On 3 July, Bristol Marine published a profile about Corporal Alexander Vaz of the United States Marine Corps and MA2 Yusra Vaz of the United States Navy, both relatives of Patty Cativo, a yard office team member.
Alexander Vaz joined the Marines in November 2019, the post said. He earned honor graduate distinction at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, where he finished first in a platoon of 70 Marines. After infantry training and school, he later deployed aboard the USS Carter Hall in February 2021.
Yusra Vaz joined the Navy in September 2020, according to the profile, and deployed aboard the USS Carter Hall in May 2021. In Bahrain, both were involved remotely in Operation Allies Refuge. There, they met while helping Afghan refugees with shelter, food and departure from the country.
While driving 190 miles every weekend for two years to visit Yusra Vaz in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Alexander Vaz returned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the post said. He graduated from the Advanced Infantryman Course in summer 2022, meritoriously advanced to corporal and later led Marines as a squad leader.
In June 2023, Yusra Vaz attended Master at Arms school in Texas. She became a Master at Arms in August and married Alexander Vaz after completing another two-month course, the profile said. She then deployed in early October 2023 aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower as a military police officer, spent eight months overseas, advanced to petty officer 2nd class and received her second Sea Service Ribbon and first Combat Action Ribbon.