Fallen Hero Continues to Support Troops Through Memorial Fund

Years after his death, a local hero’s legacy is carried on through his memorial fund and will be remembered during the Lakewood Blue Claws game on Thursday, June 14.

The Dennis W. Zilinski Memorial Fund was created in 2006 after the tragic death of long-time Middletown resident, Dennis Zilinski II. Zilinski’s parents, Marion and Dennis, formed the Dennis W. Zilinski Memorial Fund along with family and friends to carry on their son’s legacy.

“The reason why we were drawn to do a memorial fund was because Dennis’ biggest concern was losing soldiers in his unit,” explained Marion. “Dennis would say to me ‘how can I face their parents if I didn’t do my job and keep my men safe’. Four of them died together and Dennis went with them, he was their platoon leader. It’s natural for me to want to carry on my son’s legacy which is to take care of the men and women serving our county.”

From golf outings, to school scholarships, to dog toys, to the annual Memorial Fund Run/Walk, the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski Memorial Fund continues their mission to help all who are currently serving and have served our county. The sixth inning of tomorrow’s Lakewood Blue Claws game, has been dedicated to memorial fund. For every homerun hit during the sixth inning, $1,000 will be donated to the fund by Ocean First Bank.

“We had the sixth inning dedicated to us at last year’s game. We didn’t get any homeruns last year but we were still able to raise some money. We don’t make a lot of money on this, but we believe that it is something good for kids to see. The cost is cheap so families can come and kids get to see the military that do come out and support them,” explained Marion.

Money raised from last year’s game and other fundraisers, have gone towards bettering the lives of wounded warriors. Through home rebuilds wounded soldiers are able to have better accessibility in their homes. Another way wounded warriors are helped by the memorial fund is by receiving hand crank bikes, which cost a couple thousands of dollars each.  

“Let’s say dad or mom used to ride bikes with the kids. Well let’s say that now dad has no legs. How will he ride bikes? He rides a hand crank bike,” said Marion. “When you give a young parent something like a hand crank bike you give them something that allows them to continue to do a family thing and it gives them some kind of normalcy back to their lives.”

Tomorrow, the Dennis W. Zilinski Memorial Fund will present another hand crank bike to a wounded warrior before the game. The man receiving the bike will also be throwing out one of the first pitches to start off the game.

For more information including tickets and sponsorship please visit www.runwithdennis.org or email RunwithDennis@yahoo.com. Additional information about future fundraisers can also be found there.