Monmouth County Welcomes Home
Major Matthew Zilinski
It was like a red, white and blue energy drink for the hundreds
of well-wishers who stepped outside in the time of quarantine to
welcome home Major Matthew Zilinski. Lined up in correct social
the parade of vehicles wound through streets of Middletown to Zilinski’s
home.
The entire event started on Facebook when Zilinski’s wife, Bri-
in the windows and yards.
what was about to happen,” the mother of three said. The whole
thing took off at lighting speed with hundreds of homebound families
eager to celebrate. “I’m still in shock. This is an example of social
media doing something really good. It was an uplifting experience
for everyone, and I was honestly and pleasantly amazed at how
many people came out to make this so special.”
Zilinski is the brother of the late Lt. Dennis W. Ziliniski II, the
namesake of the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund, known to
Journal readers as a previous charitable giving campaign recipient.
The foundation’s mission is honoring the life and memory of U.S.
Army Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II by providing support for wounded
military personnel upon their return home including service dogs,
prosthetics, clothing, handicap construction and scholarships. The
fund also regularly sends care packages to deployed troops with items not
provided to them by the government.
Matthew Zilinski was returning from Kosovo where he served as part
of Operation Joint Guardian. He left New Jersey for that mission on May 28,
2019. His journey started with mobilization training at Fort Bliss, Texas, then
he moved onto Hohenfels, Germany for the second half of the training with
contributing NATO allies. After that, his service was moved to KFOR Regional
Command East.
Howell Township.
very educational experience. We were able to execute our specialty functions
When his tour was complete, Brienne; their daughters, Elliette, Quinn
and friends knew he would soon be back in New Jersey, and plans for his
arrival began taking shape.
“My immediate family knew when I would be coming, but Brienne and
8 MAY 2020 | TheJournalNJ.com
I wanted to keep it
from my daughters
to give them a surprise,”
he said.
Brienne continued,
“We think
our older daughter,
out the surprise, but
in the end it didn’t
matter. The girls
were over the moon.
They have watched
many videos on
YouTube of soldiers
being reunited with
BY LORI DRAZ
their families, and now they have one of those special memories of their
own.”
Typically there is a formal welcome home ceremony, but because of social
distancing rules, things were much quieter.
Ziliniski spent time in quarantine in the U.S. before arriving at McGuire
Air Force base, where he was met by Brienne, his father, three Howell police
motorcycles, one marked patrol vehicle and two Middletown Township police
As he traveled from McGuire down I-195 through Howell Township, his
a right onto Kings Highway and past Middletown Reformed Church, Zilinski’s
congregation. He saw many members of the church community there to
greet him. As they drove to Town Hall, the crowds kept growing, as did enthusiasm.
Zilinski was met at Town Hall by Middletown Mayor Tony Perry and the
Perry made a quick welcome presentation and presented Zilinski with a
3 in his honor.
The last leg of Zilinski’s ride home was on the back of the Navesink Fire
Truck which was led by Middletown, Howell, Holmdel Police and the Mon-
mayor even had a drone tape the entire escort from above.
So, what was on the menu that night? Zilinski had requested a simple
Chinese dinner from their local restaurant, but TST BBQ in Leonardo sent
dinner over for the family. The next morning, Zilinski made pancakes for his
three daughters. He had been raring to enjoy some slices of good ol’ pork roll
but the girls insisted on bacon. Regardless of what’s on the table, Zilinski said
he’s grateful to be home with his family.
Zilinski humbly thanks everyone who came out to make this a memorable
day.
“I really don’t feel like I deserved it, but I sure do appreciate it,” he said.
“I will never forget that wonderful day.”
/TheJournalNJ.com