Veteran's Day

Brigadier General (CT) Jerry Lukowski

Brigadier General (CT) Jerry Lukowski

On this Veterans Day I would like to commend the esteemed career in public service of Brigadier General (CT) Jerry Lukowski.  Who retired this past year, from the apex of his service as Chief of Staff to the Joint Staff for the Connecticut Army National Guard. 

Having dedicated his 36 year long career toward securing the common defense through a distinguished vocation in the Military.  Jerry has moved on to a career in Public Works once again serving the community which will benefit the residents of Southbury with his skill and expertise in positive action and fixing problems.  While the Connecticut Army National Guard is losing an incredibly influential proponent, we can at least find comfort knowing that he will continue to serve residents of Connecticut and the maintenance of its critical infrastructure. 

Jerry sense of duty catalyzed his service to the public through a military-orientated career.  This was exemplified from the earliest days as a military construction surveyor in 1985 and started his civilian education, when he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant through the University of Connecticut ROTC program in 1989 before graduating from the University of New Haven in 1991. 

Armed with a Bachelors in Civil Engineering, Second Lieutenant Lukowski set his sights on a path to leadership within the States civil defense unit, the Connecticut Army National Guard.  He put himself forward on this path, engaging with various career-related roles while simultaneously advancing a civilian and military education, obtaining a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering from his alma mater in 1997, completing countless military instruction courses and acquiring numerous licenses with the State’s engineering apparatus as recent as 2019.

General (CT) Lukowski applied his affinity for knowledge throughout the ranks of his distinguished profession.  His education prepared him for 17 years of service at the several stations of duty within the Combat Engineers and most prominently catalyzed his ability to excel in the latter half of his career as the Construction and Facility Management Officer (CFMO) for 13 years and then Chief of Staff to the Joint Staff since 2016.  As Chief of Staff, General (CT) greatly enhance the operations of the Connecticut Army National Guard, pushing the troops to work with their respective units on their pre-deployment and redeployment requirements.  During his tenure as CFMO, his leadership and expertise in facilities management, fiscal policy and federal contracting enabled the state to obtain nearly $975 million in Military Construction (MILCON) Projects and Sustainment Restoration and Modernization (SRM) funding, resulting in the planning and implementation of 17 large projects and hundreds of regular projects.  His tenacity as an advocate for boosting Connecticut’s emergency response infrastructure has well positioned our state’s readiness capabilities for generations to come and has truly kept the safety of our public at heart.

Jerry has spent his life developing Connecticut’s emergency response infrastructure.  His example of selfless service extends through out his family and we are proud they are Middlebury Residents.  His father (Jerry Sr) as well as his father in-law (Buddy Hollmann) have served 50 years of combined service between the CTARNG and the United States Coast Guard.  One of General (CT) Lukowski daughters has raised her right hand to serve, defend and protect and is attending the US Air Force Academy.

He has served in Kuwait, Afghanistan, Mexican Border, Uruguay, close to all 54 States and Territories and multiple emergency response for disasters since 1985 in Connecticut.   Recently awarded - The Legion of Merit, The Air Force Commendation Medal, The Connecticut Medal of Merit and The Order of Saint Maurice.

Haven risen through the ranks from Second Lieutenant in 1989 all the way to Colonel in just 18 years, then recently promoted to Brigadier General (CT) his impressive line of service to Connecticut has been displayed by his rapid rate of promotion and further by his list of numerous accolades.  To that end, I ask the residents of Middlebury on this Veterans Day in honoring and thanking the entire Lukowski Family for their extensive service to our Nation and State.

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