 2006 to 2009 and the National Legislative Committee.
Sousa achieved All-American Commander status on a post level twice and was named the VFW Outstanding Veteran in 2006.
Sousa’s associations include a Gold Legacy Life Member of the VFW, a member of the American Legion, a life member of The Association of United States Army — General Westmoreland Chapter, a life member for the Disabled American Veterans Association, a life member of Signal Corps Regimental Association, member of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard, and in 2014 was appointed by the governor of Nevada, Brian Sandoval, to the Veterans Suicide Prevention and Awareness Council.
He attended Truckee Meadows Community College and received his Associate of Arts degree, and then went on to receive his Associate of Applied Sciences degree in law enforcement in 2000.
Sousa currently resides in Sun Valley, Nevada.
The VFW is a nonprofit veterans’ service organization of veterans and eligible military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces.