It was a cool crisp night, but that didn't stop supporters of the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund from attending the very first outing at the Blue Claws Baseball game on Tuesday, June 16, 2009. The picnic area where we all gathered quickly filled up and the food was served.

During the presentation of the colors and the singing of the National Anthem, a plane flew overhead flying the Stars and Stripes. The crowd was silent and realized the impact of being there to celebrate Military Appreciation Day and to honor our own Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II.

Lt. Brian Brennan was present to throw out the honorary first pitch. Brian is known to the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II Memorial Fund as the recipient of one of their many donations.

Three New Jersey Army National Guardsmen and their families were our guests at the event. These soldiers just returned home from their one year tour of duty in Iraq. Sgt. John Radzimski, 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, was honored to throw out the first pitch on behalf of our fund. When thanked for attending so soon after returning home his reply was, "Are you kidding me, I felt like a million bucks." Also in attendance were Spec4 Andre Yanez and Sgt. Richard Taggert, also from the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. These two soldiers and their families appreciated being honored and thanked by the whole crowd.

Ryan Charterina, a recipient of the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II scholarship from Christian Brothers Academy, showed his support by coming to the game to support the fund and to honor our military.

Many thanks to the generous sponsors for supporting this event and to those who attended. All proceeds of the event will be placed in our general fund and donations will be made at a future date.

Look for emails to bring you up to date on the happenings of the memorial fund. Visit www.runwithdennis.org for occasional updates.
Until then, SWING BATTER, BATTER.

Sponsors for the Blue Claws Event :

T-Shirt Sponsors:

Edible Arrangements of Ocean Township
The Journal

Platinum Sponsors:

Red Bank Title Agency, Inc.
Goodman Networks
AUSA Fort Monmouth Chapter

Gold Sponsors:

PSG Group, Inc.
Chicago Title Insurance Company
Globe Communications Systems, Inc.

Silver Sponsors:

Alice and Charles McManus
Bill England
Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.
Julie Bair
Lawrence S. Pollin
Manasquan VFW Post 1838
Stone Graphics Company, Inc.
Aaski Technology, Inc.
Anna Zilinski
Al Pellegrino
Todd and Susan Edwards
Middletown VFW Post 2179
V & S Landscape Supply
Streett Software, Inc
Susan and Ryan Jones
East Dover Marina

Friends of Dennis:

The Ventrone Family
Gregory Peterson
John Buckley
Mel and Mary Morton