He has led captains and met kings, but for a few days recently Gen. David Petraeus came home to embrace Cornwall-on-Hudson.

Petraeus graduated West Point in 1974 as a second lieutenant, but returned for his 35th reunion this year as a four-star general in command of America”™s forces in 20 countries.Â Orange County Legislator Alan Seidman, a high school friend, joined Petraeus on the whirlwind trip of Cornwall and the surrounding area.

Petraeus visited his old high school, greeting students and teachers and met up with some of his former teachers, much to his delight. His visit gave his hometown an opportunity to honor their native son by naming a street after him.
One of Petraeus”™ many stops was at Orange County Choppers, where thanked Paul Teutel Sr., a Viet Nam veteran, for his $250,000 donation to the Wounded Warriors Project and Fischer House (where families of hospitalized veterans can stay for free while visiting loved ones.)

Teutel”™s show, “American Chopper,” caught Petraeus”™ attention when someone was “flicking the television stations when we were on one of the bases.”

Petraeus watched them building a motorbike for veterans that would be auctioned off at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, afloat off Manhattan”™s West Side.

“Imagine my surprise and delight when I found out that the Orange County they were based in was right here in the Hudson Valley and that the winning bidder was Paul, who donated all the money to our wounded military and their families,” said a smiling Petraeus.

Petraeus ended his evening by going to a Boy Scout event at Anthony”™s Pier 9 in New Windsor, where Robert Armistead, president of Armistead Mechanical, was being honored as 2009”™s Distinguished Citizen by valley Scouting.

“I only made it as far as Cub Scout,” soccer-loving Petraeus told the audience, “but the organization teaches children real values that they take with them into adulthood.”

He also thanked his wife, Holly, whom he told the audience was a blind date when he was attending West Point. “We were both nervous about it,” recalled Petraeus. “I was even more nervous when I realized she was the superintendent”™s daughter. She”™s been my greatest ally.” The couple, married 35 years, will now see their own son, Steven, deployed to Afghanistan in April 2010.

Petraeus told dinner guests how much the troops appreciate the thoughtfulness of Americans at home who send letters, emails and packages to those stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“This wasn”™t the treatment our people received in earlier times of conflict” Petraeus said, “and it is a true morale booster for them to be remembered here at home. One thing I”™ve experienced here is the sense of integrity in the Hudson Valley community, the sense of duty when it comes to helping others and loyalty to our troops, even though they may not agree with decisions being made in Washington. It”™s been a humbling experience.”

Reporter”™s notebook, by Kathy Kahn

A vet recollects
One combat veteran who served under Petraeus”™ command during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 had nothing but praise for the high-ranking commander. He is my son.
“Before we went into Iraq in March 2003, he came and spoke to the corporals and sergeants,” said former Marine Sgt. Alex Lazos, who was 22 at the time. “He spoke from his heart, urging us to stay strong and to watch out for the younger guys who were with us.

“When we were on the front lines, some of the guys back in Kuwait weren”™t too pleased because the general was taking their brand-new gear and sending it to the front lines. I can”™t tell you how grateful we were to have something clean to wear and fresh water and food after weeks mortar and air attacks and door-to-door combat. Our clothes were shredded, our food was gone and we were out of water.

“The General came through for the troops on the front line.Â His heart is there for the men and women in uniform ”“ whether privates or captains, it doesn”™t matter to him. He did his best to kept morale up and make sure everyone, no matter what rank, was an important part of the operation. He”™s truly an inspiring leader.”