Yep, it's ya girl kicking it off this morning!! Happy Wednesday from Cairo everyone!
Very honored Major let me take this military appreciation day to tell you all a little bit about one of the most amazing men I've ever met. Mark Ponzillo is my SIL's dad. He passed away unexpected 2 years ago. I first met Mr Mark in 2000 when his daughter Kerri was dating my step brother.....He was the nicest, most genuine guy I'd met in a long time. When I went thru the divorce and was diagnosed with breast cancer he offered unexpected words of encouragement, he and his wife visited often and really just made me feel like everything was going to be ok. Sometimes you don't know half of someone's story and boy, I didn't know about Mr Mark.
At his funeral I learned who he really was. Shocked, loss for words....totally impressed beyond description. The men that stood up to talk about him, the stories I heard that day describing the man I thought I knew.....I was amazed, proud and in awe. He was recently inducted into the Ranger HOF and his ashes scattered over the jump field at Ft Benning.
"This is LTC Mark Ponzillo Jr.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Mark Ponzillo is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for extraordinary achievement, and exemplary service as commander of the 25th Infantry Division’s Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol Company. In April 1966, the Commanding General 25th Infantry Division selected then Captain Ponzillo to create and command the Division’s company sized reconnaissance unit. Captain Ponzillo’s task was to form and train a unit that had no personnel, no equipment, and no living quarters. This provisional unit was to be formed from volunteers across the division and equipment and supplies were begged and borrowed from Third Squadron, Fourth Calvary. Captain Ponzillo set about developing a Standard Operating Procedure and combat tactics for his new unit. Many of the tactics he formulated 1966 are still are still being used by U S Special Operations units today. Captain Ponzillo commanded the LRRP Company until November of 1966. He was then reassigned to the 5th Special Forces Group Alpha, Vietnam. December of 1967 the 25th ID LRRPs were designated Company F, 50th Infantry Long Range Patrol and again later in February of 1969 the unit was designated Company F, 75th Infantry Rangers. LTC Ponzillo continued his military service until retiring in August of 1978. He served two tours in Vietnam. In addition to his tour with the 25th Infantry division, he served with the 5th Special Forces Group Alpha and MACV Studies and Observation Group in 1968-69. The unit that he was tasked to create and all the other Divisional Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Companies performance in Vietnam laid the foundation for today’s Ranger and Special Operations units. Keeping with the Ranger creed and motto, LTC(R) Ponzillo knew what was expected of him as an elite soldier, never failed his comrades and completed his mission. LTC(R) Mark Ponzillo “Leads the Way.” #RLTW"
Mark Ponzillo was a bad ass man. Proud to have known him, proud to call him family.
Prayers for all, Go Dawgs!
April
Very honored Major let me take this military appreciation day to tell you all a little bit about one of the most amazing men I've ever met. Mark Ponzillo is my SIL's dad. He passed away unexpected 2 years ago. I first met Mr Mark in 2000 when his daughter Kerri was dating my step brother.....He was the nicest, most genuine guy I'd met in a long time. When I went thru the divorce and was diagnosed with breast cancer he offered unexpected words of encouragement, he and his wife visited often and really just made me feel like everything was going to be ok. Sometimes you don't know half of someone's story and boy, I didn't know about Mr Mark.
At his funeral I learned who he really was. Shocked, loss for words....totally impressed beyond description. The men that stood up to talk about him, the stories I heard that day describing the man I thought I knew.....I was amazed, proud and in awe. He was recently inducted into the Ranger HOF and his ashes scattered over the jump field at Ft Benning.
"This is LTC Mark Ponzillo Jr.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Mark Ponzillo is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for extraordinary achievement, and exemplary service as commander of the 25th Infantry Division’s Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol Company. In April 1966, the Commanding General 25th Infantry Division selected then Captain Ponzillo to create and command the Division’s company sized reconnaissance unit. Captain Ponzillo’s task was to form and train a unit that had no personnel, no equipment, and no living quarters. This provisional unit was to be formed from volunteers across the division and equipment and supplies were begged and borrowed from Third Squadron, Fourth Calvary. Captain Ponzillo set about developing a Standard Operating Procedure and combat tactics for his new unit. Many of the tactics he formulated 1966 are still are still being used by U S Special Operations units today. Captain Ponzillo commanded the LRRP Company until November of 1966. He was then reassigned to the 5th Special Forces Group Alpha, Vietnam. December of 1967 the 25th ID LRRPs were designated Company F, 50th Infantry Long Range Patrol and again later in February of 1969 the unit was designated Company F, 75th Infantry Rangers. LTC Ponzillo continued his military service until retiring in August of 1978. He served two tours in Vietnam. In addition to his tour with the 25th Infantry division, he served with the 5th Special Forces Group Alpha and MACV Studies and Observation Group in 1968-69. The unit that he was tasked to create and all the other Divisional Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Companies performance in Vietnam laid the foundation for today’s Ranger and Special Operations units. Keeping with the Ranger creed and motto, LTC(R) Ponzillo knew what was expected of him as an elite soldier, never failed his comrades and completed his mission. LTC(R) Mark Ponzillo “Leads the Way.” #RLTW"
Mark Ponzillo was a bad ass man. Proud to have known him, proud to call him family.
Prayers for all, Go Dawgs!
April
