Meadow Hill

Yacht Club holds blessing of the fleet ceremony

By Louise Haight
Posted 6/23/22

“I was young and now I am old,Yet I have never seen the righteous forsakenOr their children begging bread.They are always generous and lend freely;Their children will be blessed.”Psalm …

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Meadow Hill

Yacht Club holds blessing of the fleet ceremony

Posted

“I was young and now I am old,
Yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
Or their children begging bread.
They are always generous and lend freely;
Their children will be blessed.”

Psalm 37:25-26    

On June 11, Catholic War Veterans Joseph R. Farina Memorial Post 386 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1161 member Michael C. Lutz, was officially inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame by NYS Senator James Skoufis, at the Town of Newburgh American Legion Hall.  VFW Commander Richard Lay coordinated this event with the help of Senator Skoufis’ aide, Yasmine Bouchari, who gave the Welcome, followed by an Invocation by Deacon Anthony Ferraiuolo, Chaplain of the CWV Post.

Mrs. Beverly Swift, Michael’s older sister, spoke of their family background, including the hardships endured throughout their life and how Michael took over the duties of a “father” to their family when their father left them.  She said she believes this experience provided him with the continual desire to help anyone and everyone with whatever they needed within his ability. Furthermore, he comes from a family of dedicated and military enlistees.  She is proud of his service to his God, his family, and to his country.  Several members of Michael’s family, including his sisters, sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren were so very proud and honored to attend his grandiose life achievement award.

Ms. Bouchari introduced NYS Senator Skoufis who spoke of Lutz’s 35 years of military service, which included active duty in the US Navy and his time spent during the Vietnam war; followed by service in the NY Army National Guard, and finally his service in the NYS Air National Guard, and his retirement from the U.S. Postal Service.  Currently, Lutz is both 3rd Vice Commander and Service Officer of the CWV Joseph R. Farina Memorial Post 386 and Chaplain and Service Officer of VFW Post 1161.  

Selecting a nominee from Orange County is most difficult because of the military veterans who live here and have been engaged in many military combat situations, since many are from West Point and NY Air National Guard at Stewart.  However, after reading Lutz’s biography, Skoufis had no difficulty in selecting him.  He offered his wholehearted congratulations, as he presented the award identifying Michael as a member of the 2022 New York State Veterans Hall of Fame.

Lutz, the humble care-giving man accepted the award graciously, stating he was honored to be inducted into the Veterans Hall of Fame.  His acceptance speech simply included his noting that he was the third CWV Post 386 member to accept this recognition, citing the late NYS Col. William J. Larkin as the first; followed by CWV Post 386 founder and Past commander, the late Joseph R. Farina.  God bless you and your loving family.
 
The Newburgh Yacht Club celebrated its annual Commissioning of the Yacht Club and Blessing of the Fleet on June 12, praying the drenching rains of late would take mercy on this reverent celebration, and with that prayer in mind, Master of Ceremonies asked for an extra dose of prayers from Chaplain Deacon Peter Haight, the spiritual link between the club, the boats, and that Eternal Captain in the sky, for a generous gift of sunny skies.  Answered prayers brought sunny smiles to the joyful crowd as the sun gloriously warmed the hearts of everyone.

The ceremony is patriotic and solemn as Deacon Peter prays and blesses the fleet, as the parade of boats travel in stately procession on the Hudson and come dockside to receive a myriad of blessings, one is that God bless them with His protection and shield all who ride in them from harm and injury.

Equally touching is the Club Memorial Ceremony with the Commodore calling upon the audience to remember those who have passed away during the past year, with a prayer by the Chaplain and the heart-warming tradition of tossing of memorial flowers into the river.  This wonderful ceremony was followed by a delicious Sunday Brunch and promises to the beginning of a pleasant season, in our valley’s natural gift, the magnificent Hudson!

May you always have an angel at you side.