By Allison Perrine
MIDDLETOWN – A sea of American flags and posters lined Middletown streets Saturday as neighbors prepared a socially distant welcome home celebration for Army Maj. Matthew Zilinski.
After a nearly 11-month deployment in Kosovo, the married father of three was given a special escort home atop a firetruck, sandwiched between several other Middletown police, fire and first aid vehicles sounding sirens and flashing lights. It was his first time being on a firetruck, his wife Brie Dowens Zilinski told The Two River Times. “He was like a little kid,” she said with a laugh.
But perhaps the sweetest moment of the day was when Zilinski reached his driveway and hopped off the firetruck to embrace his three young daughters. Finally, he, his wife and their girls were a complete family again.
“It feels great being home,” Zilinski said, adding that his community went “above and beyond” to welcome him home. It was especially moving to see the outpouring of support at a time when people are practicing social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“To see that and to see everyone’s smiling faces, that they were able to rally together during these times and bring some joy and happiness – there’s nothing to really say about it. It was just outstanding to see.”
The idea for the welcome home celebration gained momentum after Brie posted on Facebook asking neighbors to put up some signs for her husband’s return. From there, things went “viral,” she said. Mayor Tony Perry got word of his return and was able to turn the event into something much more than a few signs, with the help of the township committee and the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II Memorial Fund, named in honor of Matthew’s brother who died in 2005 while serving in Iraq.
Brie picked her husband up from Bordentown Saturday morning, where the National Guard armory is located. It is the safest place for the families to gather at this time instead of a main base, she said.
From there, their first stop was Middletown Town Hall where Matthew was greeted by police, firemen and a round of applause. Perry gifted him a plaque with a flag that the town had flown in his honor. The procession then drove west on Kings Highway, across Route 35 at Harmony Road, and finally to Kenneth Terrace East where the family resides.
“I think we’re still in a bit of a shock about the outcome of it,” Brie said, about “how nice it was to see how many people really came out to show support for my husband and my family too. It was a great day.”
Middletown resident Patti Bottone Manuelli went out for a bike ride that Saturday when she stumbled upon the celebration unknowingly. With her house close to the celebration route, Manuelli said she was surprised and excited to see the number of decorative signs, decorations and neighbors out to support Zilinski’s return.
“The kids were just beaming, all the kids who obviously made the posters, and they were hanging them out of the sides of their cars,” she said. “It was very inspiring.”
Zilinski, a member of the Army National Guard, is also a policeman in Howell Township. He graduated from Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) in Middletown in 2002 and continued his education at Norwich University, a military college. His late brother Dennis also attended CBA. His legacy now lives on through the Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created and founded by close friends in order to honor his memory and spirit.
Overall, Perry said the welcome home celebration was perfect for the “American and Middletown hero.”
“To everyone who put out a sign, banner or flag along the route, thank you,” he shared. “Welcome home, Major.”
This article originally appeared in the April 9th, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
