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3rd Annual Blue Claws Baseball Outing

June 14th, 2011 was Flag Day. It was also the day of the 3rd Annual Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II Memorial Fund Blue Claws Baseball Outing, attended by 270 fun loving guests. 21 Sailors from Earle Naval Base and 14 soldiers from the New Jersey Army National Guard, along with their families were hosted by the fund as their guests. This is the part of the fund that makes it worthwhile, sharing and making good things happen for those who give so much and sacrifice so much for our freedom.

A large photo of Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II was featured on the jumbo screen, followed by the playing of a DVD honoring all of the fallen from the 101st Airborne Division, Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, during the deployment of September, 2005 to September, 2006.

The first pitch on behalf of the memorial fund was thrown by Gen. James Grant, NJANG and wounded warrior Seabie Maria Maglione.

The crowd was wowed by the singing of our National Anthem by Alison Tardogo, one of the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II scholarship recipients from The Middletown Reformed Church. The cheers and the clapping at the finish let Alison know just how much the fans appreciated her singing. Not only were we lucky to have her sing the National Anthem, but Alison was back again in the 7th for the singing of God Bless America.

The reserved picnic area came alive with the bright apple green shirts, sponsored by Durso-Frazier Wealth Management Group and the crowd in the entire picnic area were waving their American Flags. The food was awesome as usual and we were treated to a whole new menu this year!

For the third year, the weather was beautiful with the rain holding out until the extra innings. For the third year, our Blue Claws won the game in extra innings too. There was extra yelling from the crowd during the 6th inning, which is the inning assigned to our fund by Ocean First Bank. If a home run is hit by a Blue Claw Baseball Player, our memorial fund receives another $1,000.00 donation from the bank towards a grant that we received from them. No homerun was hit at our outing.

Smiling faces, lots of eating and talking, flag waving and most of all support of our troops was apparent in the crowd. This is a great outing for families with small children. The price is right, you get good food, you get a shirt and you get to support our wounded warriors all in one fun night. Thank you again to our committed sponsors, supporters and of course, our military.

The event next year will be held at the same time. If you didn't make it this year, plan on being there next year. Until then GO BLUE CLAWS.



Grant Received from Ocean First Bank
Supporting Home Runs For Heroes

The Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II Memorial Fund is pleased to announce that they are one of the recipients of a grant from Ocean First Bank for the 2011 Blue Claws Baseball Team.

Ocean First Bank has sponsored Home Runs For Heroes for many years. Our memorial fund was selected in April of this year to receive a grant. The initial grant was for $1,000.00. Our fund was assigned the 6th inning. Any home run that was hit by a Blue Claw player in the 6th inning would score an additional $1,000.00 in grant money. This year 2 home runs were hit and our grant increased to $3,000.00.

Thank you Ocean First for your dedication and commitment to supporting our military through programs such as ours. The funds received will be put to good use supporting our servicemen/women.