June 6, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 9
Not forgotten: Deleeuw’s service recognized
by Jennifer Crusco On Memorial Day, Vietnam veteran Stuart Deleeuw experienced a pleasant surprise orchestrated by the members of the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School’s eighth grade Class of 1960. Forty years after his service as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot, Deleeuw had his name added to the Memorial Park Monument in his former hometown. He was greeted by several of his grade school classmates and two of his former teachers. “I was just blown away,” Deleeuw told Villadom TIMES. “I had no idea what was going to happen. All of those classmates were there, and I got a booklet made by Dave Price (another class of 1960 member). “I considered Ho-Ho-Kus my hometown. I went to Ridgewood High School (which accepted Ho-Ho-Kus’ high school age students at the time), and Tampa University. I was on the crew team and joined a fraternity. Then I volunteered to be a helicopter pilot. I had flown a few hours in a small plane before.” Deleeuw explained that his nine uncles served in World War II, and believed he also needed to serve. He added, “My parents moved to Fort Lee while I was in the service, so there was no Ho-Ho-Kus address on my discharge papers.” As a result, his name was not added to the monument. In 2003, Price organized a four-day class reunion, which Deleeuw attended. Deleeuw said his classmates showed their respect and appreciation for his service in Vietnam.
Stuart ‘Rocketman’ Deleeuw was greeted by Councilman Kevin Shea.
“It was healing for me,” Deleeuw acknowledged. Former classmate Georgia Page Duff Schwartz and Price let the charge to have Deleeuw recognized in Ho-Ho-Kus. Schwartz and Deleeuw had been in touch because Schwartz’s son had become a helicopter pilot. She visited Ho-Ho-Kus, and worked with Ho-Ho-Kus Historian John Hanlon and former classmate Cliff Grupe to have Deleeuw recognized for his contributions. Schwartz, who is now a Texas resident, (continued on page 10)
Top photo: Stuart Deleeuw with his classmates from the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School. Bottom photo: Deleeuw with classmate David Price, Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Historian John Hanlon, and classmate Georgia Page Duff Schwartz.