Gregory Francis Zavota

West Point, 2005

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Lisa Zavota on September 8, 2008:

Happy 25th birthday baby! You're missed more than you could imagine. I wish you were here to celebrate and we could share some laughs together. But we will meet again and you'll get a long overdue hug. I wanted to let you know what we have been doing to make sure that your memory lives on like your historical hero, William Wallace. We made a contribution in your name to Operation Support Our Troops. They put our contribution together with others and now the Family and Warrior Support Center in Texas will be naming their kitchen after you and the other contributors. I will have to give them my meatball recipe so that we can continue to feed soldiers some good Italian food filled with love. The second contribution we made was to the Boy Scouts of America. Camp Yawgoog will give a scholarship to one of their staff members in your name annually. This year's recipient is Peter Menard. He was selected from a review board out of 45 applicants. Those selected need to have shown example of putting others' needs before their own, with preference going to those that want to serve their country. Peter is going to attend the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He plans to major in mechanical engineering and wants to fly helicopters for the Navy. The funny thing was, when I read his essay, his words reminded me so much of how you would write. I just smiled that he was the person selected, and wondered if you had a part in it. The third contribution was to the RI VA Hospital to purchase an Outreach Medical Van to service homeless veterans. The van is named after you and the program is going to be used as a model for the country. The van bears your name and always will. We know how much the medic branch and flying medevac meant to you. I know your spirit will ride with the medical staff to help guide them on their missions. The fourth contribution was to Ocean Opportunities run by Michael Lombardi, in conjunction with the U.S. Warfighters Association. They will be sponsoring veterans on ocean exploration missions for the next 30 years in your honor. I know you will be there to keep them safe during their experiences. The fifth contribution was to the RI VA Home. They are in the process of redoing the physical therapy unit and the game room. They will be named in your memory and will remain so for eternity. I know that when the veterans that are using those facilities need the extra push to finish a workout session you will be there to give them what they need. It is what you do best. You were a born leader that always made people believe in themselves. Dad (your modern day hero) and I have been sending packages to your "boys" in Afghanistan with a special hello from you. Your classic "Corona on the beach" picture accompanied the last overseas packages. You, as always, have your famous smile that brings out the softer side of people. In addition to your military comrades, we did give a donation to your cousin Matthew's fund. Matthew as you know was confined to a wheel chair with a condition known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). He has just returned from receiving a Ketamine Coma Protocol Treatment in Germany. He has felt some relief but will continue treatments in Philadelphia. He gave me a guardian angel at your services that was blessed by the Pope. He had two, one that he keeps and one that he was saving to give to someone in a time of despair. He felt we needed this special gift to help us through our devastating loss of your precious life. Kerri has it with her now, while she is so far away from home. I told Matthew the night before he left for Germany that you would be with him during his procedure. I do believe you were there giving him strength to get through what he had to endure. Auntie Nancy told me the hospital medevac helicopter in Germany, the "St. Christopher", drove by Matthew's window several times each day. They too believe your spirit was with them. We will continue to honor you, by helping those that serve our country. You will never be forgotten, you will always be my baby boy, and your memory will live on forever. We love you will all our hearts. Finally, because we always had a music connection, I want to leave you with the words to the song, "I Believe" by Diamond Rio. I Believe written by Skip Ewing and Donny Kees Every now and then soft as breath upon my skin, I feel you come back again. And it's like you haven't been gone a moment from my side. Like the tears were never cried. Like the hands of time are holding you and me. And with all my heart I'm sure we're closer than we ever were. I don't have to hear or see, I've got all the proof I need. There are more than angels watching over me. I believe, I believe. That when you die your life goes on. It doesn't end here when you're gone. Every soul is filled with light. It never ends and if I'm right, Our love can even reach across eternity. I believe, I believe. Forever, you're a part of me. Forever, in the heart of me. And I'll hold you even longer if I can. The people who don't see the most, Say that I believe in ghosts. And if that makes me crazy, Then I am. 'cause I believe, There are more than angels watching over me. I believe, I believe. Every now and then soft as breath upon my skin, I feel you come back again. And I believe. Love you angel, Mom, Dad, and Kerri xxxooo

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