Page 56 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2022 - Online Magazine

Sergeant First Class Michael Lopez
ccording to the Field
Artillery Association,
A“the Honorable Order
of Saint Barbara recognizes
those individuals who have
demonstrated the highest
standards of integrity and
moral character; displayed
an outstanding degree of
professional competence; served
the United States Army (or
Marine Corps Field Artillery)
with selflessness; and contributed
to the promotion of the Field
Artillery in ways that stand out
in the eyes of the recipient’s
seniors, subordinates, and peers
alike.”
Michael Lopez earned that
prestigious honor as a Motor
Sgt./Platoon Sgt. (maintenance
technician) assigned to 5-3 Air
Defense Artillery.
He was only 17 when he
followed in his father’s footsteps
and enlisted in the Army through
the delayed entry program in
November 1977 and went active
duty in September 1978. He
attended basic training at Fort
Knox, Kentucky and received his
advanced individual job training
as a Track Vehicle Repairman,
63C.
56 Lubbock Senior Link
Born to Serve
By Angela Lopez
Perhaps he was
“born to serve.”
He made his
initial “visit” to a
military base in
1960 when he was
born at Fort Bliss
Army Post in El
Paso, where his
father Jose Lopez
was serving. Jose
and his wife,
Jacqueline, raised
Michael and his three brothers
and one sister in Utah,
Colorado, Germany, and
Florida.
During Michael’s nearly
21-year career, he traveled
to many countries
learning their culture
and way of life. One of
his most memorable
experiences was at the
1-K Zone on the border of
East and West Germany,
seeing the East German
soldiers during the Cold
War.
There were also lots of fun
times for Michael and his family
while he served. One funny
moment was during a family
trip to Luxembourg. While
getting directions at a stoplight,
in Michael’s best use of the
German language, he asked a
guy on a motorcycle how to get
downtown. After the gentleman
let Michael stammer around a
bit, the guy told him, “We all
basically speak English here.”
But a career in the Army isn’t
all travel and experiencing
other cultures. When Michael
was deployed to Iraq for Desert
Storm, the daily preparation for
battle lasted six months, before
his unit ever went in.
Michael achieved the rank of
E-7/Sergeant First Class, and
he humbly served, with hopes
that he would make his parents
proud. In addition to the Order
of St. Barbara Medal and before
his discharge after 20 years, 10
months, and 3 days, E-7/Sgt. 1st
Class Michael Lopez received
(among others) the Army
Commendation
and Meritorious
Service medals.
Michael’s first job
after retirement
was for Caterpillar
Inc., working in the
same career field.
He later went on
to work for ITT,
a Department of
Defense service
contract at Fort
Carson, Colorado.
Later in his career, Michael
returned to Iraq and Kuwait as
a civilian field service rep for
BAE Systems, where he was
embedded with a unit for six
months as a technical assistant.
Michael has been married to
Angie Lopez, a freelance writer
and trade coordinator, since
September 2006. They enjoy
working in their garden, playing
with their dogs, Dolly and
Lemon, and spending time with
their children, grandchildren,
and great-grandchildren.
Michael’s family includes two
daughters and their spouses,
eight grandchildren, two great-