Professional Solutions, LLC, (ProSol) a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, is excited to be hosting our 4th annual charity golf tournament on Friday, August 15, 2008 at Fort Belvoir Golf Club. Proceeds from this year's event will benefit the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund and The George Washington University Breast Care Center. Donations to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund will be made in memory of Major Doug Zembiec, who lost his life in the defense of our Nation on 10 May, 2007.
Your participation and generous contributions will help ProSol to reach this year's lofty goal of $50,000, which will assist Marines in need as well as aid in the research and treatment of breast cancer. We hope you will consider contributing to these worthy causes.
For more information about the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund or to make a donation in memory of Major Doug Zembiec/ProSol Charity Golf Tournament, please visit www.semperfifund.org. If you would like to make a gift to the GW Breast Care Center go to www.gwu.edu/cancer_institute. When making your donation to the GW Cancer Institute, please write "Breast Care Center" when asked which specific program in the GW Cancer Institute you wish to contribute. More information about the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund and The George Washington University Breast Care Center can be accessed thru the "News" tab on this website.
In Memory of Major Doug Zembiec, USMC
April 14, 1973 - May 10, 2007
Major Douglas A. Zembiec, a highly decorated Marine and 1995 Naval Academy graduate was killed on his fourth combat tour in Iraq while leading a raid on insurgents in Baghdad on May 10, 2007.
Doug was widely admired among Marines.
"We can dispute the politics of any war -- Iraq, Afghanistan or any others," said Bing West, author of two books about combat Marines in Iraq, "but we cannot dispute our need for warriors. Doug was our guardian." Known as the "Lion of Fallujah", Doug led numerous assaults against insurgents in the Sunni Triangle city of Fallujah in 2004 that earned him the Bronze Star with Valor and two Purple Heart Medals. Bloodied by shrapnel, Zembiec led his troops in combat so close that the two sides were hurling grenades from 20 feet apart. He later took part in low-profile combat operations in Afghanistan to thwart the resurging Taliban.
Sgt. Maj. William Skiles, who fought beside Zembiec at Fallujah, said he inspired great loyalty among his troops. "An entire company of Marines would trade places with him right now," Skiles said from Camp Pendleton. "They would put down their lives for him."
Zembiec was a star wrestler at the U.S. Naval Academy and was recently inducted into the NCAA Wrestling "Hall of Fame". While attending the academy, Doug decided he wanted to be a Marine because, in his words, "I wanted to be a defender, defending my country."
During the eulogy, his best friend Eric Kapitulik read from notebooks that Zembiec had kept:
"Be a man of principle. Fight for what you believe in. Keep your word. Live with integrity. Be brave. Believe in something bigger than yourself. Serve your country. Teach. Mentor. Give something back to society. Lead from the front. Conquer your fears," Kapitulik read.
"Be a good friend. Be humble but be self-confident. Appreciate your friends and family. Be a leader and not a follower. Be valorous on the field of battle and take responsibility for your actions," Kapitulik continued.
"That is the most fitting description of Doug I have ever heard or read. And it should be. He knew its author the longest," said Kapitulik.
At the end of this notebook entry Zembiec had written, "Principles my father taught me."
During an emotional speech to the Marine Corps Association in July 2007, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates noted the heroism and bravery Doug displayed in combat as a symbol of the very best our Nation has to offer. In November, 2007, Doug was postumously awarded the Silver Star for his exceptional service to the United States Marine Corps and our nation.
He is survived by his wife, Pamela, and their 2-year-old daughter, Fallyn, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Don Zembiec, and his brother.
