Meadow Hill

Michael Lutz inducted into Veteran’s Hall of Fame

By Louise Haight
Posted 5/19/22

“The heights by great men reached and kept Were not attained by sudden flight, But they, while their companions slept Were toiling upward in the night.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow   …

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Meadow Hill

Michael Lutz inducted into Veteran’s Hall of Fame

Posted

“The heights by great men reached and kept
Were not attained by sudden flight,
But they, while their companions slept
Were toiling upward in the night.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 
On May 4, Vietnam Combat Veteran, was inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame in Albany.  3rd Vice Commander and Service Officer of Catholic War Veterans Joseph R. Farina Newburgh-New Windsor Post 386, Chaplain, Veterans of Foreign Wars Town of Newburgh Post 1161, Lutz is the recipient of this honored installation.

The New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame was created to honor and recognize outstanding veterans from the Empire State who have distinguished themselves both in military and civilian life. Their meritorious service to our nation deserves the special recognition that only a Hall of Fame can provide, as a fitting expression of our gratitude and admiration.

Lutz was born on July 13, 1947 to Anna Martello and Charles Lutz in Garnerville, NY. After graduating from high school, Lutz enlisted in the United States Navy in September of 1965. His Navy service, totaling 4 years, consisted of first attending Radioman “A” school and then being stationed on the Destroyer USS Charles S. Sperry (DD697), where he sailed around Asia and Africa on a Goodwill Tour and helped to build schools and small clinics in remote areas.

In September of 1968, Lutz began serving in the Mobile Riverine Force, M-151-1, in Vietnam. Onboard, he worked as the radio operator and machine gunner. From his time serving in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam, he earned 4 Battle Stars. He left Vietnam in August of 1969, received an Honorable Discharge, and returned to his hometown in Rockland County.

He eventually joined the Army National Guard, 101ST Signal Battalion, where he served in the Communications Division. From 1973 to 1976, he transferred to a Medical unit in the Army Reserves, 815th Station Hospital at Stewart Army Sub post, as the Sergeant in charge of the Radio Communications Section until 1983.

In 1985, Lutz joined the 105th Air National Guard at Stewart Air Guard Base in Newburgh. There, he worked in the Planning and Scheduling Section as a Maintenance Scheduler on the C-5-A Galaxy Airplane. After a total of 35 years of military service and 36 years total of federal service, he retired at the rank of Master Sergeant (E-7) in 2007 and as a postal carrier in 2009.

Beginning in 2000, he was Eucharist Minister at Mass at the 105th Airlift Wing Chaplain’s Office. He also served as a Eucharist Minister, lecturer and usher, at St. Francis Church in Newburgh, which he has been doing for over 25 years.

Lutz is a Life Member of VFW Post 1161, where he serves as the Service Officer and Post Chaplain, and also a Life Member of Joseph Farina CWV Post 386 where he serves as the 3rd Vice Commander and Service Officer. 

As a part of his involvement in local Veteran organizations, he has led one of the Poppy Drives, a joint effort by the VFW and CWV to collect money to donate to veteran causes such as Honor Flight, Purple Heart Foundation, and the Orange County Veterans’ Food Pantry.

Lutz’s awards include Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 stars, and RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Lutz is the 2nd CWV Post 386 member to be inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame. The founder and namesake of the Post, Joseph R. Farina was the first.  Congratulations to Michael Lutz on a well-deserved honor!
 
The Newburgh Retired Teachers’ Chapter Newburgh Teachers’ Association was overjoyed to finally have the opportunity to meet safely with colleagues and friends, at their Spring Meeting/Dinner at La Casa Vicina, May 6.  The taste of spring was definitely in the air and the atmosphere was hopeful for more informative and pleasant social gatherings.  Nothing could have been more heart-warming than to honor an extraordinary member, Alan Leontovich, as an honorary member of the RTC’s Executive Committee.  The resolution noted Alan’s long career in unionism and his leadership in the NTA.

Among his roles, Alan served as NTA President, negotiator, Grievance Chairperson, building delegate as well as delegate to NYSTA, the NEA, the AFT and NYSUT. Alan pioneered a number of union programs, including bringing the AFT’s ER&D program for professional improvement to the NTA.  He was named the NTA’s Friend of Education in 1987.  Alan is credited with building the NTA’s Benefit Trust Fund.

Alan was also a plaintiff in the retirees’ successful legal case that secured voting rights for Newburgh’s retirees.  In his role with the RTC, Alan has served as a valuable advisor and mentor. RTC applauds and thanks Alan for his many years of service and for his many valuable contributions.
 
May you always have an angel at your side.