Lawrence C. Michaelis, III

SFC Lawrence C. Michaelis, III, U.S. Army Retired 1984-2008
Lawrence was a resident of Millcreek, a 1982 Cathedral Prep Graduate, who attending Penn State Behrend from 1982-84. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 4, 1984 completing his 11B Infantry training at Ft. Benning, GA. While there, he was chosen for the 3rd U.S. Infantry The Old Guard, Presidential Escort, Ft. Myer, VA. Lawrence proudly served in two Presidential Inaugurations for President Reagan in 1985 & President Bush in 1989, and was casted in the 1987 Francis Ford Coppola movie about Arlington National Cemetery during the Vietnam War “Gardens of Stone”. His unit was sent to Panama presiding “Just Cause” in Spring 1989. From August to December 1989, Lawrence attended 93C Air Traffic Controller school at Ft. Rucker, AL; after which he was stationed at Desiderio Army Air Field, Camp Humphreys, South Korea for a one year overseas tour beginning January 1990, controlling air traffic of Chinooks, Blackhawks, and fixed-wing (C-130s, RC-12s) aircraft. Desiderio AA is the busiest airfield in Asia-Pacific theater. He was affected by Stop/Loss in January 1991, due to Desert Shield/Desert Storm Operations and remained in South Korea until May 1991. From May 1991 to February 1993, Lawrence returned to CONUS for duty at Ft. Sill Army Airfield, OK controlling air traffic for supporting artillery and air defense training for Army aviation assets. From January to March 1994, Lawrence was chosen for Recruiting duty and was sent to the U.S. Army Recruiting Command in Ft. Ben Harrison, IN; after which he stationed at the Erie Recruiting Station, Erie, PA from March, 1994-January, 1997. He became the Station Commander at the following:
1) Girard Recruiting Station, Girard, PA from January 1997 to January 1998,
2) Kittanning Recruiting Station, Kittanning, PA from January 1998 to February 1999,
3)Butler Recruiting Station, Butler, PA from February 1999 to June 2000.
In June, 2000, Lawrence was stationed at the Albany Military Entrance Processing Station, Albany, NY and attended Guidance Counselor school in Ft. Jackson, SC from July 2000 to September 2000. He worked as a Guidance Counselor, during which time the Albany Recruiting Battalion that covers a large area of NE United States and Europe, played a primary role in the aftermath of the 9/11 Attack in New York City in the subsequent increase in military enlistments and ongoing support functions, rather than direct search and rescue operations at Ground Zero. 
The battalion focused on its core mission of "providing the strength" for the U.S. Army, working to process and enlist qualified individuals who came forward in the wake of the attacks. Lawrence advanced to Albany Battalion Operations in 2004 until he Retired in May 2008 after serving 24 years on active duty.
During his 24 years of active duty service Lawrence earned:
Meritorious Service Medal/Army Commendation Medal (3rd award)/Army Achievement Medal (4th award)/Army Superior Unit Award/Army Good Conduct Medal (7th award)/National Service Defense Medal (2nd award)/Global War on Terrorism Service Medal/Korean Defense Medal/Commissioned Officer Professional Development (3rd award)/Army Service Ribbon/Overseas Service Ribbon/Driver and Mechanic Badge - Mechanic/Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge/Air Assault Badge/USA Recruiter Badge, Gold Recruiter Ring, Glenn E Morrell Award.
Upon Retirement, Lawrence continued to wear his uniform as a JROTC instructor, teaching at Christian Brothers Academy in Colonie, NY from August 2008 until September 2015.
In September 2015, Lawrence and his family returned to his state of residence and resides north of Pittsburgh, PA where he continues to serve the Veteran Community. Lawrence worked for the American Legion as a Veterans Service Representative from October 2015 until October 2017, traveling across Western Pennsylvania assisting veterans with filing medical claims. In October 2017, Lawrence began working directly for the Veterans Administration in Pittsburgh, further serving veterans as a Veterans Service Representative and then onto VSR - Rater to present day.
Lawrence is a Veterans Advocate for many Community organizations/causes: He serves as a Trustee at American Legion Post 114; Director of the American Legion Riders Post 114; Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 894; Member of the Pennsylvania Patriot Guard Riders; Vice President of the ‘Ride for Homeless Veterans’, which has raised thousands of dollars and awareness of Homeless Veterans across western Pennsylvania.