NEWBURGH – Senator James Skoufis has honored Vietnam War Veteran Michael Lutz – lifelong Hudson Valley resident, Navy vet as well as Air and Army National guardsman, minister, and dedicated community servant – as he was inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame.
“To say that Michael Lutz has worn many hats during his life would be a gross understatement,” said Skoufis. “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.”
“It means the world to me to be inducted,” said Lutz. “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.”
Lutz was born on July 13th, 1947 to Anna Martello and Charles Lutz 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 Navy in September of 1965.
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, Lutz joined the 105th Air National Guard at Stewart Air Guard Base in Newburgh.
During the weekdays, he worked as a postal carrier in New Windsor.
After 35 years of military service and 36 years of federal service, Lutz retired at the rank of master sergeant 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 and still does today.
Michael’s awards include Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal with four stars, RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
