Middletown Couple Honored For Dennis Zilinski, Killed In Iraq

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — A Middletown couple will be honored at a gala next month in remembrance of a U.S. soldier from Middletown who was tragically killed in combat in Iraq in 2005.

The memorial fund is in honor of Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II, who was killed in Iraq by a roadside bomb in 2005. The husband and wife are retired Navy Lt. William Rustico and his wife, Deborah.

Zilinski was only 23 years old when he was killed in action. He was a native of Middletown and graduated from Christian Brothers Academy, where he was a member of the varsity swim team. Zilinski was nominated to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 2004. He completed Airborne School while a student at West Point. 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 to Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division on September 17, 2005. On November 19, 2005, only two months into his deployment, Zilinski was killed by a roadside bomb that went off near Bayji, 155 miles north of Baghdad.

Since Zilinski's untimely death, family and friends have united with the memorial fund to provide support to improve the morale and welfare of members of the U.S armed forces and their families.

“There is no better way to honor my son’s memory and exemplary life than to support severely injured veterans and their families,” said Marion Zilinski, Dennis' mother, who set up the fund in her son's memory.

Lt. Rustico served as fire control officer and damage control assistant in the U.S. Navy aboard U.S.S. Oldendorf. He was deployed to the Western Pacific and the Persian Gulf. He also served as an office recruiter. His decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Recruiting Ribbon and Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon.

After leaving the Navy, Bill attended business school at Northwestern University and then worked on Wall Street in various sales and management functions.

Debbie is a lifelong soccer player and was a four-year starter on the women’s team at Princeton University. She attended business school at Kellogg at Northwestern, then went to work on Wall Street in various finance roles. She’s been the chief operating officer of MidOcean Partners, a global hedge fund and private equity firm, for 21 years.

Bill and Debbie graciously opened their home to the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II Memorial Fund in 2013 to host the Gala. Bill currently serves the organization as a board member.

A Mantoloking couple will also be honored at the gala, as will a young woman from Holmdel, Madison Huber. Huber is a Trinity Hall graduate who raised money to provide service dogs for veterans when she was still in high school. She's currently enrolled at Clemson University.

The gala, called "A Toast to Dennis – A Night of Remembrance," now in its eleventh year, will be held at the Eagle Oaks Country Club in Farmingdale, on Friday, September 13. The mission of the gala is to support veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other life-altering injuries, as well as their families. Funds raised will also support deployed servicemen and servicewomen throughout the year with supplies and goodies.

One of the main goals of the memorial fund is to sponsor service dogs for wounded soldiers suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injury. To date, the Dennis Zilinski Memorial Fund has sponsored more than 87 dogs at a cost of $15,000 per service dog.

"A Toast to Dennis" will be an evening of cocktails, dinner, dancing, entertainment and live and silent auctions. Entertainment will be provided by the "Docs of Rock." This is the second year they are donating their services. The centerpieces are also donated by "Especially for You Florist" in Freehold for the fifth year in a row. Individual tickets are $150 each. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, including sponsorship of a serviceman or servicewoman to attend.

For more information about sponsorships or placing an ad journal, please contact Annie O'Pray-Stattel, Board Member and Gala Committee Chairperson, at astattel@gmail.com. Learn more: www.RunwithDennis.org

Prior Patch reporting on this topic:

Remembering Dennis: Middletown Reformed Church Hosts Lieutenant Dennis W. Zilinski II Youth Group Memorial Scholarship BBQ

Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund Continues to Support Super Bowl Party for Wounded Warriors

Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund Receives $1,500 Donation from Eatontown's Circle BMW