Memorializing a fallen hero:
VA clinic renamed for
Sgt. Michael A. Marzano
USMC
Son Of Al Marzano
By Joe Pinchot
Herald Staff Writer
HERMITAGE —
To Margy E. Bons, it seemed that her son, Michael A.
Marzano, had wanted to be in the military since he was a baby.
His father, Albert B. Marzano, was a Marine, and young
Michael, who could barely walk, would put on his dad’s uniform and
trip over the too-large clothes, she said.
“He always talked about being a Marine,” Ms. Bons
said.
To know that their son lived out his dream was only
partially comforting for Ms. Bons of Desert Hills, Ariz., and Albert
Marzano of Greenville, who attended Saturday’s dedication of the
renaming of the Mercer County Veterans Administration Outpatient
Clinic in Hermitage in honor of their son, a Marine sergeant.
“I would rather have him here than be here for this,”
Albert Marzano said.
But, both parents said they were honored that their
son was being memorialized for his service.
“It helps to keep talking about him,” Ms. Bons said.
“It keeps his legacy alive.”
“I know he would be proud of this,” Albert Marzano said.
Marzano, 28, a Greenville native and 1995 graduate of
Sharon High School, was killed in a suicide bomber attack May 7, 2005,
in Haditha, Iraq.
Marzano was the first soldier from Mercer County to
die in the war on terror.
“I have read the report of his commanding officer,”
said U.S. Rep. Phil English, Erie, R-3rd District, who introduced the
renaming bill in the House. “His heroism saved the lives of a number
of people in his company.”
The renaming was a lengthy process bogged down in
congressional politics, but English and Jason Altmire, Wexford, D-4th
District, said the unanimous support of Mercer County veterans
advocates led to the passage.
“Thank you for keeping the faith and helping us to
make this dream a reality,” English said.
English presented Marzano’s parents copies of the
renaming legislation and pens that President Bush used to sign it.
We’re here because Michael earned the right to have
his name on this building,” Altmire said.
Two Marines escorted Marzano’s parents to a place
below the American, military, state and prisoner of war flags, where
his portrait was unveiled, and then taken inside the clinic to be
hung.
“We are gathered here to honor a young man who honored
us with his life and his service,” said Gary G. Solander, Mercer
County director of veterans affairs. “Michael Marzano gave his life
for his country in the service of freedom, which is the very highest
payment any human being can make.”
The event was attended by 200 to 300 people, including
members of Veterans of Foreign Wars posts from all over Mercer County,
members of the Yellow Ribbon Families support group, and local,
county, state and federal elected officials.
Albert Marzano, a Vietnam War veteran who gets medical
care at the clinic, said Vietnam War-era friends and acquaintances
came from as far away as Texas for the dedication.
Speaking of the VFW attendees, he said: “I expected
maybe the local one. I didn’t expect all of them. That was very nice.”
Sgt. Michael Marzano
Memorial Guestbook
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