The second annual Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Run/Walk to benefit the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund will be held on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. at the PNC Bank Arts Center, Garden State Parkway Exit 116, Holmdel.
The run will be 3.5 miles and the walk will be 2 miles. For sponsorship and sign-up information visit www.Run- WithDennis.org.
According to a press release, proceeds from the event will help the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund fulfill its mission of helping disabled service members on their return home from deployment, and their families and to fund a partial academic scholarship at Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, in Zilinski’s name.
On Nov. 19, 2005, Zilinski was killed in action while serving in Bayji, Iraq. A native of the shore area, Zilinski grew up in Middletown, graduated from CBA in 2000 and from the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 2004. An accomplished swimmer, Zilinski was a standout athlete at the Red Bank YMCA, CBA and while serving as a member of the Army’s 101st Airborne Division.
The Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund has supported the following nonprofit programs:
• Underwater Warriors Foundation Inc. – Created to provide scuba diving as therapeutic recreation for injured servicemen and servicewomen.
• Fisher House – Provides free or lowcost lodging to veterans and military families receiving treatment at military medical centers.
• Warrior and Family Support Center – Brook Army Medical Center – Supports families of patients receiving care at the nearby medical center.
On the day of the memorial run/walk, a Veterans Day ceremony and a tribute to Zilinski will take place at 8:50 a.m.
A reception hosted by Carrabba’s Italian Grill will take place at the PNC Bank Arts Center immediately after the race. Major sponsors include Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Middletown, Lawes Oil Company/Lawes Environmental Services, Investors Savings Bank, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Durso Financial Group of Wachovia Securities, Poland Springs and Glaceau-Vitamin Water.