County Executive Neuhaus recognized as Veteran of the Year by Orange County Veterans Coalition

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus was recognized as the Veteran of the Year by the Orange County Veterans Coalition at its annual POW/MIA Day of Remembrance on Sunday, September 22nd at Craigville Park in Goshen.

Tom Urtz, vice president of operations of ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc., was recognized as the Lenny Rifken civilian award winner, which is given to a person for outstanding service to veterans. Urtz, a Highland Mills resident, has long been a champion of causes and initiatives that benefit veterans.

“I appreciate being recognized by the Orange County Veterans Coalition with Tom Urtz, who I consider a good friend,” Neuhaus said. “ShopRite continues to advocate for veterans throughout Orange County and has generously donated to a variety of veteran causes. I experienced that first-hand during my deployment to Iraq. As County Executive, one of my top priorities is to provide our veterans with the support and service they deserve."

Neuhaus serves in the U.S. Navy Reserves as a lieutenant commander, assigned to a Naval Special Operations Team. He was deployed on active duty orders from November of last year until late-June, serving with the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force. Neuhaus spent the majority of his deployment in various locations throughout Iraq in Support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S. Military Campaign against ISIS.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed in the U.S. on the third Friday of September each year. Approximately 82,000 American servicemen and servicewomen remain missing from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War and other conflicts.