Dennis W. Zilinski, II was born on December 23, 1981.  He is the son of Dennis W. and Marion R. Zilinski, grandson of Anna Zilinski, brother of Douglas and his wife ToniAnn, Arizona, Michele and her husband David, Arizona, Tiffany and her fiancé James, New Jersey and 2Lt. Matthew J. Zilinski, NJARNG, New Jersey.  Dennis has four nephews and two nieces. 

Dennis’ greatest loves were God, his family, country, friends, swimming and the United States Army. Dennis was a very willing person who would drop everything to help you.   His trademark  was his wonderful smile, always beaming. 

Dennis grew up in Middletown, New Jersey a member of the Middletown Reformed Church and attended school at Middletown Village, Thorne Middle School and graduated from Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft.  He received his nomination to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 2004.  He also completed Airborne School while a student at West Point.

Prior to attending college, Dennis was a swimmer with the Red Bank YMCA for many years, and continued to swim at Christian Brothers Academy.  While attending the United States Military Academy at West Point, he was the Captain of the men’s team as a Firstie (Senior) and was awarded the Class of 1923 Memorial Award for Outstanding Member of Men’s Team and the Captain Michael W. Kilroy Memorial Award for the Captain of the Men’s Swim Team.

Upon completion of Officer Basic Course in Ft. Benning, GA, Dennis was accepted into Ranger School and graduated in March of 2005.  Being awarded his Ranger “Tab” was probably his highest achievement as an Army officer.  He was so proud of his accomplishment.  Dennis truly lived by West Point’s motto of DUTY, HONOR, and COUNTRY, and stood behind the nation’s mission 100%, ready to serve and protect the freedoms so many citizens cherish. He also lived by the Army values of LOYATY, DUTY, RESPECT, SELFLESS-SERVICE, HONOR, INTEGRITY, PERSONAL COURAGE.  

After graduation from Ranger School, he was assigned to the 1/187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) “Rakkasan”.  He deployed with the 101st Airborne Division on September 17, 2005.  Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II died in Iraq on November 19, 2005 as a result of a roadside bombing near Bayji, 155 miles north of Baghdad.  Lt. Zilinski’s medals include: Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Global War on Terror,  Iraq Campaign Service Medal and the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal.

At the time of his death, Dennis was engaged to Lt. Marie Cicerelle, who is also stationed with the 101st Airborne Division and they planned to married upon their return from Iraq in 2006.  Marie continues to serve in the Army.

In an act of love, the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II Memorial Fund has been established by his friends and his family.  The first Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II Memorial Run/Walk was held in November of 2006.  The second Run/Walk will be held on November 11, 2007 at the PNC Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ.  Proceeds of the run/walk will be utilized to continue to sponsor programs for injured soldiers and for scholarships to Dennis’ high school.

            The 3^rd Annual Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial 3.5 Mile Run/2 mile Walk Committee, would like to express their sincere gratitude to all those who support our event.  On November 9, 2008, 1200 people came together at the PNC Arts Center, in Holmdel, to honor the memory of Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II and to pay tribute to all our Veterans and military personnel.  Lt. Zilinski grew up in Middletown, NJ, attended Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, NJ and the United States Military Academy at West Point.  On November 19, 2005, Lt. Dennis Zilinski was killed as a result of a roadside bombing near Bayji, Iraq.  In an act of love, the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II Memorial Fund, a 501(c)(3) non profit organization, has been established by his friends and family to provide various forms of assistance to wounded service members, and to support academic scholarships at Dennis’ high school.  We would like to thank all the runners and walkers who gave it their best effort on a challenging course throughout the Arts Center property.  The support of our sponsors has been tremendous and we thank Investors Savings Bank, Randy and Maureen McDonald, Red Bank Title Agency, Inc.,  PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ann Evans Estabrook & Ron Gravino, Durso-Frazier Wealth Management Group of Wachovia Securities, New Jersey State Police – Troop E, New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Utopia Communications, NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The Dardin Fund, Inc., Howell Township PBA Local 228, Vic Gerard Golf Cars and Glaceau Vitamin Water.    We thank all of our additional sponsors listed on our website, www.runwithdennis.org which was designed and is maintained by Medforce.

            Our post race reception was again provided by Carrabba’s Italian Grill of Middletown, whose Proprietor, Jerilyn Rembisz, has generously sponsored this event for three years.  We could not accomplish any of this if we did not have the best volunteers!  Thank you all!  A special thanks to the CBA Community, The United States Military Academy Cadets, Monmouth County Command Center, MONOC, the New Jersey National Guard, the New Jersey State Police – Troop E, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, The New Jersey Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, Middletown Twp. EMS, Holmdel Twp. EMS and The New York Giants Football Team.