Skoufis recently honored Vietnam-era soldier
Senator James Skoufis recently honored Vietnam War Veteran Michael Lutz, who was inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame. Lutz, a lifelong Hudson Valley and current New Windsor resident, is a Navy vet, as well as Air and Army National Guardsman, minister, and dedicated community servant.
“It means the world to me to be inducted,” Lutz said. “To be surrounded by siblings, kids, grandkids, fellow veterans, and neighbors, and to have the support of Senator Skoufis and his excellent team, was a thrill and an honor. I just want to keep doing what I’m doing: helping veterans and serving my community.”
The Hall of Fame program was created to honor and recognize outstanding veterans from the Empire State who have distinguished themselves in both military and civilian life. Senator Skoufis joined Mr. Lutz and a group of family, friends, and fellow veterans for a special induction ceremony at American Legion Post 1420 in Newburgh.
Lutz was inducted on June 17 and the day’s presentation also included an invocation by Deacon Anthony Ferraiuolo and remarks from VFW Post Commander Richie Lay, Lutz’s sister Beverly Swift, his son Michael Lutz Jr., and Lutz himself. The group also took a moment of silence to acknowledge the passing of PFC George Wargo, Sr., a Haverstraw veteran who earned the same honor from Skoufis in December and passed earlier this year. Lutz was born on July 13, 1947 and grew up in Garnerville. After graduating from high school in June of 1965, he began what would be 35 years of total service, across three different military branches.
Lutz enlisted in the United States Navy in Sept. 1965. His Navy service, totaling four years, consisted of first attending Radioman “A” school and then being stationed on the Destroyer USS Charles S. Sperry (DD697). Aboard the USS Sperry, he sailed around Asia and Africa on a Goodwill Tour; when the ship docked, they helped build schools and small clinics in remote areas.
In Sept. 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 four Battle Stars. Lutz left Vietnam in Aug. 1969, received an Honorable Discharge, and returned to his hometown in Rockland County.
After working for a few years at St. Regis Paper Company in West Nyack, Lutz joined the Army National Guard, 101ST Signal Battalion, where he served in the Communications Division. Then from 1973 to 1976 he transferred to a medical unit in the Army Reserves, 815th Station Hospital at Stewart Army Subpost, as the sergeant in charge of the Radio Communications Section until 1983.
In 1985, he joined the 105th Air National Guard at Stewart Air Guard Base in Newburgh. There, Lutz worked in the Planning and Scheduling Section as a maintenance scheduler on the C-5-A Galaxy Airplane. During the weekdays, he worked as a postal carrier in New Windsor. After 35 years of military service and 36 years 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, Lutz 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 and still does today.
Lutz is a Life Member of VFW Post 1161, where he serves as the service officer and post chaplain.
He is also a life member of Joseph Farina Catholic War Veterans Post 386 where he serves as the 3rd vice commander and service officer.
As a part of his involvement in local veteran organizations, Lutz has led one of the poppy drives, a joint effort by the VFW and Catholic War Veterans to collect money to donate to veteran causes such as Honor Flight, Purple Heart Foundation, and the Orange County Veterans’ Food Pantry.
“To say that Michael Lutz has worn many hats during his life would be a gross understatement,” Skoufis said. “Be it carrying mail in New Windsor, providing spiritual guidance to fellow servicemen or congregants at St. Francis Church, volunteering with countless veterans’ causes, or his duties as a father and grandfather, no one is more dedicated to his veterans’ community or his family than Michael.
I am deeply honored to share this recognition with him in front of numerous friends and servicemembers and applaud his induction to the Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame.”
Lutz is most proud of his seven children and ten grandchildren, who range from the ages of six to 21-years-old. Following in his footsteps, his eldest son joined the 105th Air National Guard and later transferred to the Navy Active Duty, continuing the family’s long line of service to our nation.
Lutz’s awards include Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 stars, RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
