PARIS – The Veteran for the Month of May has been announced at the Maine Veterans Home, South Paris.

Monell Needham was born in Pineville, La., in 1925. Prior to his enlistment in the Navy he attended college for four years. Needham joined the Navy in 1945 from Notre Dame, Ind., entering as an ensign and rising to the rank of captain during his career.

Needham’s zest for learning led him to study industrial management, security of classified information and military justice. He also attended the Naval War College to study international relations and attended the Naval College, Newport, R.I., as well.

Needham retired from the Navy in 1971. During his years of service he received the Joint Service Commendation Award, American Campaign and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbons, the World War II Victory Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the Naval Reserve Medal and the National Defense Medal with a Bronze Star.

Needham met his wife, Heidi, who was from Switzerland, in New York. They had two children, Stephen and Lili, and three grandchildren, David, Jonathan and Heidi.

Following his retirement and move to Maine, Needham opened and operated the Sportshaus in Bridgton. He loved Alpine skiing and was a ski instructor at Shawnee Peak for several years. He always loved the ocean and kept those memories by working on wood carvings of boats. He also enjoyed sailing his sailboat in Casco Bay.